Molecular Biology Ph D, Plant Biotechnology

Suhasini Venkatesan

Email: *****.*****@*****.***

Phone: +1-857-***-**** (USA)

Date of Birth: July 2, 1991

Nationality: Indian

Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil

Objective

A highly motivated and skilled researcher in Biotechnology with 9 years of research experience in plant molecular biology, genetic mapping, and marker-assisted breeding. Seeking a research position to contribute my expertise in an innovative, multidisciplinary research environment.

Education

Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2025)

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Thesis Title: EMS-induced Mutations for Wheat Improvement and Their Detection by TILLING

M.Sc. in Biotechnology (2014)

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Thesis Title: Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Rhizobacteria B.Sc. in Biotechnology (2012)

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Thesis Title: The Effect of Perchlorate on Different Plants Research Experience

Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India

(October 2014 – Present)

• Led multiple research projects focused on wheat improvement, including genetic mapping, marker-assisted selection, and QTL mapping.

• Investigated abiotic stress tolerance, disease resistance, and other important traits using cutting-edge molecular techniques such as SSR, AFLP, ISSR, and RAPD.

• Managed and mentored graduate and undergraduate students, facilitating successful hands-on training in molecular biology techniques. Key Projects

• Mapping QTL/Genes for Resistance to Spot Blotch (October 2014 – October 2017) Explored genetic resistance in durum wheat to Bipolaris sorokiniana.

• Development of TILLING Resource in Indian Durum Wheat (Bijaga Yellow)

(October 2017 – July 2020)

Created a TILLING platform for reverse-genetic studies in durum wheat.

• Pyramiding of Rust Resistance Genes into Wheat Lines (December 2020 – March 2021)

Used marker-assisted selection to enhance rust resistance in wheat with high grain quality.

• Fine Mapping for Dwarfing Genes Rht 14 and Rht 18 (March 2021 – December 2023)

Focused on developing semidwarf wheat genotypes suitable for conservation agriculture.

Technical Expertise

• Molecular Biology Techniques:

Molecular markers (SSR, AFLP, ISSR, RAPD), DNA sequencing, cloning, genome mapping, QTL mapping.

• Plant Breeding & Genetics:

Self-pollinated crop breeding, marker-assisted selection, genetic resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses.

• Software Skills:

MapMaker/Exp 3.0, Mapchart 2.1, QTL Cartographer, GraphPad Prism 8.0, Agrobase, Basic R Software for statistical analysis. Publications

• Parimal Vikhe, Suhasini Venkatesan, Ajit Chavan, Shubhada Tamhankar, Ravindra Patil (2019) Mapping of dwarfing gene Rht14 in durum wheat and its effect on seedling vigor, internode length and plant height. THE CROP JOURNAL 7 (2019) 187–197, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2018.11.004

• Suhasini Venkatesan, Ravindra Patil, Manoj D. Oak (2023) Marker-assisted breeding for abiotic stress tolerance in wheat crop. In Mohd. Kamran Khan, Anamika Pandey, Mehmet Hamurcu, Om Prakash Gupta, Sait Gezgin (eds), Abiotic Stresses in Wheat, Pages 51-65, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95368-9.00012-6 Awards & Distinctions

• AWSAR Award – Best Science Story among top 100, Ph.D. category

• National Eligibility Test (NET) – Qualified for lectureship in Life Sciences (CSIR- UGC, Dec 2013)

• GATE Examination – Qualified (2014)

Training & Workshops

• International Conference on Genomics and Breeding for Crop Improvement, CCS University, Meerut, Dec 2019

• ARI Students’ Online Symposium, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, Sept-Oct 2020

• International Conference on Current Trends and Future Prospects of Plant Biology, University of Hyderabad, 2023

Teaching Experience

• Trained multiple M.Sc. students in molecular biology techniques, guiding them through independent research projects that have contributed to their academic success. References

• Dr. Ravindra Patil

Scientist E, Genetics and Plant Breeding Group

Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India

Email: *******@*******.***

• Dr. Manoj D. Oak

Scientist E, Genetics and Plant Breeding Group

Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India

Email: *****@*******.***

• Dr. Vitthal Barvkar

Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Email: ********@*****.***

• Dr. Narendra Kadoo

Chair & Sr. Principal Scientist, Biochemical Sciences Division National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India

Email: **.*****@***.***.**

Contact this candidate