Dr. Poonam Kumari is a professor of Noida International University, Greater Noida and works as an Assistant Professor of Ancient Indian History and Buddhist Studies. She was given a Ph.D. in Centre of Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and her work was on the ideals and practices of monastic Buddhism in the Western Deccan (c. 2nd century BCE6th century CE) under the guidance of Prof. Kumkum Roy.  Her research focuses on Buddhist monastic traditions, epigraphy, donation practices (dāna), and early Indian religious institutions. She is also an author of articles in reputed journals as well as the editor of volumes and papers in national and international conferences. She is also interested in the Indian Knowledge Systems, heritage studies, and Buddhist textual traditions in terms of her academic interests.