Present Position: Group Leader

Highest Education Qualification: Ph.D., NIPGR, New Delhi.

Research Goal: Working towards the sustainable greener tomorrow by utilizing the high throughput technologies of science and technology.

About me: I have always been deeply curious about various aspects of life. This curiosity has continued to drive me along my scientific journey. I am fascinated by the dynamic interplay among various signaling pathways under stressful conditions. My research interest involves unraveling the intricate molecular mechanisms behind plants’ responses to harsh environments. I aspire to significantly contribute to an in-depth understanding of plant stress biology to generate climate-resilient crops with better yields. Stress-resilient crops are more likely to adapt to climate change, decrease food security, and be farmed sustainably. Collaborating with the scientific community, I hope to minimize global challenges, including food security and sustainability.

https://genestogenomes.org/early-career-leadership-spotlight-divya-mishra/ 

https://nipgr.ac.in/nipgrv2/dr_dmishra.html 

https://www.ils.res.in/ibric-scientists/view_profile.php?sci_id=Mjc1 

Fun Facts: I cherish activities like binge‑watching, traveling, and running - pastimes that are increasingly rare now that I’m fully occupied caring for my daughter.

Official contact: divya.mishra@nipgr.ac.in 

Present Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow (DBT-Research Associate)

Highest Education Qualification: Ph.D., DPMB, University of Delhi.

Research Goal: Investigating chromatin organization dynamics in Arabidopsis thaliana under high temperature stress

About me: Civilization, they say began the day humans learned to grow crops, a perspective I wholeheartedly believe. That pivotal moment marked not just the beginning of agriculture but also the birth of science and sustenance. Plants are fascinating! Rooted in soil, yet full of life. Self-surviving. Sustaining life on earth. My passion for plant science took root in a small town located in Manipur, where agriculture is not just a means of livelihood but a way of life, deeply woven in our culture. To explore this interest, I pursued my MSc and Ph.D. in plant molecular biology at the University of Delhi. During my Ph.D., I explored the molecular mechanisms behind heat stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches, uncovering key genes and metabolites involved in pathways underlying thermotolerance. Currently, I am working as a DBT-RA at the Stress Resilience Lab, NIPGR, delving into chromatin organization under heat stress. I’m still learning, driven by curiosity and a deep-rooted passion to understand how plants adapt, survive, and thrive.

Fun Facts: A cat mom who loves good books, eclectic music and the occasional karaoke session.

Official contact: rinchuilashimphrui@nipgr.ac.in 

Present Position: Post Doctoral Fellow in Gates Foundation Project.

Highest Education Qualification: Ph.D., Plant Biology and Biotechnology, NIPGR.

Research Goal: Understanding the role of negative regulator(s) of high temperature stress in chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) by using the gene-editing technologies

About me: I am a dedicated, curious, and easy-going person with a good academic background and a deep interest in scientific research. My focus has been on plant physiology and molecular biology, and I have always approached my studies with hard work and honesty. During my PhD, I explored how salicylic acid and glucose interact in plants, especially during growth and stress conditions. As a student, I’ve shown a strong desire to learn, think critically, and make meaningful contributions. I believe in discipline, teamwork, and solving problems values that guide me in both research and academics.

Fun Facts: When I am not in the lab, I enjoy most of my free time binge watching shows and movies of almost any genre.  

Official contact: sanjayrawat4595@gmail.com, sanjay@nipgr.ac.in 

Present Position: Senior Project Associate 

Highest Education Qualification: PhD in Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh.

Research Goal: My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of improved and climate-resilient crop varieties using modern biotechnological approaches. I aspire to conduct impactful research that addresses agricultural challenges, enhances crop productivity, and contributes to food security

About me: I am from Dhiroul, a small village in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh, and come from a humble family. My father worked as a trammer in coal mines and was the only earning member of our family. Despite financial difficulties, I was determined to continue my education and became the first person from the Vanspati community in my village to earn a PhD degree. My interest in plant sciences began at an early age. During my M.Sc., I carried out my dissertation research at JNU, New Delhi, where I was introduced to scientific research. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in research. After completing my master's degree, I joined NIPGR as a Junior Research Fellow and later worked as a Project Associate-II. There, I worked on Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in chickpea, which strengthened my interest in plant biotechnology. I completed my PhD at IGNTU, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Through my research, I gained experience in plant stress biology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.

Today, as the sole earning member of my family, Dr Poonam Vanspati, I am committed to using science to improve agriculture. My goal is to develop more robust crop varieties that help farmers and contribute to food security.

Fun Facts: I enjoy exploring new places and trying new foods. I have good photography skills.

Official contact: poonamvanspati7878@gmail.com 

Present Position: PhD Graduate Student (DBT Fellow)

Highest Education Qualification: M.Sc. Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Research Goal: Understand the role of RNA-binding protein in heat stress tolerance in chickpea.

About me: My life’s journey began in Jaunpur, a small city in Uttar Pradesh, with a supportive family who always encouraged curiosity. Early on, watching my parent’s dedication inspired my own work ethic. In high school, an inspiring biology teacher sparked my fascination with the microscopic world, and soon I was dreaming of unraveling the mysteries of cells and genes.

When I moved to BHU, that journey shaped me both personally and academically. It was filled with new responsibilities, many late-night study sessions, and an occasional setback. My passion for science deepened when I joined the laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Microbiology for dissertation, under the supervision of Dr. Rajeshwar P. Sinha at BHU, who encouraged me and guided me to pursue a PhD. My PhD journey so far has not been without its share of obstacles from failed experiments and long hours in the lab to moments of self-doubt. However, each challenge has only strengthened my perseverance and deepened my passion for discovery.

Today, I value empathy, curiosity, and collaboration. I’m grateful for every challenge and hope to contribute meaningful insights to science, inspiring others along the way.

Fun Facts: I am a solitudinarian who enjoys collecting unique coins and absolutely loves learning and sharing quirky science facts with anyone interested. 

Official contact: swapnilsri052@nipgr.ac.in 

Present Position: PhD Graduate Student (CSIR Fellow)

Highest Education Qualification: M.Sc. Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Research Goal: Investigating the role of high temperature in root nodule symbiosis in legumes

About me: I completed my Bachelor’s in Botany at Utkal University, Odisha, then deepened my passion for plant sciences during my Master’s studies at the Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University. This pursuit of knowledge led me to join the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) as a PhD student. However, seeking opportunities that better aligned with my research interests and goals, I decided to leave my PhD program at BARC and subsequently began my PhD journey anew at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) in 2024. Throughout this journey, my path has been defined by passion, perseverance, and an unquenchable curiosity qualities that continually fuel both my growth and my joy in di bi  Jiscovery. Every chapter, from village to research institute, has shaped my journey, which I find profoundly rewarding and blissful.

Fun Facts: Nature’s mysteries keep me joyfully enchanted.

Official contact: rakeshkumar@nipgr.ac.in 

Present Position:PhD Graduate Student (CSIR Fellow)

Highest Qualification: M.Sc. Botany, Delhi University, New Delhi, India.

Research Goal: Utilize my strong background in biotechnology to develop improved crop varieties that directly contribute to global food security. 

About me:  I belong to Himachal Pradesh, where I completed my senior secondary education. Pursuing a Bachelor’s and then a Master’s in Botanical Science opened my eyes to the many perspectives of life. In my undergraduate years, I learned to see the details that connect all living things; in my final semester of the Master’s program, I found myself especially drawn to the mysteries that science reveals in plants. After completing my Master’s, I began preparing for the JRF. That phase deepened my fascination with human imagination—how people imagine something extraordinary and then bring it into reality. When I secured the JRF, I joined NIPGR as a PhD scholar, ready to push boundaries and ask harder questions. I live by the belief that “the only easy day was yesterday.” Each new day deserves meaning, and I approach it with perseverance, faith, kindness, compassion  and hard work.

Today, I am driven by the unanswered questions in plant biology, especially in how plants cope with stress. I am committed to uncovering new insights and contributing meaningfully to the field.

Fun Facts: I like writing poetry, reading books sometimes, talking to people and watching podcasts.

Official contact: abhaybanyal01@gmail.com 

Present Position:Junior Research Fellow

Highest Qualification: M.Sc. (Genetics), Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus.

Research Goal: To decipher the role of RNA-binding proteins in plant responses to high-temperature stress. 

About me:  I earned my Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science, where I first developed a fascination for genetics, which inspired me to pursue an M.Sc. in Genetics. During my master's dissertation, I worked with yeast to isolate temperature-sensitive mutants. I later worked as a Project Associate-I in the Department of Genetics, University of Delhi. My curiosity to explore different areas of genetics and molecular biology eventually led me to the Stress Resilience Lab, where I am investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to heat stress. 

Fun Facts: Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring history, religion, linguistics, and diverse cuisines, and I love experimenting in the kitchen. 

Official contact: kk4405516@gmail.com