Assoc. Prof. Sachin Kumar is an accomplished plant geneticist and molecular breeder specializing in plant genomics, wheat genetics, and molecular breeding. He earned his Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut, India, in 2012, where his doctoral research focused on physical mapping of DNA-based molecular markers and genome analysis in bread wheat.

Following his Ph.D., he was awarded the prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Visiting Fellowship under the Canadian Government Laboratories Program at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Saskatchewan, Canada, where he contributed to the internationally recognized Canadian Triticum Advancement through Genomics project funded by Genome Canada.

He joined CCS University as an Assistant Professor in 2015 in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding and was promoted to Associate Professor in the Department of Botany in 2024. Over nearly two decades of research and academic experience, he has established himself as a leading researcher in wheat genomics, climate-resilient crop improvement, and molecular breeding.

Research Expertise & Scientific Contributions

Assoc. Prof. Sachin Kumar's research focuses on integrating genomics, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and precision breeding for the improvement of cereal crops, particularly wheat.

His major scientific contributions include:

• Development of high-density SNP genetic maps and advanced molecular markers for wheat improvement.
• Identification of QTLs, Meta-QTLs, GWAS loci, and candidate genes associated with:
  • Heat tolerance
  • Drought tolerance
  • Rust resistance
  • Grain quality
  • Pre-harvest sprouting tolerance
• Development of KASP markers for marker-assisted breeding.
• Contribution to the internationally recognized WheatQTLdb, comprising more than 11,500 wheat QTLs.
• Development of climate-resilient wheat germplasm through marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding.
• Bioinformatics-based prediction and validation of candidate genes controlling economically important traits.
• Development of virus resistance markers in urdbean using advanced genomic approaches.

His research has significantly advanced genomic-assisted breeding strategies for food security and sustainable agriculture.

Research Projects & Leadership

Assoc. Prof. Kumar has successfully led and contributed to numerous nationally funded competitive research projects.

He is currently:

• Principal Investigator of a multi-institutional BIRAC-USAID funded project on developing heat-tolerant, climate-resilient wheat.

He has also served as:

• Principal Investigator of projects funded by:
  • DST-SERB
  • UGC
  • UP Research & Development
  • University Research Grant Scheme
• Co-Principal Investigator in major DBT-funded national wheat improvement projects on drought tolerance and rust resistance.

His cumulative research funding amounts to several crores of rupees through highly competitive grants.

Publications & Academic Impact

Assoc. Prof. Sachin Kumar has an outstanding scholarly record with:

• 40+ peer-reviewed international research publications
• Multiple book chapters published by Springer and CRC Press
• Contributions to internationally recognized wheat databases
• Publications in high-impact journals including:
  • Theoretical and Applied Genetics
  • BMC Plant Biology
  • BMC Genomics
  • Molecular Breeding
  • Plant Genome
  • Frontiers in Genetics
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • Field Crops Research
  • PLoS ONE
  • Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology

His research has significantly influenced modern wheat breeding and genomics worldwide.

Awards, Fellowships & Recognitions

Assoc. Prof. Kumar has received numerous prestigious recognitions, including:

• NSERC Visiting Fellowship, Government of Canada
• DST-SERB Early Career Research Award (ECRA)
• SERB International Travel Grants
• ANRF International Travel Grant
• UGC-BSR Research Start-Up Grant
• Young Researcher in Genetics and Plant Breeding Award (VISTA 2021)
• Indo Asian Research Excellence Award
• Research Excellence Award
• Best Research Paper Award (ISATRE)

These awards reflect his outstanding contributions to plant genomics and crop improvement research.

International Exposure & Scientific Collaboration

He has extensive international research experience through collaborations with:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
• Genome Canada
• North Dakota State University, USA
• University of Washington, USA
• International Wheat Congress
• Plant & Animal Genome Conferences
• Researchers from Australia, Canada, USA, Japan, Europe, and India.

His collaborative work has strengthened global research on wheat genomics and climate resilience.

Academic Leadership & Professional Service

Apart from teaching undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students, Assoc. Prof. Kumar has:

• Organized numerous international conferences and workshops.
• Served as Organizing Secretary and Conference Coordinator for genomics conferences.
• Held several university administrative responsibilities, including:
  • Assistant Proctor
  • Warden
  • IQAC Member
  • Nodal Officer (SWAYAM)
  • Nodal Officer (Artificial Intelligence)
  • Member of Institutional Ethics Committees
  • Environment and Social Focal Officer under the World Bank-supported UPCAMP initiative.

He is also a life member of several prestigious national and international scientific societies.

Areas of Specialization

• Plant Genomics
• Wheat Genetics
• Molecular Breeding
• Quantitative Genetics
• Crop Improvement
• QTL Mapping
• GWAS
• Marker-Assisted Selection
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture
• Bioinformatics
• Plant Biotechnology

Eligibility for Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Sachin Kumar is highly eligible for the Scientific Laurels – Best Researcher Award based on his exceptional research achievements and international scientific impact.

• Distinguished expertise in plant genomics and molecular breeding with global recognition.
• Prestigious NSERC (Canada) and DST-SERB Early Career Research Award recipient.
• Principal Investigator of major BIRAC-USAID collaborative research on climate-resilient wheat.
• Successfully completed multiple competitive projects funded by DST, DBT, UGC, BIRAC, and UP R&D.
• Published 40+ high-impact international research papers in leading journals.
• Developed innovative genomic resources, QTL databases, and molecular markers widely used in wheat breeding.
• Significant contributions toward food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
• Strong international collaborations with renowned research organizations in Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, and Europe.
• Active leadership in academic administration, scientific conferences, mentoring, and research capacity building.

With his internationally recognized contributions to plant genomics, molecular breeding, climate-resilient crop development, high-impact publications, funded research projects, and scientific leadership, Assoc. Prof. Sachin Kumar is an excellent candidate for the Scientific Laurels – Best Researcher Award. His sustained excellence in research and innovation has made a substantial impact on agricultural science and global wheat improvement.