Mr. Latief Bashir | Genomic Data Analytics | Best Scholar Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. José Fernandes Bezerra-Neto | Limnology – ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, IARI, New Delhi, India

Mr. Latief Bashir is a PhD Research Scholar at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, IARI, New Delhi. He holds a Master’s degree in Plant Genetic Resources from IARI, where he was the Class Representative. His academic excellence is highlighted by his top performance in various exams, securing All India Rank 1st in the ICAR-AICE JRF/SRF for PhD entrance. Mr. Bashir has received numerous awards for his research contributions, including the ISPGR-Dr. K.L. Mehra Award and the Outstanding Student Award (CITAAS-2024). His expertise spans plant genetic resources, wheat breeding, and stress resilience. He has published several research papers in high-impact journals and is an active member of various professional bodies, including the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC). With a keen interest in advancing climate-resilient agriculture, he is committed to integrating genomic approaches into crop improvement.

Profile:

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Education:

Mr. Latief Bashir completed his Master’s degree in Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. During his time at IARI, he served as the Class Representative and excelled academically. His outstanding performance in the ICAR-AICE JRF/SRF examination earned him All India Rank 1st (AIR-1) for PhD entrance in 2023. He also secured the top rank in the written exam for Scientist B (PGR) at the Central Silk Board, though the interview remains pending. His research interests developed further during his MSc, where he worked on enhancing wheat resilience to heat stress through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). His passion for plant genetic resources led him to pursue a PhD at IARI, where he is currently researching the genetic architecture of powdery mildew resistance in wheat. His academic journey reflects his commitment to plant breeding and genetic research in improving crop resilience.

Professional Experience:

Mr. Latief Bashir has gained significant professional experience during his academic journey as a PhD Research Scholar at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, IARI, New Delhi. His research work primarily focuses on enhancing the genetic understanding of wheat’s resilience to abiotic stresses such as heat and biotic stresses like powdery mildew. His experience includes conducting large-scale genomic studies, utilizing a 35K-SNP Axiom array to perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on wheat, and publishing research findings in top-tier journals such as BMC Plant Biology and Scientific Reports. In addition to his academic work, Mr. Bashir has been an active participant in the scientific community, contributing to national and international collaborations, including with the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) and CIMMYT. He has also presented his findings at conferences, earning awards for his oral presentations. His multidisciplinary expertise makes him a valuable researcher in the field of plant genetics and crop improvement.

Research Interests:

Mr. Latief Bashir’s research interests are centered around plant genetics, particularly in the areas of wheat breeding, stress resilience, and the characterization of plant genetic resources. His primary research focus is on utilizing genomic approaches, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), to uncover the genetic basis of wheat’s response to biotic and abiotic stresses. His MSc research involved identifying quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) for heat tolerance, grain quality, and yield-related traits in wheat, providing valuable insights for marker-assisted breeding (MAB). Currently, his PhD research is focused on the genetic architecture of powdery mildew resistance in bread wheat, using integrative genomic approaches. Mr. Bashir is particularly interested in applying genomics to improve crop resilience to climate change, enhancing the nutritional quality of crops, and contributing to biofortification strategies. His work has broader implications for enhancing food security, sustainable agriculture, and the conservation of plant genetic resources.

Awards:

Mr. Latief Bashir has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his academic and research career, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the field of plant genetic resources. Notably, he received the ISPGR-Dr. K.L. Mehra Award in 2023 for being the Best Master’s Student, along with the Outstanding Student Award at CITAAS-2024. His outstanding research presentations earned him the Best Oral Presentation award at CITAAS-2024, showcasing his communication skills and expertise in plant breeding. Mr. Bashir was also honored with the Outstanding Performance Award at SKUAST-K in 2020 for his excellent work during his earlier academic tenure. He topped the written exam for Scientist B (PGR) at the Central Silk Board, and his exemplary performance in the ICAR-AICE JRF/SRF exam earned him All India Rank 1st (AIR-1) for the PhD entrance. These awards underscore his excellence in research, leadership, and contribution to the field of agricultural sciences, particularly in plant genetic resources.

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