As a Dropkin Fellow at the University of Chicago, I am focused on understanding epidermal plastid reprogramming during plant interactions with beneficial microbes.
My Ph.D. research focused on plant metabolites and plant-pathogen/pest interactions in Brassica species. I determined various aspects of the biology of glucosinolate metabolites, such as roles in plant defense against Spodoptera litura, Helicovepa armigera, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and crosstalk between primary and secondary metabolites in Brassica crops. My research work has successfully shown that glucosinolates are important in plant defense in Brassica species. During my first postdoctoral studies, I was involved in various national and international projects related to glucosinolate biology. These involved (1) identifying the pathogenicity factors of the white mold fungal disease of Brassica species using a MS-based proteomics approach, (2) using omics approaches to understand the genetic basis of trait variation, and (3) identifying candidate genes involved as stress metabolites in Indian mustard population. Overall, my research work has led to the identification of many useful genes and new techniques for creating resistant or tolerant improved lines of Indian oilseed mustard.