Two M.Sc. students from the Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, brought laurels to the University by winning Best Poster Awards at a two-day National Conference on “Millets for a Sustainable Future: Unlocking the Potential of Ancient Grains” held at Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, during March 6-7, 2026.
The award-winning students, Ms. Mehak Shukla and Ms. Aayushi, presented posters based on their ongoing M.Sc. dissertation research conducted in ‘The Millet Lab’ under the supervision of Dr. M. Muthamilarasan. Their research focuses broadly on understanding key molecular and physiological processes in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), a climate-resilient cereal crop gaining global attention for its nutritional value and adaptability to marginal environments.
Ms. Aayushi’s poster highlighted research exploring the genetic basis of important nutritional traits in foxtail millet through genome-scale analyses of metabolic pathways associated with beneficial plant compounds. Ms. Mehak Shukla’s presentation focused on investigating how plants coordinate physiological and molecular responses to drought stress across different times of the day, providing insights into the temporal regulation of stress adaptation mechanisms in millets.
Both presentations attracted considerable attention during the poster session, and the jury recognized the clarity of the presentations, scientific merit, and the relevance of the work to the broader goal of developing climate-resilient crops.
The conference brought together researchers, students, and stakeholders from across the country working on millet science, sustainable agriculture, and nutritional security. The recognition received by the students highlights the growing research contributions from the University of Hyderabad in advancing millet genomics and stress biology.
Dr. M. Muthamilarasan, who attended the conference as a keynote speaker, congratulated the students and noted that such platforms provide valuable exposure for young researchers to present their work, interact with experts, and build collaborations within the scientific community.
The achievements of Ms. Mehak Shukla and Ms. Aayushi underscore the commitment of the Department of Plant Sciences to fostering high-quality research and mentoring students to actively participate in national scientific forums.