Responsibilities:
– Currently working on science research and development projects of natural farming.

Research interests and experience in:

– Natural farming, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Crop Biotechnology, Bioassays, Functional Genomics and Crop Improvement, and Plant tissue culture.

Education details:

– B.Sc (Microbiology, Zoology, Chemistry), B.Ed. (Biology), M.Sc. (Microbiology), from Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati, Ph.D. (Biotechnology) work done at Indian
Institute of Millets Research, awarded from Jawahar Lal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.

Thesis title: “Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for fodder yield and quality in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.)” from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India in 2020.

Working Experience:
– Worked as a Biology teacher (Part-Time) from classes VIII to X from the year 2002 to 2007 at Vignan High School, Puthalapattu, Chittoor, A.P.
– Worked as a Microbiology Lecturer at Anne Biscent PG college, Hyderabad from July 2007 to 10th December 2007.

– Worked as SRF (Senior Research Fellow) in network project on “Biotechnological approach towards Forage Crop Improvement “at Indian Institute of Millets Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad from 11th December’2007 to 11th October’2010. Worked at coordination cell data editing, compilation, scientific document correction, meeting arrangements, training arrangements, bill preparation, data entry, all biotechnology molecular biology lab works, field works, etc.
– Worked as a Ph.D. scholar at Indian Institute of Millets Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad from 12th October’2010 to 30th May’2017.
– Worked as a Zoology lecturer at Reliance Junior college, Hyderabad from 1st June 2017 to 31st March 2018.
– Worked as a HOD Science at Marg Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Tirupati, Dealing Subject Biology from Higher classes to Intermediate from 2nd December 2019 to 30th November 2021.
– Present working as a Project Executive (Science research and development) at APCNF, RySS, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh from 7th December 2021 to till today.

Technical skills:
– Isolation of Electrophoresis analysis of nucleic acids, Plasmids, Electro elution, and its restriction enzyme analysis.
– Southern and Western Blotting analysis.
– Transformation of Bacteria.
– Chromatography (TLC and Paper), Centrifugation Techniques.
– Qualitative and Quantitative tests for Sugars, Amino acids, Proteins, and Cholesterol.
– Experience in Biotechnology related works, PCR, Sorghum Tissue Culture, Plant DNA Isolation, Genetic Transformation, Molecular Biology Techniques, and field experience.
– Maintenance of gene bank and filed related works.
– Biotechnology: Plant genomic DNA isolation, plasmid DNA isolation procedures, PCR, RT-PCR, gene cloning, sequencing, DNA restriction digestion analysis, Southern blotting, Stem borer infestation bioassay, maintenance of microbial and plant cultures, expression analysis using real-time PCR and ELISA, backcrossing molecular markers specifically SSR markers and mutational studies in sorghum. Plant tissue culture techniques; Plant transformation using Agrobacterium-mediated.
– Biochemistry: Paper, Thin layer and Column chromatography, SDS PAGE and Agarose gel electrophoresis, Characterization of Enzymes, Experience in handling microprocessor-based spectrophotometer and centrifuges.

Achievements:
– Received GOLD MEDAL for securing the highest marks in M.Sc. Microbiology.

Abstracts presented at International/National/Symposiums:
K PUSHPA, P MADHU, D BALAKRISHNA, JV PATIL & B VENKATESH BHAT 2013.
Importing tolerance to Sucking pests in sorghum using lectin gene. In: Global
Consultation on Millets for Health and Nutritional Security” at Directorate of
Sorghum Research, Hyderabad.

P MADHU, K PUSHPA, D BALAKRISHNA, JV PATIL & B VENKATESH BHAT
2013.Engineering Apomixis in sorghum by down-regulating somatic embryogenesis
receptor kinase gene. In: Global Consultation on Millets for Health and Nutritional
Security” at Directorate of Sorghum Research, Hyderabad.

P MADHU, K PUSHPA, D BALAKRISHNA, JV PATIL & B VENKATESH BHAT
2013.Somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase (SERK) genes in sorghum. In:
International conference on advances in biotechnology and Bioinformatics,
Dr.Y.PatilVidyapeeth, Pune.

Publications:
Pushpa, K., Madhu, P., Venkatesh Bhat, B. and Balakrishna, D 2017. “Effect of
hygromycin on explant selection in genetic transformation experiments of
sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench), International Journal of Current Research,
9, (12), 62294-62296.

Pushpa, K., Madhu, P., Venkatesh Bhat 2019. “Estimation of HCN in Sorghum under
irrigated and stressed conditions”, Journal of Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry
Vol. 8, Issue 3, Part AJ.

Pushpa, K., Venkatesh Bhat, B. and Balakrishna D., 2019.” Variability and
association studies among stover yield and quality related traits in sorghum”,
International Journal of Current Research, Vol.11, issue 06, June 2019.

Madhu P, Pushpa K, Venkatesh Bhat B, Balakrishna D Effect of Kanamycin on
Explant Selection in Genetic Transformation Experiments of Sorghum International
Journal of Scientific Research, Vol: 4, Issue: 7 July 2015.

Participations:
– Participated in the “Awareness and Training Programme on Plant Variety Protection and DUS training” on 22nd March 2013 at the Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad.
– Participated and abstract presented at “Global Consultation on Millets for Health and Nutritional Security” conducted by Directorate of Sorghum Research, Hyderabad on 18th 20th December 2013.
– Participated in 2nd AP Science Congress organized by Andhra Pradesh Academe of Science, Hyderabad, and Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati on 14th -16th November’2009.
– Participated in village camps and done many services as an NSS (National Service Scheme) volunteer for FIVE years to create awareness of AIDS in many villages, health care, and hygiene.
– Participated in two PRE REPUBLIC-DAY camps (Bhubaneswar, Raipur).
– Participated in Medical Microbiology Seminar in Aragonda Apollo – Hospital, Aragonda, Chittoor.