Dr. Kishan Saha is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at Bowie State University. My research training as a PhD scholar started in the region of Tripura in India, where I worked in cytogenetics, studying the genetic diversity of the Zingiberaceae plant family utilizing molecular approaches such as DNA barcoding and DNA fingerprinting. This engagement fostered a deep concern for plant genome conservation and the intricacies associated with it. Following attaining my PhD, I undertook further studies on small RNA regulation in the development of potato tubers at IISER Pune, India, as a research associate. I further studied the roles of gibberellin biosynthesis and signaling in the transcriptional regulation of PLETHORA TFs. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Bowie State University, I have been investigating abiotic stress response mechanisms in bananas and plantains, investigating transcription factors and miRNAs that advance tolerance to adversity. I lead the plant genomics laboratory (molecular biology), maintain the tissue culture labs, and supervise undergraduate and graduate students pursuing molecular biology and biotechnology. My research interests span the biology of plant stress, genomics, small RNA pathways, and plant biotechnology related to crop enhancement in yield and resilience towards exigencies posed by climate change. I focus on research and education with a view to promoting practices that will enhance sustainability in agriculture.
Dr. Supriyo Ray joined the Natural Sciences department at Bowie State University in the fall of 2019. Prior to joining Bowie State, Dr. Ray worked at the at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), University of California San Diego, CA, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, CA and National Institute of Malaria Research, India. He holds a doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences and a master’s degree in Microbiology & Molecular Biology (Infectious Diseases) from University of Central Florida (UCF), FL, and a master’s degree in Biotechnology (Plants) from India. His research focuses on Sustainability (Food Security, Bioenergy & Bioremediation) and Infectious Diseases (Drug discovery & Drug target validation).
