Novel Bioproducts through Metabolic Engineering of Secondary Metabolites

Dr. Yogesh K. Ahlawat is currently a Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary (SGT) University in Haryana, India. He holds a PhD in the enhancement of biofuel production through plant cell wall biosynthesis, earned from Michigan Tech University in the United States. His research focuses on manipulating lignin biosynthesis in poplars to enhance biofuel yield. Dr. Ahlawat has developed hundreds of transgenic lines by overexpressing and silencing specific genes and transcription factors in Populus trichocarpa, the pioneering bioenergy tree, using tissue-specific promoters. With 13 years of extensive experience in functional genomics, postharvest genomics, and crop enhancement methodologies, Dr. Ahlawat has a commendable record of publishing impactful research. Dr. Ahlawat serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals such as the BMC series, Frontiers in Plant Science, Frontiers in Microbiology and Nutrition, and MDPI. His contributions have been recognized internationally through awards such as the Doctoral Finishing Fellowship, Best Graduate Teaching Award, and Best PhD Research Award. He holds several patents and has secured numerous national and international travel grants from esteemed organizations.

Dr. Pawan K. Jaiwal is an Emeritus Professor at the Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, India where he was formerly the Director and Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences. He has nearly 32 years of post-graduate teaching experience in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and plant biotechnology, has guided 27 students for their PhDs, and has completed 12 major research projects funded by various national and international agencies. Dr. Jaiwal has contributed 16 books and authored 28 book chapters and 112 research papers in nationally and internationally reputed research journals. He is a member of several academic bodies and is on the editorial board of national and International journals. Dr. Jaiwal has worked and trained at the Institute of Plant Sciences, ETH, Zurich (Switzerland), the National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, and the University of Ghent, Belgium and has visited labs in Japan, China, and the United States for collaborative research.

Prof. Jaya Prakash (J.P.) Yadav was serving as Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi University as well as Professor in the Department of Genetics at Maharshi Dayanand University, India. He has a total of 15 years of administrative experience and 30 years of teaching and research experience. Over the years, he has presented papers and taken on various organizational roles at national and international conferences and symposiums, including the National Conference of the Society of Cytology and Genetics, the National Symposium of Recent Advances in Biosciences and chairing sessions at the International Conference on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. He has served in various editorial capacities, including the Editorial Board of esteemed journals like Plant Archives and Journal of Plant Sciences. Dr. Yadav has been recognized with awards and grants, including UGC fellowships and international travel grants and has served on numerous committees, including those for project sanctioning and evaluation.

Dr Nisha Sharma did her PhD in Microbiology from Dr YSPUHF, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh-India. She has been awarded “INSPIRE FELLOWSHIP” (JRF/SRF) by DST, New Delhi- India. She has worked as Research Associate for 3 years at YSPUHF. She has significantly contributed in the field of Agricultural, Industrial & Food Microbiology. She has great aptitude for research work as reflected by the paper published in peer reviewed journals, paper presented and acting as a “Rapporteus” in National and International conferences. She published about 50 research articles in reputed National and International Journals, 15 Book Chapters, 15 Popular articles, 1 Text Book of Agricultural Microbiology, 1 Laboratory Manual & 07 Patents.

Dr Nisha Sharma received many prestigious awards, viz. “Young Scientist Award” by Venus International Foundation, “International Best Researcher Award” by International American Council for Research and Development, (IACRD) United States of America and “Young Scientist of the Year” by National Environment Science Academy, New Delhi, India. She is member of many Professional Societies like NASI, NESA, JUST AGRICULTURE. She is a young researcher with considerable self-discipline and confidence.