Dr. Rajnish Kumar Verma joined Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) as a Plant Mycologist on 6th November 2020. He obtained his B.Sc. (Botany Hons.) degree from Panjab University, Chandigarh in 2006, followed by M.Sc. (Botany Hons.) from the same institution in 2008. He earned his Ph.D. in Botany, with a specialization in Mycology, from Panjab University Chandigarh in 2016. Dr. Verma’s primary field of expertise lies in fungal taxonomy, systematics, and conservation, with a strong research focus on the identification, classification, and preservation of fungal biodiversity. Over the years, he has developed significant experience in studying fungal diversity associated with plants, contributing to both fundamental and applied aspects of mycological research.

He is currently working as Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) in a project funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. As part of his academic contributions, he is presently guiding two M.Sc. students as their major advisor, helping them carry out their research in the field of Mycology and Plant Pathology. Dr. Verma has published 58 research papers in national and international journals of repute and contributed 8 book chapters in edited volumes. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to genetic resources by submitting 120 gene sequences of various Fungi and plant pathogens to the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) database, aiding global scientific research in plant pathology and fungal systematics.

On going project

Determination of Etiology and Management of Fusarium head blight (FHB) an emerging wheat disease under ‘climate change scenario’ in Punjab, India. Funded by Department of Science and Technology

Research Publications:

1. Avasthi S, Gautam AK, Verma RK, Nirajnaj M, Rajeshkumar KC, Karunarathn SC (2025) Checklist, typification information, and nomenclature status of rust fungi originated in India. Phytotaxa 713 (1): 001–065 (NAAS= 7.2)
2. Thiyagaraja V, Hyde KD, ………Verma RK, Wang J, Wang WP, Wang XY Wang Y, Wang Z, Wei DP, Wen T, Wijayawardene NN, Wimalasena MK, Worthy FR, Wu HX, Xu L, Yakovchenko LS, Yu FM, Zeng XY, Zhang SN, Zhang ZY, Zhao Q, Wanasinghe DN. (2025) Orders of Ascomycota. Mycosphere 16(1), 536–1411, Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/16/1/8 (IF= 15.1, NAAS= 16.00)
3. Hyde KD………Verma RK et al. (2024). The 2024 Outline of Fungi and fungus-like taxa. Mycosphere 15(1), 5146– 6239, Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/15/1/25 (IF= 16.5, NAAS= 20) 
4. Rajeshkumar KC, Sruthi O P, Sreejith KA, Aloor J R, Gautam AK, Verma RK, Jeewon R, Ansil PA, Karunarathna SC, Kavileveettil S (2024) Morpho-molecular systematics of Striaticonidium kfriense (Stachybotryaceae), a new synnematous species from the Western Ghats, India. Phytotaxa 675(3)233-246.  (IF=1.2 NAAS= 7.10)
5. Avasthi S, Gautam AK, Verma RK, Rajeshkumar KC, Niranjan M, Sharma A, Karunarathna SC, Suwannarach N. (2024) The Genus Ravenelia: Insights on Taxonomy, Diversity and Distribution. Pathogens, 13, 775. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13090775 (IF= 3.3, NAAS= 9.70)
6. Sruthi OP, Rajeshkumar KC, Suwannarach N, Hawksworth DL, Wijayawardene NN, Verma RK, Tibpromma S, Karunarathna SC. (2024) A phylogenetic reappraisal of Moorella and Thaxteriellopsis based on fresh material of the type species from India, New Zealand Journal of Botany. https://doi.org/10.1080/0028825X.2024.2356895 (IF= 0.9, NAAS= 6.9)
7. Avasthi S, Gautam AK, Niranjan M, Verma RK, Karunarathna SC, Kumar A, Suwannarach N (2023) Insights into Diversity, Distribution, and Systematics of Rust Genus Puccinia. J. Fungi, 9, 639. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9060639 (IF= 5.724, NAAS= 11.82)
8. Hyde KD, Abdel-Wahab MA…… Verma RK  et al. (2023) Global consortium for the classification of fungi and fungus –like taxa. Mycosphere 14(1): 1960-2012 (IF= 16.5, NAAS= 20)
9. Sruthi OP, Sakshi R,, Rajeshkumar KC, Verma RK, Gautam AK, Narula B, Wijayawardene NN Saowaluck T and Samantha C.K (2023) A phylogenetic reappraisal of Excipulariopsis narsapurensis in Wiesneriomycetaceae, Tubeufiales. Phytotaxa 607 (5): 273–290. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.607.5.2 (IF=1.2 NAAS= 7.10)
10. Senanayake IC， Rossi W,  Leonardi M,  Weir A, McHugh M, Rajeshkumar KC, Verma RK, et al. (2023) Fungal diversity notes 1611–1729: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on fungal genera and species emphasis in south China. Fungal Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-023-00523-6 (IF =24.9, NAAS= 20)
11. Rajeshkumar KC, Varma RK, Sruthi OP et al. (2023) Groenewaldia (Lentitheciaceae), a new corticolous fungal genus from India. Mycol Progress 22, 43 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11557-023-01888-3  (IF=2.54 NAAS= 8.54)
12. Sushma, Verma RK, Prasher IB, Gautam AK, Rajeshkumar KC, Castañeda-Ruiz RF. (2022)  Dictyocheirospora himachalensis sp. nov. from Himachal Pradesh, India. Mycotaxon 137; 455–463(IF= 0.7 NAAS= 6.6)
13. Gautam AK, Verma RK, Avasthi S, Sushma, Bohra Y, Devadatha B, Niranjan M, Suwannarach N. (2022) Current Insight into Traditional and Modern Methods in Fungal Diversity Estimates. J. Fungi 8, 226 https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8030226 (IF= 5.724, NAAS= 11.82)
14. Balkrishna A, Gautam AK, Avasthi S, Niranjan M, Verma RK, Arya V, Kumar A, Karunarathna, SC, Suwannarach N.  (2022) A Comprehensive Account of the Rust Genus Skierka (Skierkaceae). J. Fungi 8, 1243. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/jof8121243(IF= 5.724, NAAS= 11.82)
15. Gautam AK, Avasthi S, Verma RK, Sushma, Niranjan M, Devadatha B, Jayawardena RS, Suwannarach N, Karunarathna SC (2022) A Global Overview of Diversity and Phylogeny of the Rust Genus Uromyces. J. Fungi 8, 633. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8060633(IF= 5.724, NAAS= 11.82)
16. Gautam AK, Avasthi S, Verma RK, Devadatha B, Jayawardena RS, Sushma, Ranadive KR, Kashyap PL, Bhadauria R, Prasher IB, Sharma VK, Niranjan M, Jeewon R (2021) – Indian Pucciniales: taxonomic outline with important descriptive notes. Mycosphere 12(1), 89–162 (IF=16.5 NAAS=20).
17. Verma RK, Prasher IB, Sushma, Gautam AK, Rajeshkumar KC, Kumar A,  Castañeda-Ruiz RF. (2021).  Neosporidesmium himachalense sp. nov. from India and Neosporidesmina gen. nov. to accommodate N. micheliae. Mycotaxon 136; 587–595. https://doi.org/10.5248/136.587(IF= 0.7)
18. Verma RK, Prasher IB, Sushma, Rajeshkumar KC, Gautam AK, Castañeda-Ruiz RF. (2021). Brykendrickia catenata gen. & sp. nov. from India. Mycotaxon 136: 131-140 (IF= 0.7)
19. Rajeshkumar KC, Verma R K, Boonmee S, Chandrasiri S, Hyde  KD Nikhil A, Lad S & Wijayawardene NN. (2021) Paradictyocheirospora tectonae, a novel genus in the family Dictyosporiaceae from India. Phytotaxa 509 (3): 259–271 (IF= 1.2)
20. Verma RK, Prasher IB, Sushma, Gautam AK, Rajeshkumar KC, Castañeda-Ruiz RF. (2021).  Kirschsteiniothelia shimlaensis sp. nov. from Himachal Pradesh, India. Mycotaxon 136; 401–407. https://doi.org/10.5248/136.401 (IF= 0.7)

Awards and Recognitions:

1. Honorary fellow F. S. L. Sc. (Fellow of society of life Science) By Society of life sciences India.
2. Young scientist award in Discipline Botany by Society for Scientific Development in Agriculture and Technology
3. Best oral presentation award for the paper entitled “Histological analysis of glumes discoloration of wheat in Punjab- a pathological perspective” in National Symposium Plant Pathology: Sustainable Approaches for Food Security and Human Health” held on 08-09 December, 2023.