Asst. Prof Saurabh Pandey: Assistant Professor at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGKV) Raipur, India
Saurabh Pandey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at IGKV, Raipur, India, with a keen focus on plant stress biology, crop improvement, and molecular plant-pathogen interactions. He completed his PhD from the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, with his research centered on heat stress tolerance in plants and developing genetic tools for stress resilience. Throughout his academic journey, he has built expertise in genomic approaches, particularly in studying heat stress mechanisms, and applied these to improve crop resilience to environmental challenges. Dr. Pandey has been an active researcher in plant molecular biology and has contributed extensively to understanding plant responses to both biotic and abiotic stress factors. His research aims to create sustainable, climate-resilient crops that can thrive under extreme environmental conditions.
Online Profiles
LinkedIn: Saurabh Pandey – LinkedIn
Dr. Pandey’s LinkedIn profile serves as a networking platform for fellow researchers, students, and professionals in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology. It provides a glimpse into his academic journey, research projects, professional engagements, and collaborations. His active presence on LinkedIn allows for fruitful discussions and exchanges with experts in the molecular plant sciences and allied sectors.
Dr. Saurabh Pandey has made notable contributions to the fields of molecular biology, plant biotechnology, and stress physiology, with a particular emphasis on improving crop resilience under biotic and abiotic stresses. His research has been extensively cited, with 949 citations spread across 883 documents. As an active researcher, he has contributed to 57 scientific publications, and his h-index stands at 15, reflecting the impact and quality of his work in the academic community.
Education
Dr. Pandey’s educational background is deeply rooted in plant molecular biology. After completing his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Biotechnology, he pursued a PhD in Plant Stress Biology at NIPGR, New Delhi. His doctoral research was centered around identifying molecular markers for heat stress tolerance in crops. During his postdoctoral training at NIPGR, he investigated host-pathogen interactions, focusing on viral diseases in plants and their molecular control. His work has provided valuable insights into the functional genomics of stress responses, particularly related to viral resistance and heat tolerance mechanisms in food crops.
Research Focus
Dr. Pandey’s primary research focus lies in enhancing plant resilience against biotic and abiotic stress factors, with an emphasis on understanding how molecular pathways can be engineered to boost crop productivity under challenging environmental conditions. His current research explores the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress tolerance, with a particular interest in how crops can adapt to rising global temperatures. Additionally, his work on plant-virus interactions aims to develop genetic strategies for controlling plant viral diseases, particularly in tropical crops like banana. Dr. Pandey also investigates the potential of molecular markers and gene editing tools to enhance crop breeding strategies, with an aim to improve food security through more resilient crops.
Experience
Dr. Pandey has gained considerable experience in both academic and research environments. His tenure as a Project Scientist-I at NIPGR allowed him to delve deep into plant-virus interactions, where he worked on improving viral resistance in important crop species. His academic career includes positions as an Assistant Professor at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and IGKV, Raipur, where he teaches courses on plant biotechnology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Pandey actively mentors graduate students and leads several research projects focused on plant stress biology and molecular crop improvement.
Research Timeline
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2016-2020: PhD in Plant Stress Biology, NIPGR, New Delhi – Focused on heat stress tolerance and molecular mechanisms in plants.
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2020–2021: Project Scientist-I, NIPGR, New Delhi – Investigated molecular aspects of plant-virus interactions.
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2021–2024: Assistant Professor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – Contributed to teaching, research, and student mentorship.
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2024–Present: Assistant Professor, IGKV, Raipur – Focus on plant resilience, stress biology, and molecular interventions for crop improvement.
This timeline marks Dr. Pandey’s academic growth and his continuous efforts to bridge the gap between plant molecular research and practical applications in crop improvement.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Pandey’s scientific achievements have been recognized through various awards, including the prestigious SERB Start-up Research Grant, awarded for his work on developing molecular strategies for viral resistance in banana. He has also received recognition for his contributions to climate-resilient agriculture and plant biotechnology, including Best Paper Awards in national and international conferences. In 2022, Dr. Pandey was invited to present his research at the International Conference on Plant Stress Tolerance and Crop Biotechnology. His dedication to innovation in plant molecular biology has earned him accolades both within India and internationally.
Top-Noted Publication
Dr. Pandey has contributed to several impactful publications that have significantly advanced the understanding of plant stress mechanisms and crop improvement. Notable publications include:
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“Interaction between Pathogenesis‐Related (PR) Proteins and Phytohormone Signaling Pathways in Conferring Disease Tolerance in Plants”, Physiologia Plantarum, 2025 – Explores how plant defense mechanisms, mediated by PR proteins, contribute to stress tolerance in plants.
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“Salicylic Acid: A Key Player in the Regulation of Interactions Between Heat Stress and Plant Defense”, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 2024 – Highlights the role of salicylic acid in mitigating the impacts of heat stress and enhancing disease resistance in crops.
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“Genome-Wide Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Enzymatic Genes Provides Novel Insights into Foxtail Millet and Other Cereals”, Frontiers in Genetics, 2024 – Offers a genome-wide perspective on photosynthetic enzymes, focusing on their role in crop adaptation to environmental stress.