Dr. Yasodha Ramsamy is a well-experienced research scientist with research achievements in tree tissue culture, clonal propagation, molecular genetics of trees, and teak genomics. Her research on micropropagation of bamboos, eucalypts and teak has been translated to field reality in the form of on-farm trials and large-scale adoption. Her research findings have been published in several peer-reviewed journals. She has reviewed manuscripts related to forest tree genomics and tree improvement.
She has substantially contributed in molecular characterization ofpopulations of eucalypts, casuarina, teak, acacia and red sanders for genetic diversity assessment, hybrid purity testing, and clonal DNA fingerprinting.
She has published the draft genome of teak by implementing a hybrid assembly strategy to integrate the short and long-read data. The genome assembly datawas categorizedintovarious groups of repeat elements and genes that encode proteins involved in the durability of teak which paved way for functional genomic analysis. SSRs variations across teak samples were identified, which served as genotypic markers for tree improvement and teak genetic resource conservation programs. She has guided several students for their doctoral research and post-graduate thesis dissertations. She has been awarded for research excellence in forest biotechnology and honored with national and international fellowships. Her current area of research includes large scale demonstration of tissue culture raised teak plantations and SNP-based population genome analyses in teak towards genetic improvement.

She loves gardening as a hobby. She also participates in competitive walking events.

Dr. Ani A. Elias is a Scientist D on Ramalingaswami fellowship at the ICFRE – IFGTB. She is associated with Dr. Yasodha Ramasamy’s lab since 2021 as a Co-PI in the Indo-Danish project titled ‘Genomic selection for superior heartwood formation in two commercial timber species teak (Tectona grandis) and European oak (Quercus robur) – FastWood’. Her expertise is in statistical genetics and prediction modeling. She holds a Ph.D. degree from Purdue University, USA and post-doctoral experience from Cornell University, USA. She has vast experience both in academia and industry in India and USA.
She is also the lead founder of HelixOmics Analytics LLP., an -omics service provider.
She is a passionate badminton player, dancer, and artist.

Maheswari Patturaj has a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry & Biotechnology and a Master’s in Biochemistry from Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Plant Biotechnology at ICFRE-IFTGTB affiliated with Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. At present, she is working on a DBT-funded project entitled, “Genomic selection for superior heartwood formation in two commercial timber species teak (Tectona grandis) and European oak (Quercus robur) – FastWood”.
She has more than six years of experience in molecular biology experiments and next-generation sequencing data analysis from ICFRE-IFGTB. Some of her lab techniques and data analysis skills include isolation of nucleic acids, gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, fragment analysis of molecular markers, and analysis of genomics, transcriptomics, and metagenomic datasets for various applications such as population genomics, adaptive genetic diversity, QTL mapping, and association studies.

Sindhu Agasthikumar completed her Master’s (Biotechnology) from P S G College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. She started her career as a Research Assistant at ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Wellington, Coonoor. She joined as a Junior Project Fellow in January 2021 in the project entitled “Genetic structure assessment for genecological zonation”. She registered her Ph.D. at Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, under the guidance of Dr. R. Yasodha. She predominantly worked with redsanders population genetics. She worked on transcriptome data analysis, microsatellite marker discovery, genotyping of redsanders using microsatellite sequencing technology (SSR-seq) for genetic conservation, Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) marker discovery, and LAMP assay development.
Apart from her academic career, she is interested in pencil sketching, outdoor cycling, and cooking.

Adwaith Manikanta In 2022, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany from the University of Kerala. Shortly after, on May 9, 2022, he began his role as a Project Assistant on a project titled "Genomic Selection for superior heartwood formation in two Commercial timber species - Tectona grandis and Quercus robur - FastWood." His primary responsibilities encompassed core sample collection from Teak, dendrochronology, colorimetry, and FTIR spectroscopy analysis of the samples. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys pursuing hobbies such as cooking, photography, and going for long walks.

Smriti K. A. has completed BSc in Zoology, MSc in Bioinformatics and MS in Cellular and Molecular Medicine. She completed her MSc project in bioinformatics analysis of teak genome in the Molecular Genetics Lab of the Division of Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics. Post master’s, she joined as a Junior Project Fellow under the project entitled “AICRP-04 Comp-02 Eucalyptus Improvement” under the guidance of Dr. R. Yasodha. Her academic interests include NGS, ML/DL, programming and web development.
Beyond this, she enjoys reading novels, listening to/singing songs and interacting with animals.

Dr. K. Kalaiarasi was a technical assistant in a DBT funded project from 2004 to 2007. She completed her M.Sc. Biotechnology from Department of Biotechnology, Periyar University campus, Salem before joining the lab. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, Padmavani Arts and Science College for Women.
Outside academia, her interests are music and singing.

Dr. Shanmugapriya worked as a JRF/SRF from 2008 to 2011 in Dr. Yasodha’s lab. She completed her degree from NGM college, Pollachi. She is currently working as a higher secondary teacher at Shaanthi school, Pollachi.
She does organic farming in her past time.

Dr. V. Subashini worked as a JRF/SRF in the project titled ‘QTL mapping in Eucalyptus for salinity tolerance’ from 2009 to 2013. Before joining the lab, she completed her UG and PG in Biochemistry from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore.
Her hobbies are crocheting and embroidery.

Dr. Sakthi graduated from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. She served as Junior Research Fellow under the DBT, GoI funded project on Documentation of population demography and genetic structure of teak for developing sustainable conservation strategies and resource management from 2017 – 2019. Presently she is holding the position of Project Scientist I DST WOS-A at Department of Plant Biotechnology, TNAU Coimbatore.
Her hobbies are reading books and gardening

Mr. A.Vijayakumarworked in Dr. Yasodha’s lab as a JPF/SPF from 2020 to 2023. He did eucalyptus breeding and learned grafting, cuttings, pollen viability studies, DNA, RNA analysis and laboratory skills. Before joining the lab, he graduated with a M.Sc. degree from Alagappa University. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Tree Breeding Manager in MIRO Forestry (Ghana) Limited. He does Eucalyptus breeding work, grafting, nursery, and R&D team management there.
Plant taxonomy is his favourite subject.
He is very interested in bird photography.

Ms. M. Sumathi was a JRF/SRF from 2012 – 2016 in Dr. Yasodha’s lab. She completed her M.Sc. Biotechnology from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. Currently, she is working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, AVC College, Mayiladuthurai.

Mr. Durai Kumar worked as technical assistant in Dr. Yasodha’s lab in a DBT funded project on Field performance of micro and macro propagated planting stock of selected five commercially important bamboo species. Before joining the lab, he worked as a technical graduate at Classic Jatropha Oil (India) Ltd, Palladam. He completed M.Sc. in Plant Science from Bharathiyar University. He is currently working as Scientist II at Rasi Seeds.
His hobbies are cricket, badminton, and traveling.

Aiswarya obtained her M. Phil in Botany from the Government College of Arts and Science. She served as a Junior Project Fellow from February 2020 to April 2021. In the laboratory, she is tasked with duties such as isolating nucleic acids, conducting polymerase chain reactions and gel electrophoresis, as well as interpreting data.Currently, she holds the position of Accountant at Ideal Trading Company.
In her leisure time, she enjoys practicing agriculture and reading books.

Nithishkumar Kannan completed his master's in Biotechnology at Sri Krishna Arts and Science College in Coimbatore, India. He held a position as a Project Assistant in the molecular genetics’ laboratory of the Plant Biotechnology Division, IFGTB, Coimbatore from October 2019 to March 2023. In this period he worked on aspects like nucleic acid isolation, genetic purity analysis, molecular marker analysis, micronutrient analysis on leaf samples, metagenomics, population genetics, and molecular phylogeny. In addition, he actively participated in conducting demo classes and the preparation of posters and reports. Currently, he serves as an Executive at Plasmagen Biosciences Pvt. Ltd.
His leisure interests include traveling, photography, and blog writing.