Karikalan Ja

I am a motivated plant science researcher with expertise in molecular biology, plant tissue culture, stress physiology, and functional genomics. My research experience includes vector construction, transgenic line development, and molecular characterization of transgenic lines in crops and model plant systems. I have extensive experience in evaluating transgenic plants under abiotic stress using physiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches.

Additionally, I am skilled in marker-assisted selection and genome-wide identification and functional characterization of gene families. I am committed to advancing plant science and seeking a challenging position in an innovative and intellectually stimulating environment where I can contribute to cutting-edge research and further develop my professional skills.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - West Virginia State University - Institute, WV, USA

(2023-09)

• Development of transgenic lines in crops and model plants using Agrobacterium and gene gun methods
• Molecular analysis of transgenic lines using PCR, Southern blot and qRT-PCR
• Investigate the effects of UV-B stress in C3 and C4 crops using molecular, physiological, and biochemical assessments
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to draw conclusions and participate in the development and implementation of research projects
• Prepare and present research findings at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications

Postdoc Researcher (Young Professional - II) - ICAR - National Institute for Plant Biotechnology - New Delhi, India

(2022-04 - 2022-12)

• Analyze physiological, and biochemical traits in transgenic rice lines that I developed during my PhD, with a focus on nitrogen use efficiency
• Genome-wide identification and characterization of Domain of unknown function (DUF) gene family including phylogenetic relationship, cis-regulatory elements, conserved motif, synteny, gene and protein structure prediction, subcellular localization, in-silico expression analysis of DUF family gene and their miRNA, and more
• Validation of DUF family gene expression in rice under various developmental stages and different abiotic stress including drought, salinity, cold, heat and nitrogen by qRT-PCR
• Plant growth maintenance under controlled environmental conditions, conducting field experiments for rice breeding

Senior Research Fellow - ICAR - National Institute for Plant Biotechnology - New Delhi, India

(2013-05 - 2015-12)

• Developments of vector construct and generate transgenic lines in rice
• Molecular analysis of the transgenic lines using PCR, qRT-PCR, and Southern blot
• Analyze morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits of transgenic lines subjected to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, cold, and heat
• Plant growth maintenance, conducting field experiments including transplanting, crossing, agronomic traits data collection, implementation of abiotic stresses
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to draw conclusions and participate in the development and implementation of research projects
• Prepare and present research findings at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications
• Supervising and training plant tissue culture and various molecular biology techniques to students

Senior Research Fellow - ICAR - Indian Agricultural Research Institute - New Delhi, India

(2010-08 - 2011-11)

• Marker assisted selection including polymorphism analysis using SSR marker
• Plant growth maintenance, conducting pollination of maize plants greenhouse and field conditions

Ph.D.

• Botany - Specialization in Plant Biotechnology - ICAR - National Institute for Plant Biotechnology & Department of Botany, Bharathidasan University (2022-02)

Master of Science - Biotechnology - Periyar University (2007-07 - 2009-04)

Bachelor of Science - Microbiology - Periyar University (2004-07 - 2007-05)