Plant Functional Genomics for Abiotic Stress Resilience

Sanjib Kumar Panda is a distinguished academic and researcher with over 29 years of experience in teaching and research in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Molecular biology, and Biotechnology. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Utkal University, Odisha, India, and currently serves as a Senior Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India. As an internationally recognized expert in plant abiotic stress signaling and functional genomics, Prof. Panda's research has significantly advanced our understanding of how plants respond to environmental challenges such as drought, salinity, and metal toxicity. His work is deeply rooted in improving crop resilience for sustainable agriculture. He has been awarded several prestigious national and international fellowships, including the BOYSCAST Fellowship (DST, Government of India) at the University of California, Riverside, and the Indo-US Science & Technology Forum Fellowship at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA. His academic engagements span globally, having served as a Visiting Professor at institutions in Japan, Germany, France, Indonesia, South Africa, and the United States. Prof. Panda has presented his research at numerous international conferences and authored over 160 peer-reviewed publications and multiple book chapters. His work has garnered more than 12,010 citations on Google Scholar, with an h-index of 50, underscoring his impact on plant science research. He is also listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists, as recognized by Stanford University’s research. In addition to his research, Prof. Panda actively contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer and editorial board member for several high-impact journals, cementing his role as a thought leader in plant molecular biology.

Mather A. Khan is a molecular plant biologist with a PhD in Plant Biotechnology. As a scientist at the Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, USA, he leads research in plant metal homeostasis and stress physiology. His discoveries in vascular iron sensing, regulatory mechanisms, and cadmium-iron crosstalk have reshaped scientific understanding of micronutrient regulation in plants. By integrating functional genomics, multi-omics approaches, and physiological studies, Dr. Khan deciphers how plants manage the uptake, transport, and allocation of essential and non-essential metals. His work not only advances fundamental plant science but also tackles pressing global challenges, including food safety, security, and hidden hunger.  A prolific researcher, Dr. Khan has authored over 40 scientific articles and serves on the editorial boards of leading journals. As an active peer reviewer, he contributes his expertise to the broader scientific community. Through his innovative research, Dr. Khan bridges the gap between plant biology and sustainable solutions for a food-secure future.