Kanchana is a Data Science and Remote Sensing Intern in the Global Restoration Initiative. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Forestry and Natural Resources and Integrative Conservation Ph.D. Program at the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on employing interdisciplinary approaches to examine social and bio-physical trade-offs associated with forest-based ecosystem services in the Southern United States.

In the past, Kanchana worked on Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration program in World Resources Institute India (WRI India). During her tenure, she played a key role in mapping, monitoring, and conducting research to integrate the ROAM framework and scale up landscape restoration efforts in India. Kanchana was also part of Cities4Forests, an urban forestry initiative. She has also interned with the Forest-PLUS program in India to analyze the policy constraints to promote forestry-based livelihoods with focus on agroforestry and non-timber forest produce.

Kanchana holds Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management from the Indian Institute of Forest Management, specializing in Environment Management. She is also an alumnus of Alagappa College of Technology, Anna University.

In her free time, Kanchana finds joy in various hobbies and activities. She particularly enjoys hiking, traveling, swimming, cooking, and exploring traditional foods.