Education: B.Sc., CSKHPKV, Palampur (1999); M.Sc., CSKHPKV, Palampur (2002); Ph.D., PAU, Ludhiana (2006)

Positions held: Assistant Professor (Genomics), School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU Ludhiana (August, 2012-Feb, 2015), Assistant Maize Breeder, Deptt. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU Ludhiana (Feb 2015-Sep, 2016), Assistant Professor (Biotechnology), School of Agricultural Biotechnolog, PAU Ludhiana (Oct, 2016-till date)

Field of Specialization: Plant Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?hl=en&user=qrgep3QAAAAJ

Research Interests:

1. Integrating biotechnology with maize improvement through marker-assisted selection and development of double haploids in maize.
2. Breeding for multiple disease resistance and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.
3. Initiatives in the area of genome editing for the crop improvement.

Research Projects:

1. DBT Project on Molecular mapping and transfer of novel gene(s) for earliness, mono-picking, powdery mildew and rust resistance in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) (PI)
2. DBT Project on Genomic assisted breeding for plant type suited to high plant density planting and tolerance to waterlogging in maize (Co-PI)
3. DBT Project on Fine mapping, cloning, and validation of brown planthopper resistance introgressed from Oryza nivara into O. sativa L. (Co-PI)
4. DBT BUILDER-Punjab Agricultural University Interdisciplinary Life Science Programme for Advance Research and Education (Co-PI)

Projects Accomplished:

1. DBT Project on Development of a haploid inducer stock through CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein complex mediated knockout of ZmPLA1 gene and its orthologue in Maize and Rice. (PI)
2. UGC Project on Molecular mapping leaf rust resistance gene derived from Aegilopstauschii and its transfer into elite wheat cultivars. (Co-PI)
3. DBT Project on Mining for heat tolerance of wheat in Australian and Indian environments. (Co-PI)
4. ICAR Project on Genetic Enhancement for Low Moisture Stress Tolerance in Maize. (Co-PI)
5. DBT Project on Programme support of enhancing durability of resistance to biotic stresses in selected cereal and fiber crops through biotech approaches. (Co-PI)

Selected Research Publications :

1. Kumar R, Kaur N, Singh A, D Shobha, Chaudhary D, Singh B, DAS A, Kumar P, Sharma P and Kaur Y (2022). Improvement in Nutritional Quality of traditional unleavened flat bread using Quality Protein Maize. Frontiers in Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-022-00306-w. (NAAS 12.58).
2. Karnatam KS, Chhabra G Saini, DK, Singh R, Kaur G, Praba UP, Kumar P, Goyal S, Sharma P, Ranjan R et al. (2023) Genome-Wide Meta-Analysis of QTLs Associated with Root Traits and Implications for Maize Breeding. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 6135. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijms24076135 (Naas Rating-12.21)
3. Rangari SK, Sudha MK, Kaur H, Uppal N, Singh G, Vikal Y and Sharma P (2023): DNA-free genome editing for ZmPLA1 gene via targeting immature embryos in tropical maize. GM Crops & Food, DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2023.2197303 (Naas Rating-9.12)
4. Kaur H, Kyum M, Sandhu S, Singh G and Sharma P (2023). Protocol optimization and assessment of genotypic response for inbred line development through doubled haploid production in maize. BMC Plant Biology 23:219 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04228. (Naas Rating-11.26)
5. Shifting the limits in wheat research and breeding through a fully annotated and anchored reference genome. International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) (2018). Science. 361:6403, eaar7191. (NAAS Rating: 20)

Patents

1. Cloning of 3 novel genes modulated under drought stress conditions in tea (Camellia sinensis L. (O.) Kuntze) (Patent No. 238022 2010-01-18,India; 4302532 2009-05-01, Japan; KE290 2009-01-13, Kenya; 13490 2010-10-29, SriLanka, 7718788 2010-05-18, USA )

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

1. Best oral presentation award in “International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Livelihood Security” –27^th-29^th 2012,” at Punjab Agricultural University.
2. Participitated in “Female Leadership in Crop and Agricultural Sciences”, held at Clare College Cambridge (UK), from 4^th- 10^th September 2016.
3. Awarded SERB International Research Experience award for the year 2022-2023 supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India to work on the “Development of haploid inducer stock through gene-editing of PLA1 and DMP genes in maize” in collaboration with Dr Bing Yang at Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, (USA).