| Position |
Chief Scientist
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| Affiliation |
CSIR-IHBT
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| Location |
nan
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| Current Role |
Scientist
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| Area of Research |
Himalayan region has rich bioresource including microbes with unique potential. My present research area is focused on understanding rhizomicrobiome of high altitude medicinal plants. The secondary metabolite production of medicinal plants is often influenced by rhizomicrobiome and it is very interesting to unravel the key factors involved in plant-PGPR interaction and their impact of on host metabolite production. For making prudential use of bioresource, it is desired to harness the potential of PGPR for promoting growth of commercially important plants. Our lab is also involved in developing technology of microbial based safe bioformulations for sustainable agriculture. Proactive actions are taken towards sensitizing farmers on use of natural/organic agri-inputs. Nurturing entrepreneurship in the area of biofertilizer and skill development is aggressively pursued. I am keenly interested in understanding plant-pathogen interaction through bioinformatics and wet lab studies.
R&D Management: Keenly involved in developing in house online processes for good governance, information processing and analysis for decision making processes to improve institutional output; content structuring for website; building knowledge repository of institute and knowledge management. Promotion of innovation management and IPR issue.
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| UG |
Botany, 1989 Women's Christian College Chennai
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| PG |
Botany, 1991 M.S. University Baroda
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| PhD |
1995 Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur
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| Awards |
CSIR Innovation award from CSIR (lab level)
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| Significant Contribution |
Research Management:
For Strategic Planning Prepared Annual Plans of Institute, supported in framing of Institutional document for NITI Ayog,; Prepared Institutional performance report for Apex Committee Meeting. Facilitated in conductance of a series of a SWOT analysis of the institute and compiled report after thorough analysis for improving Institutional performance. Facilitated in initiating new research areas like food technology, regulatory studies and setting up of High Altitude Research lab(CeHAB) at Lahaul –Spiti(H.P). As Head Business Development facilitated in transfer of technologies and distribution of royalties. Strengthened image building through website management and social media. For transparency and good governance Streamlined Institutional processes through i) Creation of online tools For Knowledge Management: created several databases of: projects undertaken; completed projects with their outputs; patents and papers published; database of, manpower etc. As Management Representative upgraded institutional accreditation to ISO 9001: 2008. As Public Information Officer furnished information to institutional queries since inception of the law. Supported in conducting audits of the Institute. Organized science camps under CPYLS and INSPIRE for school children, conducted training programmes for graduates and postgraduates
Research and Development: Developed technology for production of biofertilizer. Isolated and characterized PGPRs associated with medicinal plants of Himalayas. Assessed impact of biofertilizer saffron and vegetables in farmers’ field. Studying influence of biofertilizer in imparting tolerance against biotic and abiotic stress. Isolated Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from high altitude plants and tea. Characterized tea germplasm for their susceptibility or resistance against blister blight. Using bioinformatics tools analyzed different types of PR proteins.
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| Bio |
Graduated in Botany from Women’s Christian College Chennai and was awarded Alma Stokey Prize for the best student. Completed Post graduation from M.S. University Baroda and Ph.D from Rani Durgavati University Jabalpur in Botany. Has Postdoctoral experience in the area of Promoting Plant growth and development through microbial interventions. In 1999 joined as Scientist-C in the area of Scientist Information at CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur (H.P) and became Chief scientist in 2017. In 2005 assumed the responsibility the Head of Planning Division. Also served in the capacity of Head IT, Head Business Development Unit, member Patent committee, Management Representative for ISO, and Secretary of Research Council. Presently discharging the duty of Public Information Officer of IHBT under RTI act. With career spanning across 20 years, has wide experience in: Project Planning and Monitoring, Innovation management, Intellectual Property Rights, Techno-economics assessment, technology pricing and technology transfer. Streamlined Institutional processes by developing several Online systems. With support from IT team developed online systems for purchase which included online indenting and monitoring system for all the purchases of the institute, for this effort the team received the lab level CSIR Innovation award; further the team developed over 20 Online systems for facilitating official procedures. Laid the foundation of Knowledge management at lab level. facilitated in formulation of international collaborative projects and overseas exchange of scientists. Held responsibility of coordinator of Bioinformatics Infrastructure facility (BIF) supported by DBT. Actively involved in nurturing entrepreneurship in biofertilizer HRD- Ph.D: 1 submitted; M.Phil: 1 (underway) MSc. 3 (biofertilizer), 7 (R&D management) and 5 (computer application). Incubatee: one incubate completed training under Chief Ministers Fund for Start Up (Directorate of Industries, HP). Apart from preparation of Plan documents and Annual reports has 12 publications in R&D.
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| Primary Role |
Research;Science Administration;Entrepreneurship development
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| Leadership |
Head Planning Project Monitoring and Evaluation Cell, Head IT, Head Business Development Unit, Head Photography Unit, Management Representative under ISO, Secretary Research Council, Member patent committee, Coordinator of Bioinformatics Infrastructure facility (BIF) supported by DBT and Public Information Officer of Institute.
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| Twitter |
nan
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| Contact |
aparna@ihbt.res.in
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