Dr. Madhugiri NAGESWARA RAO hails from Madhugiri, Karnataka, India and is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agriculture Sciences, Department of Horticulture, and Citrus Research & Education Center (CREC) Florida 33850, USA. We are privileged to have him as one of the members spotlight for July ’06. He could be reached at mnrao@crec.ifas.ufl.edu or mnrbhav@yahoo.com. His Scientific career and profile follows:

 

 

 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) [1999-2004]: Division of Genetics & Tree Propagation, Forest Research Institute (FRI), Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal, India.

Master of Science (MSc.) [1994-1996]: BIOCHEMISTRY, Central College, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India.

Bachelor of Science (BSc.) [1990-1993]: C.B.Z. (Chemistry, Botany & Zoology), Bangalore University, Bangalore, India.

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE & INTERESTS

Plant Molecular Biology, Host-Pathogen interactions, Population genetics, Evolutionary & Conservation genetics.

 

WORKING EXPERIENCE

·         Working as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate (2004-till date), CREC (www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu), University of Florida, USA.

Current Research: My research aims to map, evaluate and genetically improve Citrus germplasms using advanced molecular and bioinformatic tools.

 

·         Worked as a Research Associate (2001-2004), GKVK (http://uasbng.kar.nic.in/default.asp), Bangalore, India.

·         Worked as a Senior Research Fellow (1998-2001), GKVK, Bangalore, India.

·         Worked as a Research Assistant (1996-1998), GKVK, Bangalore, India.

·         Worked as a Chemist in Karnataka Breweries and Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., (1993-1994), Bangalore, India.

My work at GKVK has contributed significantly to the understanding of, (A) The impacts of human disturbance on the genetic diversity of non-timber forest species, (B) Mapping the genetic diversity ‘hot-spots’ for germplasm collection in medicinal & economically important tree species, (C) Effect of fragmentation on the population structure & genetic diversity of forest species, (D) The role of protected areas in conserving the genetic diversity of economically important forest tree species & (E) Identification & charecterization of bioactive compounds in forest plants. The outcome of these studies, prehaps the first of their kind in the Western Ghats (one of the mega diversity hot-spt in the world), have important implications for future conservation & management of various forest genetic resources.

 

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

5 a: PUBLICATIONS IN JOURNALS 

1.      Nageswara Rao M, Jaya Soneji, Chunxian Chen, Young A. Choi, Shu Huang & Fred G. Gmitter Jr (2006) Identification of zygotic and nucellar seedlings from citrus rootstock candidates using RAPD. Acta Horticulturae (in press).

2.      Jaya Soneji, Chunxian Chen, Nageswara Rao M, Shu Huang, Young A. Choi & Fred G. Gmitter Jr (2006) Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of citrus using two binary vectors. Acta Horticulturae (in press).

3.      Ramesha BT, Ravikanth G, Nageswara Rao M, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R (2006) Genetic structure of rattan, Calamus thwaitesii in core, buffer and peripheral regions of three protected areas at central Western Ghats, India: Do protected areas serve as refugia for genetic resources of economically important plants? Journal of Genetics (in press).

4.      Chunxian Chen, Qifa Zheng, Jaya Soneji, Shu Huang, Young A. Choi, Nageswara Rao M & Fred G. Gmitter Jr (2006) Development of GFP vector for citrus transformation Acta Horticulturae (in press).

5.      Nageswara Rao M, Jaya Soneji, Chunxian Chen, Young A. Choi, Shu Huang & Fred G. Gmitter Jr. Characterization of zygotic and nucellar seedlings from Citrus rootstock candidates using RAPD and EST-SSR markers. Tree Genetics & Genomes (Under review).

6.      Nageswara Rao M, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R. Assessing threats and mapping Sandal (Santalum album L.) resources in peninsular India: Identification of genetic hot-spots for in-situ conservation (Under review).

7.      Nageswara Rao M, Ramesha BT, Ravikanth G, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R. Cross-species amplification of coconut microsatellite markers in rattans (Under review).

8.      Chunxian Chen, Qifa Zheng, Jaya Soneji, Xu Xiang, Shu Huang, Young A. Choi, Nageswara Rao M & Fred Gmitter Jr. Development of new GFP binary vector for citrus Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. HortScience (Under review).

9.      Lyngdoh N, Santosh S. Hantode, Ramesha BT, Nageswara Rao M, Ravikanth G, Narayani Barve, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R. (2005) Rattan species richness and population genetic structure of Calamus flagellum in North-Eastern Himalayas, India. Journal of Bamboo & Rattan 4(3):293-307 (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/vsp/jbr/2005/00000004/00000003/art00009;jsessionid=4k5ou13l0cmh.alice).

10.  Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Nageswara Rao M & Aravind NA (2004) Ecological consequences of forest use-from genes to ecosystem: a case study in the Biligiri Ranganswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, South India, Conservation & Society, 2:347-363 (http://www.conservationandsociety.org/c_s_2-2-8-shaanker-new.pdf).

11.  Nageswara Rao M, Uma Shaanker R & Ganeshaiah KN (2002) Mapping the reek, Down to Earth 10(17):18 (http://csestore.cse.org.in/more_stories.asp?currentpage=203&news_id=22189).

12.  Padmini S, Nageswara Rao M, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R(2001) Genetic diversity     of Phyllanthus emblica in tropical forests of South India: Impact of anthropogenic pressures. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 13(2):297-310. (http://www.frim.gov.my/epublication/JTFSVol.cfm?Siri=Vol.%2013%20No.%202%208%20May%202001).

13.  Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Nageswara Rao M (2001) Genetic diversity of medicinal plant species in deciduous plants of India: Impacts of harvesting and other anthropogenic pressures. Journal of Plant Biology 28(1):91-97.

14.  Meera C, Nageswara Rao M, Ganeshaiah KN, Uma Shaanker R & Swaminath MH (2000) Conservation of sandal genetic resources in India: I Extraction patterns and threats to sandal resources in Karnataka. My Forest 36(2):125-132.

 

Invited cHAPTERs: IN TEXT BOOKs/ PROCEEDINGS

15.    Fred G. Gmitter Jr, Chunxian Chen, Nageswara Rao M & Jaya R. Soneji (2006) Citrus fruits. In: Fruits and Nuts, Genome Mapping & Molecular Breeding in Plants, Volume(4), Chitta R Kole (ed), Springer, Heidelberg, Berlin, New York, Tokyo (http://www.springer.com/west/home/life+sci?SGWID=4-10027-22-173671314-0).

16.    Fred G. Gmitter Jr, Jaya R. Soneji, Nageswara Rao M & Shu Huang (2006) Citrus.  In: The Encyclopedia of fruits & nuts. Janick, J (ed) (in press).

17.    Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Nageswara Rao M & Ravikanth G (2006) Genetic diversity of non-timber forest product species: does harvesting matters? In: Management, Utilization & Conservation of Non-Timber Forest Products in the South Asia Region, Uma Shaanker R, Joseph G & Hiremath A (eds), Tata-McGraw Hill, Bangalore, India (in press).

18.    Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Nageswara Rao M & Ravikanth G (2003) Genetic diversity of NTFP species: issues and implications. pp 40-44,  In: Proceedings of International workshop on policies, management, utilisation & conservation of non-timber forest products in the South Asia region, Hiremath A, Joseph G & Uma Shaanker R (eds),  Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment (ATREE) and Forest Research Support Programme for Asia & the Pacific, FAO, Bangkok (http://www.atree.org/workshop.html#1).

19.    Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Nageswara Rao M & Ravikanth G (2002) Forest gene banks – a new integrated approach for the conservation of forest tree genetic resources. pp 229-235, In: Managing Plant Genetic Resources, Engels JMM, Brown AHD & Jackson MT (eds), CABI Publishing, Nosworthy, Wallingford, Oxon, UK (http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Publications/727/pdf/0851995225Ch22.PDF).

20.    Nageswara Rao M, Uma Shaanker R & Ganeshaiah KN (2001) Mapping genetic diversity of Sandal (Santalum album L.) in South India: Lessons for in-situ conservation of sandal genetic resources. pp 49-67, In: Forest genetic resources: Status, threats & conservation strategies, Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Bawa KS (eds), Oxford & IBH Publications, New Delhi (http://www.atree.org/books.html).

21.    Nageswara Rao M, Uma Shaanker R & Ganeshaiah KN (2001) Protected areas as refugias for genetic resource: are sandal genetic resources safe in our sanctuaries? pp 121-124, In: Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Diversity, and Human Welfare, Ganeshaiah KN, Uma Shaanker R & Bawa KS (eds), Science publishers, Enfield, NH 03748, USA (http://www.scipub.net/environmental-science/tropical-ecosystems.html).

22.    Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Nageswara Rao M (2001) Conservation of genetic resources of Triphala in South India: Identifications of hot-spots for in-situ conservation.     pp 115-128, In: Medicinal plants a global heritage, IDRC & CRDI (http://www.greenhealer.net/first.php#0).

23.    Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Nageswara Rao M & Ravikanth G (2001) A new approach to conservation of genetic resources of forest trees: promise and processes. pp 263-271. In: Forest genetic resources: Status, threats & conservation strategies, Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Bawa KS (eds), Oxford & IBH Publications, New Delhi, India (http://www.atree.org/books.html).

24.    Cheluvaraju, Deepali Singh BS, Nageswara Rao M, Ravikanth G, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R (2001) Conservation of Bamboo Genetic Resources in Western Ghats: Status, Threats & Strategies. pp 99-113, In: Forest genetic resources: Status, threats & conservation strategies, Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Bawa KS (eds), Oxford & IBH Publications, New Delhi, India (http://www.atree.org/books.html).

 

Conference Papers

Paper presentation (International = 6; National = 5)

List of International conference presentations

1.       Uma Shaanker R, Aravind NA, Ganeshaiah KN, Ravikanth G, Nageswara Rao M, Tambat B & Ramesh BT, Aug 30–Sep 1 (2004) Protected areas as refugia for forest genetic resources: An analysis. In: International Workshop on “Regional Cooperation on Conservation of Biodiversity Hotspots of the Indian Subcontinent and Taxonomic Databases for Conservation” Organized by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment (ATREE), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, University of Massachusetts (UMASS), Boston, USA, SM Sehgal Foundation, USA & Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India.

2.       Ravikanth G, Nageswara Rao M, Ramesha BT, Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Hong LT & Ramanatha Rao V, Feb 27-March 4 (2004) Genetic diversity of in bamboos in core and peripheral regions of protected areas. In: VIIth International world Bamboo congress, Singh HP & Dadlani NK (eds), Malhothra Publishing House, New Delhi, India.

3.       Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Nageswara Rao M & Ravikanth G, April 28-30 (2003) Genetic diversity of non-wood tree species in central Western Ghats: Impacts and concerns. In: International workshop on policies, management, utilisation & conservation of non-timber forest products in the South Asia region, Organised by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment (ATREE) and Forest Research Support Programme for Asia & the Pacific, FAO, Bangkok.

4.       Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Nageswara Rao M, Jan 11th (2002) Impact of disturbance from genes to ecosystem: a case study at BRT Hills. In: India-UK Science Festival 2002, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India.

5.       Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Padmini S & Nageswara Rao M, Feb 16-19 (1998) Impact of harvesting on the regeneration and genetic diversity of medicinal plant species in the deciduous forests of South India. In: International conference on Medicinal Plants, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India.

6.       Ganeshaiah KN, Uma Shaanker R, Padmini S & Nageswara Rao M, Feb 16-19, (1998) Forest gene banks-a new approach for in-situ conservation of genetic resources of medicinal plant species. In: International conference on Medicinal Plants, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India.

 

Poster presentation (International = 14; National = 10)

List of International poster presentations

7.       Czarnecki II DM, Deng Z, Nageswara Rao M, Fred G. Gmitter Jr, Young A. Choi, Norcini JG & Clark DK, July 27–30 (2006) Morphological and molecular diversity in Coreopsis leavenworthii populations, In: American Society for Horticultural Science- Annual conference, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

8.       Nageswara Rao M, Jaya Soneji, Chunxian Chen, Young A Choi, Shu Huang & Fred G. Gmitter Jr., Jan 14-18 (2006) Comparison of RAPD and SSR markers to identify true nucellar seedlings in citrus, In: Plant & Animal Genomes XIV Conference, San Diego, California, USA.

9.       Jaya Soneji, Chunxian Chen, Nageswara Rao M, Shu Huang, Young A. Choi & Fred G. Gmitter Jr. Jan 14-18 (2006) Introduction of two binary vectors in citrus via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, In: Plant & Animal Genomes XIV Conference, San Diego, California, USA.

10.    Young A. Choi, Chunxian Chen, Shu Huang, Nageswara Rao M, Jaya Soneji & Fred G. Gmitter Jr., Jan 14-18 (2006) Identification of quantitative trait linkage (QTL) for  resistance Citrus Canker using AFLP / BSA markers. In: Plant & Animal Genomes XIV Conference, San Diego, California, USA.

11.    Chunxian Chen, Young A. Choi, Allan D Burrage, Jaya Soneji, Nageswara Rao M, Shu Huang & Fred G. Gmitter Jr. Jan 14-18 (2006) Aligning Citrus UniGenes with Arabidopsis and Rice chromosome sequences, In: Plant & Animal Genomes XIV Conference, San Diego, California, USA.

12.    Nageswara Rao M, Jaya Soneji, Chunxian Chen, Young A. Choi, Shu Huang & Fred G. Gmitter Jr. Oct. 10-14 (2005) Identification of zygotic and nucellar seedlings from citrus rootstock candidates using RAPD. In: ISHS International Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops & Tropical Species, Daytona, Florida, USA.

13.    Jaya Soneji, Chunxian Chen, Nageswara Rao M, Shu Huang, Young A. Choi & Fred G. Gmitter Jr. Oct. 10-14 (2005) Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of citrus using two binary vectors. In: ISHS International Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops & Tropical Species, Daytona, Florida, USA.

14.    Young A. Choi, Chunxian Chen, Shu Huang, Nageswara Rao M, Jaya Soneji & Fred G. Gmitter Jr. Oct. 10-14  (2005) Identification of AFLP markers associated with Citrus Canker resistance within Citrus. In: ISHS International Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops & Tropical Species, Daytona, Florida, USA.

15.    Chunxian Chen, Qifa Zheng, Jaya Soneji, Xu Xiang, Young A. Choi, Shu Huang,  Nageswara Rao M & Fred G. Gmitter Jr. Oct. 10-14 (2005) Development of GFP vector for citrus transformation. In: ISHS International Symposium on Biotechnology of Temperate Fruit Crops & Tropical Species, Daytona, Florida, USA.

16.    Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Ramesha BT, Ravikanth G, Nageswara Rao M, Tambat B, Ramanatha Rao V & Hong LT, Aug 8-13 (2004) Genetic Diversity of bamboos and rattans in the protected areas of central Western Ghats, India: Identification of gaps and conservation implications. In: XXII IUFRO World Congress, Brisbane, Australia.

17.    Tambat B, Ravikanth, G, Nageswara Rao M., Chaithra GN & Ramesha BT, June 24 (2003) Myristica swamps: The highly threatened and unique ecosystems of the Western Ghats, India. In: International project meeting award ceremony held at the American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA (http://conservation.bp.com/news/awards.asp).

18.    Nageswara Rao M, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R, July 15-18 (2001) Genetic diversity and geological patterns in sandal genetic resources at peninsular India. In: International Conference on Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, diversity, and human welfare, Bangalore, India.

19.    Nageswara Rao M, Ganeshaiah KN & Uma Shaanker R, April 15-17 (2001) Sandal genetic resources under threat: conservation studies in peninsular India. In: International Biotech meeting (BIO.COM-Biotech happens here), Bangalore, India.

20.    Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Nageswara Rao M, June 12-16 (2000) Conservation of sandal genetic resources in India: problems and prospects. In: International conference on science & technology for managing plant genetic diversity in 21st century, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Number of graduate students mentored for successful completion of their research projects: 16

 

OTHERS

·         Research articles reviewed for International scientific journals

1.       Biotropica, U.S.A

2.       HortScience, U.S.A.

3.       Plant Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture, Netherlands,

4.       Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter, Italy,

5.       Current Science, India.

·         Secured Silver Award as a team member for the project entitled “Conservation of the Myristica swamps- the highly threatened & unique ecosystem in the Western Ghats, India” at the American Museum of Natural History, New York, U.S.A, on June 24 (2003) (http://conservation.bp.com/projects/303102_proj.asp).

·         Undergone International training program on “Genetics of Drosophila & Mouse development: Concepts to current themes” at National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS; http://www.ncbs.res.in/), Dec 16-27 (2002) Bangalore, India.

·         Undergone training program on “DNA based marker technologies & its application in Plant Biology” at Tata Energy Research Institute (http://www.teriin.org/), Oct 3-13 (2001) New Delhi. India.

·         Teaching experience: Taught lab courses in Molecular marker mapping, Conservation genetics & Molecular Ecology.

·         Assisted in editing text books:

1.       “Forest genetic resources: Status, threats and conservation strategies”, Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN & Bawa KS (eds), Oxford & IBH Publications, New Delhi (http://www.atree.org/fgrbook.html).

2.       “Proceedings of International conference on Tropical ecosystems: Structure, diversity & Human welfare”, Ganeshaiah KN, Uma Shaanker R & Bawa KS (eds), Science publishers, Enfield, NH-03748, USA. (http://www.scipub.net/environmental-science/tropical-ecosystems.html )

3.       “Bamboos and Rattans of the Western Ghats: Population biology, socio-economics & conservation strategies” Uma Shaanker R, Ganeshaiah KN, Srinivasan K, Ramanatha Rao V & Hong LT, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & Environment (ATREE), International Plant Genetic Research Institute (IPGRI), Malaysia & University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India (http://www.atree.org/atree-0205.html#top).

·         My PhD research work has been highlighted in the local newspapers @               (a) http://www.nls.ac.in/CEERA/ceerafeb04/html/documents/sandalwood.htm, Deccan Herald (Fading fragrance), Friday, May 31 (2002) and (b) http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Aug172004/spt2.asp, Deccan Herald (Spectrum), Tuesday, August 17 (2004).

·         My Post-Doctoral research work has been highlighted in the local news paper @ http://www1.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/article/0,2545,TCP_16736_4783028,00.html, TC Palm, Sunday, June 18 (2006).