ARO Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2015)Previously shown that sugars, as the end product of photosynthesis, close the stomata of various angiosperm species, to coordinate sugar production with water loss. During the study, we examined the sugar responses of the stomata of phylogenetically different plant species and species that employ different photosynthetic mechanisms (i.e., C3, C4 and CAM). Sucrose reduced stomatal aperture, as compared to an osmotic control, suggesting that regulation of stomata by sugars is a trait that evolved early in evolutionary history and has been conserved across different groups of plants. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008-2010)Aluminum (Al) ions, especially Al3+, have a toxic effect on both plant and animal cells under low pH conditions. Andropogon virginicus L. and Miscanthus sinensis Anders. are high Al tolerant wild plants (upto 1000 μg/l) however Al responsive oxidative damage was reported. Nevertheless, its self-amelioration mechanism was unknown. Being high Al tolerant plants, the role of NO and its inhibitors (cPTIO) and exogenous application of NO in relation with Al toxicity and its amelioration strategies are studied.DBT Postdoctoral Fellowship (2006-2008)During this period, I had worked on “Biosorption of Heavy metals using seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica and S. potatorum- an initiative for bioprospection” and was also involved in “Biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous substrates using Prosopis juliflora L. (Mesquite) and Vetivera zizanioides (L.) Nash. (Vetiver grass) phytomass”. The significance of these studies was to develop a technology to remove toxic metals such as Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn in contaminated water by using the above-mentioned biosorbents. Doctoral study (2000-2005)Rapid in vitro multiplication protocols were established for Drosera indica and D. burmanii from shoot tips. Seed germination and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) study were carried out to identify the morphotypeswithin the D. indica (12 accessions) and D. burmanii (9 accessions). Attempts were also made to standardize the DNA isolation protocols and RAPD analysis. Since maintenance of existing levels of genetic variations has a critical role in conservation. Diversity analysis of O. indicum in the captive populations (8 accessions) was carried out using RAPD markers. Additional research experienceI was involved in the project “Ex-situ conservation and molecular characterization of rare, endangered, threatened, medicinal plants of Deccan plateau”.