Dr. Priti Sharma joined PAU as Assistant Professor on 06.08.2012 after completing BSc (Medical) from CSKHPKVV, Palampur in 1999, MSc. (Agricultural Biotechnology) from CSKHPKVV, Palampur. She did her PhD (Genetics) from PAU, Ludhiana in 2006. Her field of specialization is Plant Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics. Her major work includes identification of novel genes for biotic and abiotic stress resistance utilizing Wild species in Maize. The QTLs for drought stress, maydis leaf blight, stalk borer and other yield related traits have been mapped. She has completed one project funded by DBT as PI in 2021 and four projects funded by different agencies as Co-PI. Currently She has one DBT funded project as PI and three as Co-PI. She has guided 8 MSc. and 1 PhD student as major advisor, published 45 research papers in national and international journals and presented 20 papers in national and international conferences. She has in her credit to publication as co-author in a paper published by IWGSC in journal Science. She was selected by DBT for “Female Leadership in Crop and Agricultural Sciences” which was held at Clare College Cambridge (UK). She has standardized the protocol of genome editing in maize and took part in initiation of the development of Genome Editing Laboratory in Dr Khush Laboratories. 

Professional Accomplishments

Education: B.Sc., CSKHPKV, Palampur (1999); M.Sc., CSKHPKV, Palampur (2002); Ph.D., PAU, Ludhiana (2006)

Positions held: Assistant Professor (Genomics), School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU Ludhiana (August, 2012-Feb, 2015), Assistant Maize Breeder, Deptt. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU Ludhiana (Feb 2015-Sep, 2016), Assistant Professor (Biotechnology), School of Agricultural Biotechnolog, PAU Ludhiana (Oct, 2016-till date)

Research Interests:

1. Integrating biotechnology with maize improvement through marker-assisted selection and development of double haploids in maize. 
2. Breeding for multiple disease resistance and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. 
3. Initiatives in the area of genome editing for the crop improvement.

Research Projects (Ongoing/Completed):

1. DBT Project on Molecular mapping and transfer of novel gene(s) for earliness, mono-picking, powdery mildew and rust resistance in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) (PI) 
2. DBT Project on Genomic assisted breeding for plant type suited to high plant density planting and tolerance to waterlogging in maize (Co-PI) 
3. DBT Project on Fine mapping, cloning, and validation of brown planthopper resistance introgressed from Oryza nivara into O. sativa L. (Co-PI) 
4. DBT BUILDER-Punjab Agricultural University Interdisciplinary Life Science Programme for Advance Research and Education (Co-PI) 
5. DBT Project on Development of a haploid inducer stock through CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein complex mediated knockout of ZmPLA1 gene and its orthologue in Maize and Rice. (PI) 
6. UGC Project on Molecular mapping leaf rust resistance gene derived from Aegilopstauschii and its transfer into elite wheat cultivars. (Co-PI) 
7. DBT Project on Mining for heat tolerance of wheat in Australian and Indian environments. (Co-PI) 
8. ICAR Project on Genetic Enhancement for Low Moisture Stress Tolerance in Maize. (Co-PI) 
9. DBT Project on Programme support of enhancing durability of resistance to biotic stresses in selected cereal and fiber crops through biotech approaches. (Co-PI)

Research Publications :

1. Kumar P, Yadav S, Rani M, Narang D, Singla D, Dhall R K, Chhuneja P. and Sharma P. (2025) Genomics assisted mapping of earliness in pea (Pisum sativum L.) Molecular Biology Reports 52: 405 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-025-10506-2
2. Kaur R, Kaur G, Navpreet, Ashmita, Jindal J, Kumar R, Kumar P, Vikal Y and Sharma P (2025) Gaining insights into genomic regions associated with Chilo partellus resistance in teosinte-derived maize population. Front. Genet. 16:1577830. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1577830.
3. Kaur, R., Brar, K., Sharma, P. et al. Mapping of yield contributing drought tolerance QTLs in maize and its utilization in marker-assisted breeding. CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-025-00668-x.
4. Kaur H, Kyum M, Sandhu S, Singh G and Sharma P (2023). Protocol optimization and assessment of genotypic response for inbred line development through doubled haploid production in maize. BMC Plant Biology 23:219 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04228. (Naas Rating-11.26) 
5. Shifting the limits in wheat research and breeding through a fully annotated and anchored reference genome. International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) (2018). Science. 361:6403, eaar7191. (NAAS Rating: 20) 

Patents

1. Cloning of 3 novel genes modulated under drought stress conditions in tea (Camellia sinensis L. (O.) Kuntze) (Patent No. 238022 2010-01-18,India; 4302532 2009-05-01, Japan; KE290 2009-01-13, Kenya; 13490 2010-10-29, SriLanka, 7718788 2010-05-18, USA )

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

1. Best oral presentation award in “International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Livelihood Security” –27th-29th 2012,” at Punjab Agricultural University. 
2. Participated in “Female Leadership in Crop and Agricultural Sciences”, held at Clare College, Cambridge (UK), from 4th- 10th September 2016
3. Awarded SERB International Research Experience award for the year 2022-2023 supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India to work on the “Development of haploid inducer stock through gene-editing of PLA1 and DMP genes in maize” in collaboration with Dr Bing Yang at Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, (USA).