Meet Our Team.
We’re a collaborative group of researchers driven by curiosity and a shared passion for plant science and molecular biology. We work together as a team—supporting each other, sharing ideas, and growing through collective effort. From lab experiments to fieldwork—and even designing this website—we bring science, creativity, and a bit of fun to everything we do!
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Dr. Deepak Kumar is an Associate Professor and the driving force behind the lab’s research in molecular biology, bioinformatics, plant physiology, stress resilience, and tissue culture. With over 11 years of research experience, he brings both depth and direction to the team. Known for his open-minded mentorship, Dr. Kumar encourages students to freely explore their ideas and actively supports their participation in workshops, conferences, and career-building opportunities. Always on the lookout for the latest scientific tools and technologies, he ensures the lab stays innovative and collaborative. His door is always open—for questions, ideas, or just a good scientific chat. He has over 50 publications and several awards to his name, including Young Scientist and IBC's Excellent Scholar. His lab is supported by SERB and IoE grants.
Research scholars
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Prashasti Pandey is a Research Scholar investigating the role of MYB transcription factors in mungbean under various environmental stresses—unraveling how plants adapt and respond to challenging conditions. Before her Ph.D., she spent three years at IISER Pune working on chemical ecology and plant-insect interaction studies, which laid a strong interdisciplinary foundation for her current work. With a Master’s in Biotechnology, she blends molecular biology, bioinformatics, and a deep curiosity for plant resilience. Beyond the lab, Prashasti enjoys painting and getting lost in novels. When she’s not elbow-deep in science, she’s probably hosting a scientific event, doodling her next idea, or charming everyone with her infectious energy and people skills.
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Garima Rai is a Research Scholar investigating the role of lipoxygenases in pearl millet under biotic stress—think plant defense with a molecular twist! A tissue culture whiz, Garima has mastered growing pearl millet like a pro and complements her work with bioinformatics and molecular biology. She holds an M.Tech in Biotechnology from AKTU, Lucknow, and spent two years as a Project Associate at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, sharpening her research skills. Known for her vibrant energy, Garima keeps the lab laughing—even cracking jokes mid-bio-writing session.
Anjali Singh is a Research Scholar exploring the identification and characterization of calmodulin-binding proteins and their roles in stress responses in Indian mustard. She integrates bioinformatics and molecular biology tools in her research. Anjali holds a Master’s degree in Botany from Banaras Hindu University and also has a diploma in Japanese. Known as the calmest member of the lab, she enjoys listening to music and taking peaceful evening walks to recharge.
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Shivam Mishra is a Research Scholar on a mission to uncover the roles of prion-like proteins in potato under stress conditions. With a strong grip on molecular biology, bioinformatics, and tissue culture, he blends science with precision and creativity. A Botany postgrad from the University of Allahabad, Shivam is also the lab’s unofficial manager—whether it’s organizing lab chores or helping design this very website (yes, really!). Known for his fun-loving spirit and endless wanderlust, you’ll rarely find him indoors on a weekend—he’s always on the move, chasing new adventures and stories to tell!
Postdoctoral Fellows
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Dr. Khushboo is a DBT-Research Associate in the Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University. She completed her Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the Central University of Haryana, where she investigated pellet formation and lipstatin production in Streptomyces toxytricini, focusing on optimizing microbial morphology for enhanced secondary metabolite yields. Her research interests span bioprocess engineering, microbiology, and Streptomyces biology. Currently, she is exploring the potential of beneficial Streptomyces strains for plant growth promotion and soil health, with an eye toward sustainable agriculture and bioinoculant development. With a strong foundation in fermentation and secondary metabolism, she brings a microbial twist to plant science!
Dr. Khushboo
DBT-RA
Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Sujit Shah (ISRF)
Dr. Richa Srivastava (M-PDF)
Dr. Anchal Garg (RJP-PDF)
Project Students
Akshita Singh
Shivani Kashaudhan
Dissertation Students
Siddharth Maurya
Manisha Shandilya
Bhuvneshwari Sahoo
Anjali Singh
Drusti Rami
Bhoomika
Lokesh
Bharti
Saumya
Raj Bahadur Singh
Shivanika Shukla
Suchismita Satpathy
Kaavya Tiwari
Gagan Nagar
Anshika Devi
Ankit Soni
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Summer Trainees
Manas Tajan
Shristi Gupta​
Akash Patel
Vanshika Govind