Postdoctoral Fellow / April, 2021 —
Present
My postdoctoral research
focuses on optimizing
phosphorus use efficiency and
improving abiotic stress
tolerance in chickpea, which
has strengthened my expertise
in managing nutrient
limitations and plant
resilience—key factors in
sustainable agriculture. By
working with interspecific
chickpea seeds and
implementing a hydroponic
system, I’ve developed
advanced skills in
plant-soilless culture
techniques, which are useful
for indoor farming and
controlled environment
agriculture. My work with
various pathogens, such as
screening for ascochyta blight
and blossom blight resistance,
has given me a solid
foundation in plant pathology
and disease management. This
experience is critical when
developing resilient crop
varieties, a skill that I
believe will benefit students
in practical and theoretical
plant biology courses.
PhD student/Graduate
Research Assistant / May, 2014 —
December, 2020
During Ph.D. research I have
covered several critical areas
including nutritional
enhancement through iron
fortification: I worked on
iron (Fe) fortification and
biofortification in chickpea,
addressing micronutrient
deficiencies. This research is
highly relevant for improving
the nutritional profile of
staple crops, contributing to
food security and addressing
iron deficiency, which is a
common issue globally. Through
these projects, I developed
expertise in both food
fortification and
biofortification, which are
significant fields within
plant science and food
security. This combination
aligns with current goals in
agricultural research to
produce healthier and more
resilient crops.
Sessional Lecturer / January, 2024 —
April, 2024
In my role as a sessional
lecturer in Post-Harvest
Management of Horticultural
Crops, I likely covered key
topics such as the physiology
of harvested crops, handling
and storage techniques,
quality assessment, and
strategies to minimize
post-harvest losses. This
position would involve
teaching students the
principles of maintaining the
quality and extending the
shelf life of fruits,
vegetables, and other
perishable crops through
efficient management
practices. I have also
emphasized sustainable
approaches to reduce food
waste and improve supply chain
efficiency, bridging the gap
between production and
consumption in horticulture.
Guest Lecturer / September, 2015 —
Present
As a guest lecturer in
Tropical Crops of the World, I
have contributed insights into
the unique growth
requirements, economic
importance, and challenges
related to cultivating
tropical crops, covering crops
like jute, coffee, tea, and
spice crops among others. This
role likely involved
discussing sustainable
practices, climate
adaptability, and the
socio-economic impact of
tropical agriculture globally.
In Applied Plant
Biotechnology, I have covered
advanced biotechnological
tools and techniques for crop
improvement, including
association analysis, marker
assisted selection, etc. This
role required knowledge of how
biotechnology can address
agricultural issues such as
pest resistance, nutrient
enhancement, and crop yield
improvement, providing
students with a foundation for
practical applications in crop
science.
Teaching Assistant / September, 2016 —
December, 2020
As a Teaching Assistant for
Tropical Crops of the World,
Global Plant Genetic
Resources, and Plant
Physiology, I guided students
through complex topics,
provided practical insights,
and supported lab sessions or
discussion groups. In Tropical
Crops of the World, I have
introduced students to the
diversity, significance, and
cultivation of tropical crops,
focusing on their roles in
global food systems. In Global
Plant Genetic Resources, I
helped students understand the
importance of conserving and
managing genetic resources for
food security and
biodiversity. Meanwhile, in
Plant Physiology, I supported
students’ understanding of
essential plant functions,
from photosynthesis to
nutrient uptake, reinforcing
foundational concepts in plant
science.
Judge / November, 2021 —
March, 2024
As a judge at the SURE Fall
2021 Research Symposium, I
evaluated posters on topics
such as plant-based diets and
breakfast consumption,
highlighting my knowledge of
nutritional sciences. My role
at the Soils and Crops
Conference, where I assessed
posters in soils and plant
sciences, emphasized my
expertise in soil-plant
interactions and crop
sciences. Additionally,
judging at the Plant Science
Graduate Student Symposium in
categories like plant
breeding, genetics, and
biotechnology allowed me to
contribute to advancing
innovation in plant research
through critical evaluation
and feedback.