Dr. Laxmipreeya Behera: Faculty Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology,Bhubaneswar, India

Dr. Laxmipreeya Behera is an emerging scientist in the field of Agricultural Biotechnology whose research integrates modern genome editing, molecular breeding, and plant functional genomics to address key challenges in crop improvement. With a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in CRISPR/Cas technology, transgenesis, marker-assisted selection, and gene functional analysis, she has made significant contributions to rice male sterility development, mungbean disease resistance, plant stress tolerance, and molecular diversity studies. Her research output includes high-impact journal articles, book authorship, multiple book chapters with renowned publishers like Elsevier and Springer, and collaborations with multidisciplinary teams across India and abroad. Driven by a commitment to innovation and scientific excellence, Dr. Behera aims to develop sustainable genetic solutions for enhancing crop productivity and resilience.

Online Profiles

Google Scholar Profile

Dr. Laxmipreeya Behera’s scholarly contributions have gained notable visibility within the scientific community, reflected in her Google Scholar metrics which show a total of 403 citations, with 399 citations since 2020, demonstrating strong and growing research impact in recent years. She holds an h-index of 8 and an i10-index of 8, indicating consistent production of influential publications that continue to be widely referenced across the domains of agricultural biotechnology, genome editing, and plant molecular research.

Education

Dr. Behera has built a strong and consistent academic trajectory, beginning with excellence in her higher secondary studies, followed by a B.Sc. in Horticulture (2016) and an M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology (2018) from the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology. With an outstanding academic record—earning a Gold Medal for her postgraduate achievements—she progressed into her Ph.D. in Agricultural Biotechnology, where she is currently advancing cutting-edge research on the development of thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) rice lines using CRISPR/Cas9. Her educational journey reflects a blend of conceptual understanding, laboratory expertise, and a passion for crop biotechnology.

Research Focus

Her research focuses on cutting-edge genome engineering and molecular breeding techniques, with major emphasis on CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing for functional genomics and trait improvement, development of transgenic lines for enhanced adaptability, and the use of molecular markers for disease resistance breeding. She also works extensively in gene cloning, plant tissue culture, regeneration systems, and multi-omics approaches for studying abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. Additionally, her contributions in bioinformatics, guide RNA design, in silico gene characterization, and genome-wide analysis provide a comprehensive technological perspective in modern plant biotechnology.

Experience

Dr. Behera’s research experience spans multiple high-level academic and collaborative projects carried out during her postgraduate and doctoral studies at OUAT. She has been actively engaged in laboratory-based genome editing, marker validation, genetic diversity analysis, plant tissue culture optimization, and bioinformatics-driven construct design. Her involvement in national symposiums, biotechnology workshops, and advanced scientific training programs has strengthened her practical competencies and broadened her interdisciplinary exposure. Although she has no formal service experience, her extensive research involvement, mentorship roles within lab groups, and active contributions to collaborative scientific studies demonstrate strong professional maturity and independent research capability.

Research Timeline & Activities

Her research journey began with her M.Sc. thesis on the molecular characterization and validation of markers for MYMV tolerance in Urdbean, which laid the foundation for her interest in gene–trait associations and disease resistance mechanisms. Transitioning into her Ph.D., she expanded her scope to include CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing to develop TGMS lines in elite rice cultivars, combining in vitro regeneration, construct design, vector assembly, transformation, and genetic validation. Alongside her main doctoral work, she has contributed to numerous parallel studies involving mungbean disease resistance, rice regeneration protocols, stress physiology, omics-driven plant responses, microbial interactions, and computational genome analysis. Her consistent participation in national and international conferences and specialized training programs has reinforced her scientific skillset and broadened her research perspective.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Behera has earned several prestigious distinctions that reflect her academic excellence and scientific potential. These include the OUAT Gold Medal Award of Excellence (2019) for outstanding postgraduate performance, and the INSPIRE Fellowship (2019) from the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India—a highly competitive national-level research fellowship. She has also been honored with the Young Scientist Award (2020), recognized as an expert in Forensic Biotechnology and DNA Fingerprinting (2023) by the International Forensic Sciences Institute, and received Best Oral Presentation Awards for her contributions to scientific conferences. These accolades collectively highlight her dedication, innovation, and leadership in the field of agricultural biotechnology.

Top Noted Publication

Among her numerous publications, one of the most notable is her 2025 article titled “CRISPR-driven innovations in rice (Oryza sativa L.) breeding: precision development of male sterile lines”, published in Molecular Biology Reports (NAAS 8.6). This work presents advanced CRISPR/Cas-based strategies for generating male sterile rice lines, an important tool for hybrid seed production and yield enhancement. The publication exemplifies her expertise in genome editing, functional gene analysis, and rice biotechnology, and it stands as a key contribution to current advancements in precision breeding and sustainable agricultural productivity.

• Crucial Cell Signaling Compounds Crosstalk and Integrative Multi-Omics Techniques for Salinity Stress Tolerance in Plants – Rajesh K. Singhal, Debanjana Saha, Milan Skalicky, Udit N. Mishra, L. Behera, et al., Frontiers in Plant Science, 12 (670369), 2021 – 96 citations

• The Golden Spice Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Its Feasible Benefits in Prospering Human Health — A Review – JP Sahoo, L. Behera, J. Praveena, S. Sawant, A. Mishra, SS Sharma, et al., American Journal of Plant Sciences, 12(3), 455-475, 2021 – 61 citations

• Omics Studies and Systems Biology Perspective Towards Abiotic Stress Response in Plants – JP Sahoo, L. Behera, SS Sharma, J. Praveena, SK Nayak, KC Samal, American Journal of Plant Sciences, 11(12), 2172, 2020 – 56 citations

• Understanding the BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) Program and a Step-by-Step Guide for Its Use in Life Science Research – KC Samal, JP Sahoo, L. Behera, T. Dash, Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika, 36(1), 55-61, 2021 – 46 citations

• Understanding the Genetics of Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) Resistance in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) – JP Sahoo, KC Samal, SK Tripathy, D. Lenka, P. Mishra, L. Behera, et al., Tropical Plant Pathology, 47(6), 703-717, 2022 – 15 citations

Strengths for Best Innovator Award

1. Pioneering Research in Genome Editing and CRISPR/Cas Technology
   Dr. Behera has applied advanced CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing to develop thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) rice lines, demonstrating innovation in precision breeding. Her work in functional genomics and trait improvement highlights her capability to create novel, sustainable solutions in crop productivity.

2. Integration of Multi-Omics and Molecular Breeding Approaches
   She effectively combines genomics, transcriptomics, and marker-assisted selection to understand plant stress tolerance and disease resistance mechanisms. This integrative approach exemplifies her ability to translate complex scientific data into practical agricultural innovations.

3. High Research Impact and Scholarly Visibility
   With 403 total citations, h-index 8, and multiple high-impact publications, her research has garnered international attention. Notable works on plant stress tolerance, turmeric benefits, and rice biotechnology reflect her capacity to produce influential and widely referenced innovations.

4. Recognition through Prestigious Awards and Fellowships
   Dr. Behera’s achievements include the OUAT Gold Medal, INSPIRE Fellowship, Young Scientist Award, and international recognition in forensic biotechnology. These honors validate her originality, scientific excellence, and leadership potential in agricultural innovation.

5. Translational Impact and Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture
   Her research is directly applicable to enhancing crop resilience, productivity, and hybrid seed development. By bridging laboratory discoveries with field applications, she demonstrates tangible societal and agricultural benefits, a key criterion for innovation awards.