Rachana D Bhardwaj joined PAU as Assistant Biochemist on 15.04.2011 after completing B.Sc. (Medical) from Punjab University, Chandigarh in 2002 and M.Sc. (Biochemistry) from PAU in 2005. She did her Ph.D. (Biochemistry) from PAU, Ludhiana in 2008. After working as Research Associate in School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU Ludhiana, she served as Assistant Professor at Centre for Biosciences, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, CUP, Bathinda from 17.09.2009 to 14.04.2011. She worked as Assistant Biochemist and Biochemist from 15.4.2011 to 14.4.2023. She joined as Senior Biochemist on 15.04.2023. Her field of specialization is Plant Biochemistry.  She has guided 14 M.Sc. and 2 Ph.D students as major advisor, published 52 research and 2 review articles in National and International journals and presented 4 papers in conferences. She serves as Secretary of the Society of Biological Chemists (Ludhiana Chapter). 

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects completed

1. “Biochemical and Proteomic studies to reveal drought tolerance mechanisms in wheat” funded by DBT under BioCARe scheme in 2013  as PI.
2. Effect of exogenous phenolic acids on antioxidant response and abiotic stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) funded by UGC in 2013 as PI
3. Proteomic investigation of the effect of ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide on drought induced oxidative stress funded by  Science and Engineering Research Board’ (SERB) through Scheme for young scientists (DST, New Delhi) in 2014  as PI
4. Characterization, mapping and transcriptome analysis of seed protein, minerals and β-carotene in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) funded by National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF), ICAR, New Delhi in 2017 as Cooperative Centre Co- PI of PAU Centre.

Research Publications:

1. Rani H, Bhardwaj R D, Sen R, Grewal S K and Kaur S (2024) Comprehensive and comparative profiling of sugars and organic acids in green and kilned malts of barley cultivars using GC-MS/MS and UHPLC. J Food Compos Anal 126: 105861. (NAAS rating 10.00). 
2. Rani H, Bhardwaj R D and Kaur S (2023) Understanding the influence of genotype and temperature on proteolytic activity in distinct barley genotypes. J Food Sci 88:1718-1730. (NAAS rating  9.20).
3. Kaur S, Bhardwaj R D, Kaur J and Kaur S (2022) Induction of defense-related enzymes and pathogenesis-related proteins imparts resistance to barley genotypes against spot blotch disease. J Plant Grow Regul 41, 682-696. (NAAS rating 9.90)
4. Singla P, Bhardwaj R D, Kaur S and Kaur J and Grewal S K (2020) Metabolic adjustments during compatible interaction between barley genotypes and stripe rust pathogen. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 147: 295-302 .( NAAS rating 12.10)
5. Kaur S, Bhardwaj R D, Kapoor R and Grewal S K (2019) Biochemical characterization of oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes with high nutritional potential. LWT Food Sci Technol 110: 32-39. (NAAS rating  12.00)

Awards and Recognitions:

1. Young Scientist award by Science and Engineering Research Board’ (SERB) DST, New Delhi in 2014.
2. Qualified Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ICAR) National Eligibility Test (NET) in major discipline Plant Biochemistry and Plant Physiology (2008). 
3. PAU Merit fellowship during M.Sc. (2003-2004)