Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  WE SEE PLANTS ALL AROUND US. PLANTS ARE THE ONLY LIVING ORGANISMS THAT CAN MAKE THEIR OWN FOOD BY USING ENERGY FROM SUNLIGHT, CO2 FROM THE ATMOSPHERE AND WATER AND NUTRIENTS FROM THE SOIL. THIS CO2 IS CONVERTED INTO CARBOHYDRATES THROUGH THE PROCESS CALLED PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND FORMS THE FOOD FOR ALL PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND HUMAN BEINGS ON OUR PLANET. SO ALL THE TASTY FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND CEREALS THAT WE AND THE ANIMALS EAT EVERY DAY ARE PRODUCED BY PLANTS THROUGH PHOTOSYNTHESIS.
  
  HOWEVER, NOT ALL PLANTS PERFORM PHOTOSYNTHESIS AT THE SAME RATE OR PRODUCE THE SAME AMOUNT OF CARBOHYDRATES. THEY ALSO USE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF WATER, NUTRIENTS, AND SUNLIGHT DURING PHOTOYSNTHESIS. NOW THE QUESTION IS WHY DO DIFFERENT PLANTS PERFORM PHOTOYSTHESIS AT DIFFERENT RATES?
  
  MY RESEARCH INTERESTS LIE IN ADDRESSING ABOVE KEY QUESTIONS. JUST LIKE THE BEAUTIFUL DIVERSITY WE SEE IN EVERYDAY IN THE PEOPLE AROUND US, PLANTS ARE ALSO DIVERSE. THEY DIFFER GREATLY IN THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THEIR LEAVES, BRANCHES, ROOTS, FLOWERS, PLACES THEY LIKE TO GROW, AND THE AMOUNT OF WATER AND NUTRIENTS THEY LIKE TO USE. I SPECIFICALLY STUDY HOW THIS DIVERSITY IN PLANTS AFFECTS THEIR ABILITIES TO ABSORB ATMOSPHERIC CO2 FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND EVENTUALLY TO PRODUCE FOOD FOR US.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is the coolest thing you have discovered or learned about plants?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  I think the coolest thing that plants do is photosynthesis-the process by which green plants use sunlight, CO2, water, and nutrients to synthesize food for themselves and for all the animals and humans on our planet. Plants (and some other organisms) are the only organisms on our planet that have the capacity to do this. Not only do plants produce food for us, but they also help keep our climate habitable or suitable enough for us to live comfortably. Fun fact- plant leaves consist of hundreds of microscopic pores called 'stomata'. During photosynthesis, stomata help absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and also release water absorbed from the soil back into the atmosphere. It is predicted that through the activities of stomata, all the plants present on our planet, together recycle the entire water content of the atmosphere above us, twice a year. This shows the influence that plants have on our lives and our planet.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  Plants are inevitable for the existence of life on our planet. Every species is important is one way or the other. And so it is hard to pick any particular plant. But still if I had to pick one, it would be mango tree. I love mangoes and also I have numerous childhood memories attached to mango trees. My maternal grandparents had mango trees in their farms. For several years, me and my cousins have spent our school summer vacations relishing on their delicious mangoes and creating sweet memories playing in their shade.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  (not set)

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  (not set)

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  3

  
  

Recent Posts

mhsmirandaaftwspring2024 project 9 Varsha S Pathare Feb 28 at 03:07pm

Hello All,

My name is Varsha. I am a plant physiologist and post-doctoral researcher at University of Illinois. As a plant physiologist I study how plants differ in photosynthesis and growth. I am specially interested in identifying ways in which…

more

Hello All,

My name is Varsha. I am a plant physiologist and post-doctoral researcher at University of Illinois. As a plant physiologist I study how plants differ in photosynthesis and growth. I am specially interested in identifying ways in which we can genetically engineer photosynthesis to make our crops grow better and produce more seeds. This in turn will help us ensure sufficient supply of food for all humans and animals. Besides research I like gardening and cooking. I look forward to interacting with you all and answering any questions about your project.!

chswelchposfall2023 project 12 Varsha S Pathare Oct 31, 2023

Hello Team, It was nice interacting with you all. You have successfully completed your project . Well done team!! Goodbye and Best of Luck!

Oxygen measurement lab Varsha S Pathare Oct 25, 2023

Hello Team,

Your research topic sounds interesting. I am interested to know more about the experimental design.

Varsha