Completed B.Sc. (Medical) for Punjabi University, Patiala, M.Sc. in Genetics from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA. Currently posted as Oilseed Breeder (Assistant Professor) in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana. Worked on miRNA analysis in groundnut in response to various abiotic stresses during Ph.D. Also, worked on Genomic and transcriptomic analysis in Brassicas for yield related traits under different environmental conditions.

Professional Accomplishments:

Selected Research Publications:

1. Akhatar, J., Goyal, A., Mittal, M., Verma, H., Gurpreet, K., Kaur, B., Banga, S.S. & Atri, C. (2025). Genetic analysis of silique and seed traits in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. under differential doses of nitrogen application. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 23977.
2. Shekhawat, P. K., Goyal, A., Akhatar, J., Sharma, S., Kaur, N., Bharti, B. Mittal, M., Sardana, V.K., Chhuneja, P., Banga, S.S. & Atri, C. (2023). Genetic analysis of the variation for mineral accumulation in the leaves and seeds of natural germplasm of Brassica rapaL.(AA) and the its derived forms extracted from an allotetraploid B. juncea L.(AABB). Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 203, 108084.
3. Mittal, M., Dhingra, A., Dawar, P., Payton, P., & Rock, C. D. (2023). The role of microRNAs in responses to drought and heat stress in peanut (Arachis hypogaea). The Plant Genome, 16(3), e20350.
4. You, M. P., Akhatar, J., Mittal, M., Barbetti, M. J., Maina, S., & Banga, S. S. (2021). Comparative analysis of draft genome assemblies developed from whole genome sequences of two Hyaloperonosporabrassicae isolate samples differing in field virulence on Brassica napus. Biotechnology Reports, 31, e00653.
5. Mittal, M., Mittal, A., & Payton, P. (2018). Role of micrornas in plant metabolic homeostasis under nutrient deficiencies and abiotic stresses. Agricultural Research Journal, 55(1).

Ongoing Projects:

Awards/Honors

1. Awarded AT&T Chancellor’s Fellowship for pursuing Ph.D. in Texas Tech University (Nominated by Department Chair for one selected Ph. D. candidate).
2. Summer Dissertation Award during Ph.D
3. Study Abroad Scholarship for International students during Ph.D
4. Award of Honor for standing Ist in M.Sc.
5. Merit certificate and secured Ist position in M.Sc. (Genetics)