DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE/AGRICULTURE

Bio

Dr. Samriti earned her PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. Her work involves the assessment of genetic diversity and transcriptomics analysis of horticultural crops. Dr. Samriti completed her MSc in Biotechnology from the same university and her BSc from Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab. She qualified for the NET exam in 2016.

She began her teaching career on 26 December 2017 at the Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran, Mohali, where she taught subjects related to agricultural biotechnology and plant tissue culture. After leaving CGC, Landran, she started working at the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, Haryana. Currently, Dr. Samriti is serving as an Assistant Professor at the University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India.

To date, Dr. Samriti has published 34 research articles (20 SCI index and 14 Scopus), 2 books, 7 book chapters, 6 popular articles, and one patent. She has attended several training programs organized by UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, Kumaun University, Nainital (Uttarakhand), DBT, Govt. of India, ICAR, and others.

Dr. Samriti is a regular reviewer for journals such as BMC Genomics, Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, Discover Plants, Discover Agriculture, Scientific Reports, MDPI, and more. She has also participated in various national and international conferences, earning the best oral presentation award at a national conference on “Cutting Edge Research and Innovation in Biotechnology and Other Life Sciences” in 2019.

Dr. Samriti’s research focuses on the genetic relationships between varieties/species/cultures and the analysis of transcriptomic data to identify genes present in crop plants and how their expression changes due to environmental conditions.

Education

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni
• MSc in Biotechnology – Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni
• BSc – Panjab University, Chandigarh

Awards and Honors

• Best Oral Presentation Award – National Conference, “Cutting Edge Research and Innovation in Biotechnology and Other Life Sciences” (2019)

Research Focus

Dr. Samriti’s research primarily focuses on:

• Genetic relationships between varieties, species, and cultures of horticultural crops
• Analysis of transcriptomic data to identify genes in crop plants and their expression changes under varying environmental conditions

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India

Publications
1 patent, 34 research articles (20 SCI index and 14 Scopus), 2 books, 7 book chapters, 6 popular articles

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Bio

Dr. Minakshi Padhi is currently serving as a Young Professional in the Department of Horticulture at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, U.P. She is engaged in a research project titled “Water and Nutrient Management through Drip Irrigation for Better Plant Growth and Quality Production of Rose and Gerbera,” funded by the Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR), Lucknow. Dr. Padhi’s responsibilities in this project include the comprehensive management of research activities, such as data collection, analysis, result interpretation, and meticulous documentation.

Dr. Padhi earned her Ph.D. in Horticulture from BHU in 2022, where she focused her research on the “Effect of Physical and Chemical Mutagens on Gladiolus Varieties and Studies on Induced Mutants.” Her work led to the development of 11 gladiolus mutants, which are currently undergoing the registration and release process. She also holds a Master of Science (Ag.) degree in Horticulture (2016), where she researched the “In-Vitro Propagation of Lasora (Cordia myxa Roxb.) Using Nodal Segments,” providing her with specialized expertise in tissue culture. Dr. Padhi is also ICAR NET-qualified in Floriculture and received a UGC fellowship during her Ph.D. program.

She has contributed significantly to the field with 29 research papers in NASS-rated journals, 17 book chapters, 42 abstracts, and 6 scientific articles in both Hindi and English. She has actively participated in numerous seminars, symposiums, and conferences across India and has been recognized for her research and presentations.

Education

• Ph.D. in Horticulture (2022)
  Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P.
  Dissertation: Effect of Physical and Chemical Mutagens on Gladiolus Varieties and Studies on Induced Mutants
• M.Sc. (Ag.) in Horticulture (2016)
  Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P.
  Thesis: In-Vitro Propagation of Lasora (Cordia myxa Roxb.) Using Nodal Segments
• ICAR NET (Floriculture)

Awards and Honors

• Best Paper Award (Oral)
  International Conference on Agriculture, Allied Sciences, and Biotechnology for the Sustainability of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Security, BHU, Varanasi, 2017.
• Best Oral Presentation Award
  Several international and national seminars and conferences.
• Judge
  Divisional Vegetable, Fruit, and Flower Show (Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Uttar Pradesh) and Flower Show (Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi), including the 2024 event.
• UGC Fellowship
  Awarded during her Ph.D. program.

Research Focus

Dr. Padhi’s research interests lie in the areas of horticulture, mutation technology, plant biotechnology, and tissue culture. Her doctoral research focused on mutagenesis and the development of improved gladiolus varieties through physical and chemical mutagens. She has also worked on improving propagation methods for economically important species such as Lasora (Cordia myxa Roxb.). Currently, her research includes optimizing water and nutrient management systems using drip irrigation to enhance the growth and quality production of ornamental plants like rose and gerbera.

Academic Appointments

• Young Professional
  Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P.
• Researcher and Educator
  Specializing in horticulture, plant biotechnology, and agricultural research methodologies, Dr. Padhi is passionate about disseminating knowledge through online education platforms, contributing her expertise to a wider audience.

Publications

• Research Papers: 29 published in NASS-rated journals.
• Book Chapters: 17 chapters in academic and reference books.
• Abstracts: 42 abstracts in national and international conferences.
• Scientific Articles: 6 articles published in Hindi and English on various horticultural topics.