The University of Hyderabad proudly congratulates Ms. Pooja Shukla (22LPPH02), a Ph.D. scholar from the Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, on being awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship (2026–2027). The Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship is among the most competitive international research awards, supporting outstanding scholars to pursue advanced research in the United States. Pooja’s selection reflects the strength of her academic profile, the scientific merit of her research proposal, and her potential to contribute meaningfully to international scientific collaboration.
Ms. Pooja Shukla
Pooja is currently pursuing her doctoral research under the supervision of Dr. M. Muthamilarasan, Assistant Professor and head of The Millet Lab, Department of Plant Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding the genetic basis of yield-contributing agronomic traits in foxtail millet (Setaria italica), a climate-resilient and nutritionally important crop. Her work integrates high-throughput phenotyping, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and comparative genomics to identify key genes regulating agriculturally important traits.
As part of the fellowship, Pooja will undertake research in the United States under the mentorship of Prof. James C. Schnable at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prof. Schnable is internationally recognized for his work in quantitative genetics, high-throughput phenotyping, and comparative genomics in cereal crops, particularly maize and sorghum. His laboratory provides access to state-of-the-art phenotyping facilities, molecular biology and greenhouse infrastructure, high-performance computing resources, and curated genomic datasets, all of which will significantly enhance the scope and analytical depth of Pooja’s doctoral research.
Pooja has already demonstrated strong academic promise, with multiple research publications in reputed journals at an early stage of her Ph.D. She has also been actively involved in academic leadership and outreach activities within the University, including organizing conferences and initiatives such as “Millet-Utopia,” which promote awareness of millets and sustainable agriculture.
In addition to her scientific accomplishments, Pooja reflects the spirit of cultural exchange central to the Fulbright program. As a certified yoga trainer, she has actively promoted wellness and holistic practices, strengthening her role as a cultural ambassador.
The University of Hyderabad takes immense pride in her achievement and wishes her continued success in her academic and research journey.