Dr. Pooja Manchanda joined PAU as Assistant Professor (Molecular Genetics) on 26.12.2017 after completing B.Sc. (Medical) from Panjab University, Chandigarh in 2008 and M.Sc. (Biotechnology) from PAU in 2010. She did her Ph.D. (Biotechnology) from PAU in 2015. She worked as Teaching Assistant at School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana from 28 May, 2015 to 16 December, 2016, Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana from 17 December, 2016 to 15 July, 2017, DST women scientist from 16 July, 2017 to 24 December, 2017 and  Assistant Professor (Molecular Genetics) from 26 December, 2017 till date. She was handling a women scientist project as PI when she joined the post of Assistant Professor (Molecular Genetics), hence, she completed one project funded by DST as PI. She subsequently completed two projects as PI, one on molecular mapping of parthenocarpy trait in cucumber funded by SERB-DST and another project on genome editing of potato funded by DBT. She has guided 4 M.Sc. students as major advisor and published 62 research papers in national and international Journals.

Professional Accomplishments

Education:  B.Sc. (Medical), Panjab University,Chandigarh (2008) ,M.Sc. (Biotechnology), PAU, Ludhiana (2010) ,Ph.D. (Biotechnology), PAU, Ludhiana (2015)

Positions held: Teaching Assistant: School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana: 2015-2016, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana: 2016-2017, Woman Scientist-DST, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana: July 2017-December 2017, Assistant Professor (Molecular Genetics): December 2017-Till date

Research  Interests

1. Genome editing 
2. Genetic transformation 
3. Molecular mapping 
4. Tissue culture

Ongoing project: 

1. DST Funded Project Development of resistant starch wheat using genome editing technology (PI) 

Research publications: 

1. Kaur H, Manchanda P, Kumar P, Dhall R K, Chhuneja P and Weng Y (2023) Genome wide identification and characterization of parthenocarpic fruit set-related gene homologs in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Scientific Reports 13, 2403. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29660-3 (NAAS Rating: 9.8, Impact factor: 3.8)
2. Singathiya P, Dhall R, Manchanda P, Kumari P, Garg R and Samyappan P (2025) Utilizing parthenocarpic gynoecious beit alpha cucumber inbreds for their heterotic potential under different poly-net house environments. Scientific Reports 15 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87507-5 (NAAS Rating: 9.8, Impact factor: 3.8)
3. Manchanda P, Kaur H, Dev A V, Mankoo R K, Kalia A, Sharma S P (2024) Determination of Phenolics, Flavonoids, and Radical Scavenging Activity in Different Potato Tissues and In Vitro Callus Cultures of Punjab Potato-101, Kufri Pukhraj, and Lady Rosetta. Food Analytical Methods 18(4):595-605 (NAAS Rating:4.58) https://doi.org/110.1007/s12161-024-02745-z (NAAS Rating: 8.6, Impact factor: 2.6)
4. Kaur H, Manchanda P, Sidhu G S and Chhuneja P (2024) Genome-wide identification and characterization of flowering genes in Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck: a comparison among C. Medica L., C. Reticulata Blanco, C. Grandis (L.) Osbeck and C. Clementina. BMC Genomic Data. 25: 20 https://doi.org/ 10.1186/s12863-024-01201-5 (NAAS Rating: 9.5, Impact factor: 3.5)
5. Manchanda P, Kaur H, Mankoo R K, Kaur A, Kaur J, Kaur S and Sidhu G S (2022) Optimization of extraction of bioactive phenolics and their antioxidant potential from callus and leaf extracts of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, C. reticulata Blanco and C. maxima (Burm.) Merr. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization 17, 1343-1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-022-01695-6  (NAAS Rating: 8.9, Impact factor: 2.9)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

1. 1. Young Scientist Award conferred by Punjab Academy of Sciences (22nd Punjab Science Congress 2019-20)
   2. Young Scientist Award (2022) conferred on the occasion of 3 days international conference on “Advances in Agricultural, Veterinary and Allied Sciences for improving livelihood and environmental security”
   3. ‘S. Jawahar Singh and Srd. Satbachan Kaur Memorial Young Scientist Award’ conferred by Punjab Academy of Sciences during 23rd Punjab Science Congress (2020-21)
   4. Dr. Avtar Singh Atwal Gold Medal in Master’s program from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2009-10
   5. Dr. Mohinder Singh Randhawa Gold Medal in Ph.D. from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2010-11
   6. Merit certificate in M.Sc. and B.Sc.
   7. Qualified CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF in June 2010 conducted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
   8. Qualified ICAR-NET in February 2013 conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
   9. Qualified ARS examination (PRELIMINARY + MAINS) in June 2013 conducted by Agricultural Recruitment Services Board
   10. 1st Prize in State level essay writing competition in December 2012