Education

Ph.D. Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India (1987)

M.Sc. Integrated Biology, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India (1981)

B.Sc. Zoology & Botany, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India (1979)

Research Areas

Fats and oils − as nutraceuticals and dietary supplements

Biochemistry and molecular biology of plant oils

Professional Experience

Academic

• Aug 2012 to date  ⇒  Director, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Mysore 570 020.
• Dec 2007 to Apr 2015 ⇒  Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
• Apr 2009 to Aug 2012 ⇒  Director, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Lucknow 226015.
• Jul 2007 to Oct 2010 ⇒  Visiting Professor, School of Science, Monash University, Sunway campus, Malaysia.
• Apr 2001 to Dec 2007 ⇒  Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
• Apr 1995 to Mar 2001 ⇒  Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
• Apr 1991 to Aug 1994 ⇒  College Assistant Professor, Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA.
• Feb 1989 to Apr 1991 ⇒  Research Scientist Associate, E. I. duPont de Nemours Company, AgBiotech, DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, DE 19880, USA.
• Feb 1987 to Feb 1989 ⇒  Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.

Teaching Experience

• Sept. 2006 to Oct. 2010, teaching Undergraduate level Biochemistry courses at Monash University, Sunway Campus, Malaysia.
• Aug. 1995 to Feb. 2009, General Biochemistry course at the Indian Institute of Science as part of the course curriculum for the PhD students.

Number of Ph.Ds guided   :   Awarded: 25

Industrial

• Sep. 1994 to Mar. 1995 - Visiting Professor, Monsanto Company, 700, Chesterfield Parkway North, St. Louis, MO 63198, USA.
• May 2002 to Nov. 2002* - Founder Research Director, Bijam Biosciences Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad. To set-up R&D Facilities at Hyderabad for M/s Nagarjuna Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.
• June 2005 to Dec. 2005* - Founder Chief Scientific Officer at TICEL Bio Park, Tamil Nadu State Government, Chennai. To develop the Tamil Nadu State BioPark as a research driven operation and management.

*Served during the leave of absence from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.

Awards & Honours

Awards

• Professor G. V. Joshi Memorial Award - Indian Society of Plant Physiology (NCCP-2016) at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.
• Sir J C Bose Memorial Award 2014, Instituted by the Indian Science Monitor.
• Technology Award for Life Sciences − 2012, instituted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.
• Prof. I. S. Bhatia Memorial Award − 2011, Instituted by the Society of Biological Chemists, India.
• Pro Vice-Chancellor Award for excellence in Research − 2009, instituted by Monash University.
• Pro Vice-Chancellor Award for excellence in Research − 2008, instituted by Monash University.
• National Academy of Sciences, India − Reliance Industries: Platinum Jubilee Award for Application Oriented Innovations in Biological Sciences (2008).
• Sir C. V. Raman State Award in Life Sciences − 2004, instituted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore, India.
• National Bioscience Award for Career Development − 2002, instituted by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.
• Nagarjuna Group Agricultural Biotechnology Excellence Award − 1999, given by Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited, Hyderabad, India.

Honours

• J.C. Bose Fellow (2013) instituted by the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi.
• Fellow of Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India (2012).
• Elected Corresponding Member of the International Conference on the Bioscience of Lipids (ICBL; http://www.icbl.unibe.ch; 2010-2013).
• Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, India (2006).
• Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, India (2005).
• Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, India (2003).
• Elected Member of Guha Research Conference, Hyderabad, India (2002).

Patents

• Rajasekharan, R., Rodrigues, R., and Reddy, S. (2001) A novel herbicide comprising phytotoxins of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (LT) fungus, A process of producing the herbicide and a method of using the same − US Patent 6,277,786.
• Rajasekharan, R., and Daniel, J. (2002) A process for preparing a novel synergistic solid / semi−solid organic composition − US Patent 6,391,928.
• Rajasekharan, R., and Bhardwaj, K. (2002) Process of isolation and utilization of rice bran lipase − PCT International Publication No. WO 02/101033.
• Rajasekharan, R. (2007) A novel triacylglycerol biosynthesis in the cytosol of eukaryotes − US Patent 7,229,815.
• Rajasekharan, R. and Daniel J (2007) A novel reversible solid/semi−solid composition and a process for preparing the same. Indian Patent 208610.
• Rangarajan PN, Rajasekharan, R. and Mohanty A (2010) Cells expressing Pichia cytochrome C. US patent 7,892,792.
• Rajasekharan, R.Vivek Babu CS, and Venketa Rao DK (2013) Method of protecting plant(s) and a process thereof. US patent 8,383,128.
• Rajasekharan, R. and Vivek Babu CS (2013) Strains of fungi and a process for production of insecticide thereof. US patent 8,497,090.
• Rout PK, Nannaware AK and Rajasekharan, R (2014) Green process and catalyst for conversion of cellulose from aromatic biomass waste to hydroxymethyl furfural. PCT Int. Appl. (2013), WO 2013102911, A1 20130711.

Publications

• Rajvanshi PK, Arya M and Rajasekharan R (2017) Stress Regulatory Transcription Factors Regulate Fatty Acid Oxidation in Budding Yeast. J. Biol. Chem. JBC/2017/801704 M (Accepted).
• Sreedhar R V, Prasad P, Reddy LPA, Rajasekharan R and Srinivasan M (2017) Unravelling a Stearidonic Acid-Rich Triacylglycerol Biosynthetic Pathway in the Developing Seeds of Buglossoides arvensis: A Transcriptomic Landscape. Sci. Rep. Sep 5;7(1):10473. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-09882-y.
• Yadav PK and Rajasekharan R (2017) The m6A Methyltransferase Ime4 Epitranscriptionally Regulates Triacylglycerol Metabolism and Vacuolar Morphology in Haploid Yeast Cells. J. Biol. Chem. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M117.783761 (in press).
• Arya M, Srinivasan M and Rajasekharan R (2017) Human Alpha Beta Hydrolase Domain Containing Protein 11 and Its Yeast Homolog Are Lipid Hydrolase. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 487, 875-880.
• Yadav PK and Rajasekharan R (2017) Cardiolipin Deficiency Causes Triacylglycerol Accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mol. Cell. Biochem. 434, 89-103.
• Yadav KK, Singh N, Rajvanshi PK and Rajasekharan R (2016) The RNA Polymerase I Subunit Rpa12p Interacts with the Stress-Responsive Transcription Factor Msn4p to Regulate Lipid Metabolism in Budding Yeast. FEBS Lett. 590, 3559–3573.
• Visvanathan R and Rajasekharan R (2016) ATG15 Encodes a Phospholipase and Is Transcriptionally Regulated by YAP1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. FEBS Lett. 590, 3155–3167.
• Yadav PK, and Rajasekharan R (2016) Misregulation of a DDHD domain-containing lipase causes mitochondrial dysfunction in yeast. J. Biol. Chem.291, 18562-18581
• Yadav KK, and Rajasekharan R (2016) The transcription factor GCN4 regulates PHM8 and alters triacylglycerol metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curr. Genet. 62, 841-851
• Singh N, Yadav KK, and Rajasekharan R (2016) ZAP1-mediated modulation of triacylglycerol levels in yeast by transcriptional control of mitochondrial fatty acid biosynthesis. Mol. Microbiol. 100, 55−75.
• Kanagavijayan D, Rajasekharan R, and M. Srinivasan (2016) Yeast MRX deletions have short chronological life span and more triacylglycerols.FEMS Yeast Res. 16 (1), fov109.
• Vijayakumar A, Vijayaraj P, Vijayakumar AK, and Rajasekharan R (2016) The Arabidopsis ABHD11 Mutant Accumulates Polar Lipids in Leaves as a Consequence of Absent Acylhydrolase Activity. Plant Physiol. 170, 180−193.
• Yadav KK, Singh N, and Rajasekharan R (2015) The PHO4 Transcription Factor Regulates Triacylglycerol Metabolism Under Low Phosphate Conditions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mol. Microbiol. 98, 456−472.
• Sreedhar RV, Kumari P, Rupwate SD, Rajasekharan R, and M. Srinivasan (2015) Exploring Triacylglycerol Biosynthetic Pathway in Developing Seeds of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.): A Transcriptomic Approach. PLoS One. 2015 Apr. 13; 10(4):e0123580. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123580. eCollection 2015. PMID: 25875809.
• Rani SH, Saha S, and Rajasekharan R (2013) A soluble diacylglycerol acyltransferase is involved in triacylglycerol biosynthesis in oleaginous yeast, Rhodotorula glutinis. Microbiology 159, 155−166.
• Vijayaraj P, Jashal CB, Vijayakumar A, Rani SH, Venkata Rao DK, and Rajasekharan R (2012) A Bifunctional Enzyme That Has Both Monoacylglycerol Acyltransferase and Lipase Activities. Plant Physiol. 160, 667−683.
• Rupwate SD, Rupwate PS, and Rajasekharan R (2012) Regulation of Lipid Biosynthesis by Phosphatidylinositol−Specific Phospholipase C through the Transcriptional Repression of Upstream Activating Sequence Inositol Containing Genes. FEBS Lett. 586, 1555−1560.
• Parthibane V, Iyappan R, Vijayakumar V, Venkateshwari V, and Rajasekharan R (2012) Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine Protein Kinase Phosphorylates Oleosin, a Regulator of Lipid Metabolic Functions. Plant Physiol. 159, 95−104.
• Parthibane V, Rajakumari S, Venkateshwari V, Iyappan R, and Rajasekharan R (2012) Oleosin Is a Bifunctional Enzyme That Has Both Monoacylglycerol Acyltransferase and Phospholipase Activities. J. Biol. Chem. 287, 1946−1954.
• Rupwate SD, and Rajasekharan R (2012) C2 Domain Is Responsible for Targeting Rice Phosphoinositide Specific Phospholipase C. Plant Mol. Biol. 78, 247−258.
• Hima Rani S, Anantha Krishna TH, Saha S, Negi AS, and Rajasekharan R (2010) Defective in Cuticular Ridges (DCR) of Arabidopsis thaliana, a Gene Associated with Surface Cutin Formation, Encodes a Soluble Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase. J. Biol. Chem. 285, 38337−38347.
• Rajakumari S, Rajasekharan R and G. Daum (2010) Triacylglycerol Lipolysis Is Linked to Sphingolipid and Phospholipid Metabolism of the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1801, 1314−1322.
• Reddy VS, Venkat Rao DK, and Rajasekharan R (2010) Functional Characterization of Lysophosphatidic Acid Phosphatase from Arabidopsis thaliana. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1801, 455−461.
• Ghosh AK, Chauhan N, Rajakumari S, Daum G, and Rajasekharan R (2009) At4g24160, a Soluble Acyl−Coenzyme A−Dependent Lysophosphatidic Acid Acyltransferase. Plant Physiol. 151, 869−881.
• Ghosh AK, Ramakrishnan G, Chandramohan C, and Rajasekharan R (2008) CGI−58, The Causative Gene for Chanarin−Dorfman Syndrome, Mediates Acylation of Lysophosphatidic Acid. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 24525−24533.
• Ghosh AK, Ramakrishnan G, and Rajasekharan R (2008) YLR099C (ICT1) Encodes for a Soluble Acyl−CoA Dependent Lysophosphatidic Acid Acyltransferase Responsible for Enhanced Phospholipid Synthesis upon Organic Solvent Stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 9768−9775.
• Reddy VS, Singh AK, and Rajasekharan R (2008) The Saccharomyces cerevisiae PHM8 Gene Encodes a Soluble Magnesium Dependent Lysophosphatidic Acid Phosphatase. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 8846−8854.
• Srinivas M, Rajakumari S, Narayana Y, Joshi B, katoch VM, Rajasekharan R, and K. N. Balaji (2008) Functional characterization of a phospholipase C activity of Rv3487c and its localization to cell wall in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J. Biosci. 33, 221−230.
• Reddy MM, Rudrabhatla P, and Rajasekharan R (2007) Importance of Threonine Residues in the Regulation of Peanut Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine Protein Kinase Activity. Plant Science 172, 1054−1059.
• Reddy MM, and Rajasekharan R (2007). Serine/threonine/tyrosine protein kinase from Arabidopsis thaliana is dependent on serine residues for its activity. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 460, 122−128.
• Reddy MM, and Rajasekharan R (2006) Role of Threonine Residues in the Regulation of Manganese−Dependent Arabidopsis Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine Protein Kinase Activity. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 455, 99−109.
• Srinivasan M, Nachiappan V and Rajasekharan R (2006) Potential application of urea−derived herbicides as cytokinins in plant tissue culture. J. Biosci. 31, 599−605.
• Saha S, Enugutti B, Rajakumari S and Rajasekharan R (2006) Cytosolic Triacylglycerol Biosynthetic Pathway in Plants: Molecular Cloning and Expression of Peanut Cytosolic Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase. Plant Physiol. 141, 1533−1543.
• Rajakumari S, Srinivasan M and Rajasekharan R (2006) Spectrophotometric Method for Quantitative Determination of Nonionic, Ionic and Zwitterionic Detergents. J. Biochem. Biophys. Method 68, 133−137.
• Rudrabhatla P, Reddy MM and Rajasekharan R (2006) Genome−Wide analysis and Experimentation of Plant Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine−Specific Protein Kinases. Plant Mol. Biol. 60, 295−320.
• Rudrabhatla P, and Rajasekharan R (2004) Functional characterization of peanut serine/threonine/tyrosine protein kinase: molecular docking and inhibition kinetics with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Biochemistry 43, 12123−12132.
• Raychaudhuri S, and Rajasekharan R (2003) Non−Organellar Acyl Carrier Protein from Oleaginous Yeast is a Homologue of Ribosomal Protein P2. J. Biol. Chem. 278, 37648−37657.
• Daniel J, Abraham L, Balaji K, and Rajasekharan R (2003) Biosynthesis of Stearate−Rich Triacylglycerol in Developing Embryos and Microsomal Membranes from Immature Seeds of Garcinia indica Chois. Curr. Sci. 85, 363−370.
• Daniel J, and Rajasekharan R (2003) Organogelation of Plant Oils and Hydrocarbons by Long−Chain Saturated Fatty Acids, Fatty Alcohols, Wax Esters, and Dicarboxylic Acids. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 80, 417−421.
• Raychaudhuri S, Reddy MM, Rajkumar NR, and Rajasekharan R (2003) Cytosolic Iron Superoxide Dismutase is a Part of Triacylglycerol Biosynthetic Complex in Oleaginous Yeast. Biochem. J. 372, 587−594.
• Rudrabhatla P, and Rajasekharan R (2003) Mutational Analysis of Stress Responsive Peanut Dual Specificity Protein Kinase: Identification of Tyrosine Residues Involved in Regulation of Protein Kinase Activity. J. Biol. Chem. 278, 17328−17335.
• Lata S, Bhardwaj K, and Rajasekharan R (2003) A Single Step Procedure for the Synthesis of Photoreactive and Radioactive Glycerolipids.Anal. Biochem. 313, 155−159.
• Rudrabhatla P, and Rajasekharan R (2002) Developmentally Regulated Dual−Specificity Kinase from Peanut That Is Induced by Abiotic Stresses. Plant Physiol. 130, 380−390.
• Gangar A, Raychaudhuri S, and Rajasekharan R (2002) Alteration in the Cytosolic Triacylglycerol Biosynthetic Machinery leads to decreased Cell Growth and Triacylglycerol Synthesis in Oleaginous Yeast. Biochem. J. 365, 577−589.
• Shekar S, Tumaney AW, Rao TJVS and Rajasekharan R (2002) Isolation of Lysophosphatidic Acid Phosphatase from Developing Peanut Cotyledons. Plant Physiol. 128, 988−996.
• Bhardwaj K, Raju A, and Rajasekharan R (2001) Identification, Purification and Characterization of a Thermally Stable Lipase from Rice Bran: New Member of the (Phospho)lipase Family. Plant Physiol. 127, 1728–1738.
• Gangar A, Karande AA, and Rajasekharan R (2001) Purification and Characterization of Acyl−Acyl Carrier Protein Synthetase from Oleaginous Yeast and Its Role in Triacylglycerol Biosynthesis. Biochem. J. 360, 471–479.
• Gangar A, Karande AA, and Rajasekharan R (2001) Isolation and Localization of a Cytosolic 10S Triacylglycerol Biosynthetic Multienzyme Complex from Oleaginous Yeast. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 10290−10298.
• Tumaney AW, Shekar S, and Rajasekharan R (2001) Identification, Purification of Monoacylglycerol Acyltransferase from Developing Peanut Cotyledons. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 10847−10852.
• Reddy PS, Rodrigues R, and Rajasekharan R (2001) Shoot Organogenesis and Mass Propagation of Coleus forskohlii from Leaf−Derived Callus. Plant Cell, Tiss. Org. Cult. 66, 183−188.
• Tumaney AW, and Rajasekharan R (1999) Synthesis of Azidophospholipids and Labeling of Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferase from Developing Soybean Cotyledons. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1439, 47−56.
• Tumaney, AW, Narkunaraja S, and Rajasekharan R (1999) Identification of Lysophosphatidic Acid Acyltransferase in Microsomal Membranes of Developing Castor Endosperm. Curr. Sci. 76, 660−664.
• Shockey JM, Rajasekharan R, and Kemp JD (1995) Photoaffinity Labeling of Developing Jojoba Seed Microsomal Membranes with a Photoactive Analog of Acyl−Coenzyme A. Plant Physiol. 107, 155−160.
• Rajasekharan R, and Nachiappan V (1994) Use of Photoreactive Substrates for Characterization of Lysophosphatidate Acyltransferases from Developing Soybean Cotyledons. Arch. Biochem. Biophys.311, 389−394.
• Rajasekharan R, and Kemp JD (1994) Synthesis of Photoreactive Phosphatidyl−ethanolamine and Its Interaction with Phospholipase A₂. J. Lipid Res. 35, 45−51.
• Nachiappan V and Rajasekharan R (1994) Enzymatic Synthesis of [³²P]Acyl−sn−Glycerol−3−Phosphate using Diacylglycerol Kinase. Anal. Biochem. 222, 283−285.
• Rajasekharan R, Nachiappan V, and Roychowdhury HS (1994) Photoaffinity Labeling of Microsomal Membrane Proteins with Photoreactive Acyl−CoA Analogs. Eur. J. Biochem. 220, 1013−1018.
• Nachiappan V, Mufti SI, Chakravarthi A, Eskelson CD, and Rajasekharan R (1994) Lipid Peroxidation and Ethanol−Related Tumor Promotion in Fischer−344 Rats Treated with Tobacco−Specific Nitrosamines. Alcohol Alcoholism 29, 565−574.
• Rajasekharan R,Marians RC, Shockey JM, and Kemp JD (1993) Photoaffinity Labeling of Acyl−CoA Oxidase with 12−Azidooleoyl−CoA and 12−[(4−Azidosalicyl)amino]dodecanoyl−CoA. Biochemistry 32, 12386−12391.
• Rajasekharan R, and Sastry PS (1990) Effect of Thiocarbamate, Urea and Uracil Herbicides in Lipid Metabolism in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) Leaves. Biochem. Cell Biol. 68, 567−573.
• Rajasekharan S, Rajasekharan R, and Vaidyanathan CS (1990) Substrate Mediated Purification and Characterization of meta−Hydroxybenzoic Acid–6−Hydroxylase from Micrococcus. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 278, 21−25.
• Rajasekharan R, and Sastry PS (1988) Effect of Phenoxy Acids and Their Derivatives on Lipid Metabolismin Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) Leaves. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 33, 26−36.
• Rajasekharan R, Ray TK, and Cronan JE, Jr. (1988) A Direct Nonchromatographic Assay for 1−Acyl−sn−Glycerol−3−Phosphate Acyltransferase.Anal. Biochem. 173, 376−382.
• Rajasekharan R, and Sastry PS (1987) Effect of Pyridazinone Herbicides on Lipid Metabolism in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) Leaves. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 29, 163−175.

Invited Reviews and Book Chapters

• Singh N, Yadav KK, and Rajasekharan R (2017) Effect of Zinc Deprivation on the Lipid Metabolism of Budding Yeast. Curr. Genet. DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0704-9. PMID: 28500379.
• Yadav KK, Singh N, and Rajasekharan R (2016) DDHD domain-containing lipases: Targets for the treatment of rare diseases. J Rare Dis Res & Treatment. 1 (2): 34-38.
• Vijayakumar A, and Rajasekharan R (2016) Distinct Roles of Alpha/Beta Hydrolase Domain Containing Proteins. Biochem Mol Biol J. DOI: 10.21767/2471-8084.100018.
• Rout PK, Nannaware AD, Prakash O, Kalra A, and Rajasekharan R (2016) Synthesis of hydroxymethyl furfural from cellulose using green processes: A promising biochemical and biofuel feedstock. Chem. Eng. Sci. 142, 318–346.
• Yadav KK, Singh N, and Rajasekharan R (2015) Responses to Phosphate Deprivation in Yeast Cells. Curr. Genet. 62, 301-307 851.
• Rout PK, Nannaware AD, and Rajasekharan R (2014) Depolymerization of cellulose and synthesis of hexitols from cellulose using heterogeneous catalysts. ChemBioEng. Rev. 1, 96–116.
• Rajasekharan R, and Nachiappan V (2010) Biosynthesis and regulation of fatty acids. In Plant Developmental Biology - Biotechnological Perspectives: Volume 2, Chapter 6, pp. 105-115 (Pua, E. C. and Davey, M., Eds.) Springer Publishing Company, Heidelberg, Germany.
• Rupwate SD, and Rajasekharan R (2012) Plant Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C – An insight. Plant Signaling & Behavior. 7, 1281-1283.

Membership of Association and Institution

• Chairman, Food and Agriculture Sectorial Committee of the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (serving).
• Chairman of Drink & Drinking Water Sectional Committee, FAD 14, Bureau of Indian Standards, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, New Delhi (serving).
• Chairman, Expert Committee to suggest parameters - Mid Day Meal Scheme, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi (serving).
• Chairman, Research Advisory Committee, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (serving).
• Co-Chairperson of Interview Boards, DRDO – Recruitment and Assessment Centre, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi (serving).
• Acting Director, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Set up by an Act of Parliament, An Institute for National Importance (served).
• Chairman, Task Force on "Biotechnological Approaches for Food and Nutritional Security", Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, New Delhi (served).
• Chairman, Project Screening Committee-2 on Research & Development of National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi (served).
• Chairman, Evaluation Committee for an independent evaluation of the "Technology Development and Utilization Programme for Women (TDUPW)" scheme of DSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, New Delhi (served).
• Member, KVPY, National Fellowships for Students Interested in Research Careers, National Management Committee (serving).
• Member, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) in Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, New Delhi (serving).
• Member of the Committee to suggest/recommend to the Government for formulation specifications of food grains for central pool procurement, Ministry of Consumer Affairs & Food and Public Distribution, New Delhi (serving).
• Member of Project Approval Committee (PAC), Plan Coordination Division, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, New Delhi (serving).
• Member of Board of Basmati Export Development Foundation, Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, New Delhi (serving).
• Member of Vision Group on Biotechnology, Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka (serving).
• Member of Research Council, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi (served).
• Member of Research Council, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow (served).
• Member of Research Council, CSIR-Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad (served).
• Member of Expert Panel, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana (serving).
• Member in Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Plant Sciences Taskforce - EMR-II, Ministry of Science & Technology, New Delhi (served).
• Adjunct Professor at Mangalore University, Mangalore, Karnataka (serving).
• Member of Kerala Skill Development (Serving).
• Member of Spice Board, Govt. of India (Serving).
• Member of Coconut Board, Govt. of India (Serving).
• Research Advisory Boards (Private and Public Universities in four).
• Jury Member for Confederation of Indian Industry – Food safety award (serving).