Alagarasan G

My name is Ganesh Alagarasan, and I am currently a PhD scholar. In 2019, I joined the lab as a recipient of the prestigious PMRF (Prime Minister Research Fellowship) scholarship. I hold an undergraduate degree in agricultural science and a postgraduate degree in agricultural science with a specialization in plant biotechnology. Following my postgraduate studies, I worked as a research student at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and the Sugarcane Breeding Institute for a period of three years, where I gained valuable experience in plant genetics.

My research focuses on crop improvement in Grain Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus), where I am combining plant biotechnology and genetics to develop crop transformation methods that enable rapid domestication of underutilized crops. Specifically, my work aims to leverage the latest advancements in precision breeding techniques to achieve more efficient crop improvement. One of the fundamental scientific questions that has always fascinated me is the temporal dynamics of trait evolution – how long a trait can continue to change over time.

My parents are my great inspirational farm scientists (although not formally trained scientists) who have always taught me to understand how the environment can affect crop growth. Their guidance and support have been invaluable to my journey in agricultural science, and I am grateful for their influence on my work.