Research Keywords

Research Experiences

Ph.D. thesis project at Michigan Tech 

Supervised by Dr. Carsten Külheim

Currently, I am working on the genetics basis of climatic adaptation, and tree secondary metabolite production using genetics and genomics approaches such as NGS technologies and bioinformatics tools. Specifically, I am working on the genetic architecture and transcriptomic signature of Eucalyptus and Oak species to identify specific genomic regions related to plant secondary metabolites production and climatic adaptation through Genome sequencing, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and RNA sequencing.

Figure adapted from the poster presented on GSA Conference PEQG22: Population, Evolutionary, and Quantitative Genetics Conference; Pacific Grove, California, USA

I am also working on the project "Social implications of genetically improved trees: assessing public and forest owner attitudes and risk perceptions" (Funded by USDA-NIFA, AFRI) where I am focusing on a meta-analysis of tree genetic improvement studies, ranging from traditional tree breeding to genetic engineering of disease or pest resistant trees and trees with altered wood properties or enhanced growth, or trees that are better able to withstand abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, or cold. 

Figure adapted from the poster presented on ASPB Plant Biology 2023, Savannah, Georgia; Graduate Research Colloquium, and 17th Annual ESC Student Research Forum at Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA

Ph.D. thesis project at AGIS, CAAS

"Resistance mechanism of several major lepidopteran pests to Bacillus thuringiensis protein" - Supervised by Prof. Dr. Yutao Xiao

I focused on the genetic basis of insect resistance to Bt proteins and insecticides. I studied how insects evolve and develop resistance to transgenic Bt crops, their monitoring, and management strategies. Especially, I focused on the identification of Bt vegetative insecticidal proteins Vip3A receptor and resistant mechanism of devastating agricultural insect pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda, Agrotis ipsilon, and Helicoverpa armigera to Vip3A protein. I used the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tool to study the function of the proposed Vip3A receptor Scavenger Receptor-C in S. frugiperda. 

I also worked on insect ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters, which are involved in the detoxification of insecticidal crystal proteins. I knocked out the insect ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter gene to study their involvement in Bt toxin resistance in H. armigera. I was also involved in the study of the genetic structure of S. frugiperda to identify the genetic basis of its resistance to insecticides

M.S. thesis project at BSMRAU 

"Combining ability and heterosis for yield and related traits in chili" - Supervised by Prof. Dr. A. K. M. Aminul Islam

I worked on Capsicum annuum breeding for both higher yield and nutritional quality traits based on combining ability and heterosis. I studied the genetic diversity of chili genotypes and selected parents with traits related to higher yield and nutritional quality for hybridization. The parents were then used for crossing following the diallel mating design. Then, I selected the superior F1 hybrids for higher yield and nutritional qualities such as capsaicin content, ascorbic acid content, and antioxidant capacity.

I also worked on the project "Breeding Jatropha curcas for seed and oil yield as a source of renewable energy" (Funded by MST-GoB) where my major responsibilities were to collect agronomic data related to higher oilseed yield and analyze biofuel properties of jatropha seed oil. Then I studied the genetic diversity of jatropha genotypes for higher oilseed yield and better biofuel properties 

Photos were taken during my research work at BSMRAU.