I teach postgraduate courses, plant biotechnology and microbiology. My pioneering work on biocontrol was recognized by the World Bank as technology transfer for economic development and innovation in diagnostic PCRs, molecular probes, and genome announcements of beneficial microbes has contributed to sustainable agriculture. I bagged patents (US #10/888,789,008; IN #243949) for a novel dimeric phenazine and reported new bioactive phloroglucinols, polyketides, and peptides.

My research team developed a cost-effective hormone-pulse micropropagation technology for banana and identified nicotine-degrading Pseudomonas, novel biodegradation pathways, and intermediate nicotine biomarkers. We reported anticancer metabolites and CO-releasing molecules and delineated molecular interactions with DNA and human serum proteins and pioneered in green synthesis of biogenic nanoparticles, and nanocomposites with potential for agricultural, industrial, and biomedical applications.

My research work received over 11,200 citations, h-index of 47 and i10-index of 92 from 91 research papers and 22 book chapters. I received prestigious recognitions including World Bank’s Robert S. McNamara Fellowship, Rockefeller Foundation’s Biotechnology Postdoctoral and Career Fellowships, Royal Danish Ministry’s Award, DBT Associateship, ICMR Senior Scientist Award, Indo-Swiss Visiting Scientist Award, LEAP (MoE, India), and Best Teacher Award citation from Lt. Governor of Govt. of Puducherry.

I have served in academic leadership roles, review boards, expert committees (UGC, DBT, DST), biosafety panels, and review committee on genetic manipulations (RCGM) of DBT. As a peer reviewer for 50+ journals, adjudicator of PhD theses, and assessor for national research proposals and selection committee member for faculty recruitments and promotions, I continue to contribute to achieve scientific and educational excellence.

Molecular-Plant Microbe Interactions, Biological Metabolites and Nanomaterials