Dr Pushp Sharma, Principal Physiologist (Oilseeds) joined as Head, Department of Botany on December 23, 2022. Dr Sharma did her B.Sc. from Punjabi University, Patiala in 1986, M.Sc. and Ph.D. (Botany) from PAU in 1989 and 1992, qualified ICAR-NET in 1996. Joined University as Assistant Plant Physiologist in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics (PB&G) in 1999. Research focus is on physiology of field crops and for the last nineteen years working on oilseeds (mustard, sesame, sunflower & groundnut) mainly screening and identifying elite germplam for abiotic stresses (low light, heat, drought and salinity), underlying the physio-biochemical basis for stress management, enhanced NUE efficiency, root architecture, PGRs and microbes in relieving heat and drought  stress in mustard and groundnut. Dr Sharma is teaching courses of Botany and PB&G for the last eleven years. She has guided 12 M.Sc. and 6 Ph.D. student as major advisor. Delivered lectures in training programmes, paper setter for various courses, entrance and selection exams, external examiner and expert member for selections outside the university. Member of monitoring team AICRP-RM since 2016, participated in various extension activities and published 65 extension articles.