Education: B.Sc., PAU, Ludhiana (2003); M.Sc. (Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology), PAU, Ludhiana (2005); Ph.D., Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA (2012)

Positions held: Fruit Molecular Geneticist, PAU Ludhiana (11.03.2014)

Field of Specialization: Molecular Biology, Functional Genomics

Research Interests: Molecular breeding and Functional Genomics

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?hl=en&user=8k3EMX0AAAAJ

Research Projects:

1. DBT- Funded Project “Whole genome and transcriptome sequence based SSR and SNP markers development in guava (Psidium guajava L.) for linkage mapping and trait association” (PI).
2. ICAR- Funded Niche Area of Excellence “Genetic improvement of Kinnow mandarin for fruit quality, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance” (Co-PI)

Selected Research Publications:

1. Thakur S, Yadav IS, Jindal M, Sharma PK, Dhillon GS, Boora RS, Arora NK, Gill MIS, Chhuneja P, and Mittal A? (2021) Development of Genome-Wide Functional Markers Using Draft Genome Assembly of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda to Expedite Molecular Breeding. Frontiers in Plant Science doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.708332 (NAAS 11.75)
2. Mittal A * , Yadav IS, Arora NK, Boora RS, Mittal M, Kaur P, Erskine W, Chhuneja P, Gill MIS and Singh K (2020) RNA-Sequencing based gene expression landscape of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda and comparative analysis to colored cultivars. BMC Genomics 21:484 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-06883-6 (NAAS 9.97)
3. Mittal A, Jiang Yw, Ritchie G, Burke JJ,Rock CD. (2015) AtRAV1 and RAV2 overexpression in cotton increases fiber length and delays flowering. Plant Science letters 241: 78-95 (NAAS Rating = 10.73)
4. Mittal A, Balasubramanian R, Cao J, Singh P, Subramanian S, Hicks G, Nothnagel EA, Abidi N, Janda J, Galbraith DW, Rock CD (2014) TOPOISOMERASE 6B is involved in chromatin remodeling associated with control of carbon partitioning into secondary metabolites and cell walls, and epidermal morphogenesis in Arabidopsis. Journal of Experimental Botany 65(15):4217-39. (NAAS Rating = 12.99)
5. Mittal A, Gampala S, Ritchie G, Payton P, Burke J, Rock C D (2014) Related to ABA-Insensitive3(ABI3)/Viviparous1 and AtABI5 transcription factor co-expression in cotton enhances drought stress adaptation.” Plant Biotechnology Journal 12(5):578-89. (NAAS Rating = 15.8)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

1. Awarded JRF for pursuing M.Sc. (Seed Technology) at TNAU for securing 49th Rank in ICAR-JRF exam for Plant Sciences discipline in 2003
2. University merit certificate in M.Sc. Plant Breeding.
3. Mini-grant recipient: Fall 2009, Texas Tech Association of Biologists.
4. Summer Dissertation Award from graduate school at Texas Tech (2012)
5. Recipient of GEEP (Graduate Enrollment Enhancement Program) funds from graduate school at Texas Tech to enhance the graduate student enrollment at Texas Tech University(2013).