Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I am a Plant Molecular Biologist:
  My research involves solving mysteries about plants. As a plant molecular biologist, you’re like a plant detective trying to figure out how plants work on the tiniest level—molecules and genes. Just like people have DNA, plants also have DNA. It’s like a blueprint that tells the plant how to grow and survive. You look at this blueprint to understand how different parts of the plant function. My job involves running experiments in the lab and using computer based analysis to understand function of plant genes that are involved in the process of photosynthesis.
  I enjoy doing research that is fundamental and applied so that I can use my findings to improve plant processes. For example, to produce a plant that can provide higher yields.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  My favorite plant for research is Nicotiana benthamiana, commonly called as tobacco. It is very easy to grow and the most interesting part is that you can use its leaves to express foreign genes with a needle-less syringe and you get the results in just 3-4 days.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

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

  I always found biology interesting as a student and biology would be the first book I pick up to read. I did my Bachelor's degree in Agriculture where I learnt a variety of different subjects. That's also when I got introduced to research and choose to go into a science career, as I was passionate about improving plant processes for sustainability.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is tough about being a scientist?

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

  It's very important to be patient as a scientist because many times the experiments you plan do not work as you'd expect and then you need to rethink, replan and redo. But the joy when you get results is tremendous.

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

  1

  
  

Recent Posts

24fbrowncvuhspos project 3 Komal Attri 22 hrs

Thank you! It was my pleasure. 

24fbrowncvuhspos project 3 Komal Attri 22 hrs

Thanks for sharing the slide. It's great!

Dinosaurss Komal Attri 22 hrs

Thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts. Just out of curiosity, did you also have a control of leaf discs kept under white light? If yes, how did those behave differently compared to the ones under red and blue light?