Resume
From Azhagu
Career Objective
To be an integral part of a molecular marker technology and genomic assisted breeding research team in the plant/seed industry.
Education
Ph.D., 2001- Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India.
M. Sc., 1997- Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India.
B. Sc., 1994 - Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Professional Experience
Sept 2008 Present : Assistant Research Scientist, working in genetic/physical mapping projects in wheat at AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, Amarillo, TX, USA
July 2006 Aug 2008 : Post-doctoral Research Associate, worked in genetic/physical mapping projects in wheat at AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, Amarillo, TX, USA
Mar 2005 July 2006 : Research Scientist/Post-doctorate, worked in allele mining projects in barley at Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
Jan 2004 Feb 2005 : Researcher, worked in genetic/physical mapping projects in barley at National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan
Dec 2001 Dec 2003 : JSPS-Post Doctoral Researcher, worked in genetic/physical mapping projects in barley at National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Japan
Sept 1999 Oct 2001 : Research Scholar, worked in genetic mapping of downy mildew resistance QTLs in pearl millet at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India
Awards
1. Awarded Student Project Fellowship from the Tamil Nadu State Council of Science and Technology for the Masters program-1997
2. Post doctoral Fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of science (JSPS), Japan (2001-2003).
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Best Thesis Award, for the outstanding post-graduate agricultural research in the field of Plant Biotechnology from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India (2002).
4. Research Scholar from the International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropic (ICRISAT), Hyderabad for Ph. D program funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and administered by the Centre for Arid Zone Studies (CAZS), UK (1999-2001).
Techniques Acquainted
Mapping population development and maintenance
Planned and executed crossing and selfing for development and maintenance of segregating populations in pearl millet/barley/wheat for genotyping and phenotyping.
Disease/pest screening and phenotyping
Collaborated with plant pathologist/entomologists and standardized robust protocols for disease (pearl millet downy mildew; Barley yellow mosaic and mild mosaic virus) and pest (wheat greenbug) screening for unambiguous phenotyping.
High-throughput DNA/RNA extraction (robotic liquid handling)
Extensive extraction of plant DNA was done in pearl millet, wheat and from barley. Specifically, the high-throughput DNA extraction using a liquid handling system and Qiagen Biorobot was carried out in barley allele mining project (II post doc, Germany). Extracted DNA was quantified using high throughput fluorimetry.
High-throughput sequencing and genotyping
As a routine part of mapping projects, sequencing and genotyping were carried out (for SNP detection). Initial experience gained in operating ABI310 analyzer (I post-doc in Japan- 2002) Subsequent experience with high throughput ABI3100 analyzer (I post-doc in Japan- 2003; II post-doc in Germany; present collaboration with USDA genotyping center). Also experience with MegaBace 1000, Amersham (II post-doc in Germany).
Molecular Marker Technology
A large number of RFLP, AFLP, RAPD, STS, SSR and SNP markers were used extensively for the pearl millet/barley/wheat genetic and physical mapping.
Molecular Marker Development
AFLP fragments were cloned and sequenced. SNPs were used to design CAP assay to get robust STS markers. EST data mining for SSR discovery and develop SNP based markers from the genic and genomics (BAC) sequences.
Microtomy and staining
Pearl millet anthers from different developmental stages were cross sectioned and characterized based on morphological variations of cytoplasmic male sterile lines and also differentiated with fertile lines.
cDNA synthesis/Micro-array
In barley allele mining project, natural or induced novel alleles of the targeted gene were compared between genic (cDNA) and genomic DNA sequences. Presently collaborating with KSU for array experiment in greenbug feeding and data analysis is underway.
BAC Fingerprinting, contig alignment and BAC sub-cloning
In physical mapping projects, chromosome walking was initiated using the closest genetic marker. Each cycle of walking involves BAC end sequencing, sequence annotation, HindIII finger printing, development of new marker from the BAC ends. Whenever necessary, custom made vectors were developed and used to clone larger HindIII digested fragments (10-20 kb). BAC end/full sequencing. Using pulse-field electrophoresis, estimation of the size of BAC clones was made and then contig covering the gene were sequenced.
Sequencing analysis
In allele mining project, ~10000 sequence reads were handled and analyzed (Lasergene and Sequencher) effectively and identified potential SNPs in the coding and non-coding regions of the rym4 and rym5 locus (II post doc , Germany).
EST data mining by grass genome synteny
Using the grass genome synteny, rice/Brachypodium genomic information was used extensively for marker saturation in barley and wheat mapping projects.
Genetic and physical mapping
Acquired knowledge in the basics of high resolution mapping, fine genetic/physical mapping and QTL identification and mapping in pearl millet, barley and wheat.
TILLING and Ecotilling using LI-COR
In allele mining project, natural and induced mutants were identified using TILLING and direct sequencing approaches in barley.
Exposure in Computers
Operating systems used : MS-DOS, Windows 9x, XP, Professional, Vista and Macintosh
Programming languages: Html, Xml
Proficiency in software: Genstat, Mapmaker/Exp, Mapmaker/QTL, Joinmap, QTL Cartographer, PlabQTL, Drawmap,Gentex, Oligo, Clustal
Sequence Data handling: Lasergene-Dnastar, Sequencher, bioedit, Genetic Profiler and Mutation Surveyor
Personal Minutiae
Date of Birth:19th May 1973
Nationality & Domicile: Indian, Tamil Nadu, India
Marital Status: Married Since Sep 2001
Language Skills: English (Excellent); Tamil (Mother tongue); Hindi (Fair); Japanese (Fair); German (Poor).
Driving Skills: Holding valid driving licenses issued from India, Japan, Germany & USA
Present Work Status: I am legally eligible to work in USA. My permanent residency application has been recently approved. I have the employment document (EAD).
Publications
16 peer reviewed journals (referred),
1 book chapter,
32 international conference abstracts,
28 sequence submissions
For publication details please go to http://www.azhaguvel.info/index.php?title=Publications
Nucleotide Submissions
NCBI Database: 28 entries under Nucleotides (GenBank accession ids are DQ414440-DQ414464, AB259782, AB259783, and EF067844).
