Dr. Sudha Manickam won Women Researcher Award
in the field of Biotechnology

BY SCIENTIFIC LAURELS Tamil Nadu Agricultural University INDIA

| Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | INDIA

Dr. Sudha Manickam is an accomplished molecular biotechnologist currently serving as Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Biotechnology, CPMB&B, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, since 19 July 2014. Over the years, she has established herself as a dedicated researcher and academician in the field of plant biotechnology, focusing on molecular genetics, crop improvement, and genomic technologies.

Research Focus & Contributions

Dr. Sudha’s research primarily revolves around:

  • Unravelling the molecular genetic basis of MYMV resistance in pulses.

  • Applying genomics and genome-editing approaches for improvement of rice and tomato.

  • Establishing a standard Agroinoculation protocol to screen MYMV resistance in pulses.

  • Development of antidiabetic rice CO 57 through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding (released in 2022).

  • Contribution to improved rice varieties:

    • Improved White Ponni–Saltol (registered under PPVFRA).

    • Development of abiotic stress–tolerant rice genotypes (CBMAS14065, CBMAS14142, CBMAS14110) at OFT/ART/MLT evaluation stages.

  • Successfully operating nine externally funded projects supported by DBT and DST, New Delhi.

  • Authorship of 58 peer-reviewed research publications, significant contributions to crop biotechnology, and 11 prestigious awards during the reporting period.

Honours & Awards

International Awards

  • Best Researcher International Award – IRDP (2023)

  • Best Researcher Award – INSO (2023)

National Recognitions

  • ASARSD Membership for Outstanding Contributions to Biotechnology (2019)

  • Adarsh Vidya Saraswati Rashtriya Puruskar – National Award of Excellence (2022)

  • Editorial Board Member, Glacier Journal of Scientific Research (2022)

  • Young Women Scientist Award – Just Agriculture (2023)

State/University Awards

  • Recognition Certificate for externally funded DST project on MYMV resistance (2016–2019)

  • Multiple Appreciation Certificates (2022) for:

    • Development of VR, AR, and Computer-Aided Teacher Augmentation (CoATA) software for Next-Generation DNA Sequencing technologies under TNAU-IDP.

Other Distinctions

  • Visiting Scientist, International Training at SLU, Sweden (May–July 2023)

Academic Leadership & Capacity Building

  • Organized 18 conferences, seminars, trainings, and workshops, contributing significantly to academic leadership and knowledge dissemination within plant biotechnology.

  • Actively involved in technology-driven teaching innovations such as VR/AR educational tools.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sudha Manickam’s profile strongly aligns with the criteria for high-level women researcher recognitions, including the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels, due to:

  1. Significant scientific contributions in molecular plant biotechnology.

  2. Proven research leadership, evidenced by nine externally funded projects from national agencies (DBT/DST).

  3. Substantial publication record with 58 research papers and ongoing impactful research.

  4. Innovations in educational technology (VR, AR, CoATA) for genomics teaching.

  5. National and international recognition through multiple awards.

  6. Active mentoring, scientific outreach, and workshop/conference organization.

  7. Development of improved crop varieties, demonstrating translational research for agriculture.

  8. International exposure as a Visiting Scientist at SLU, Sweden.

Considering her sustained excellence, research impact, and leadership, Dr. Sudha Manickam is highly eligible and a strong candidate for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels.