top of page

A Bit About Me

Kutub Photo.jpg

DR KUTUBUDDIN ALI MOLLA

Scientist

Crop Improvement Division

ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack

​

Fullbright scholar 2017-2019

Pennsylvania State University

As a scientist, I handle several in-house and externally funded research projects on rice crop improvement, guide M.Sc and Ph.D. students, and do extension work. Currently, my team works in close collaboration with Dr. MJ Baig's team on the C4 rice project and several rice genome editing projects. I am interested in developing and improving precise genome editing tools for plants. The team is focusing now on Base editing and Prime editing for rice improvement.  

                My another passion is science communication. I believe society is both a 'sponsor' and 'customer' of modern science. Hence, communicating science in a way that is easy to understand is crucial. As a selected member of the Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS), New Delhi, I do outreach lectures in schools and colleges.    

I want to significantly contribute to developing a science-led society and creating a more inclusive world.

  • Peer-reviewed journal publications: 43

  • Springer Books  (CRISPR-Cas Methods): Two volumes 

  • Conference publications: 14

  • Book chapters: 13

  • Technical articles/Blog/popular articles (Extensions): 04

  • Invited Talks/Outreach Leactures(national/International) : 60

  • Keynote lectures:  04

  • Conference and Workshops Organised: 07 

  • h-index: 19

  • i10-index: 29

  • See full publication: Click on Know More

Work Experience

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT 

August 2017 - September 2019

April 2014 - May 2015

July 2008 – December 2009

Postdoctoral Visiting Scientist, Pennsylvania State University, USA

​

Fulbright Fellow. Handled project on Precise genome editing in rice using CRISPR-Cas-base editing and HDR. Assisted grad students in Yang Lab. 

Scientist, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi

​

Worked on allele mining, and identification and validation of novel salinity responsive candidate gene-based SSR marker from rice genome. 

Taught Botany (honours) theoretical and practical courses of Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular biology. 

​

​

Educational Experience

 2017 - 2019

2018

2009-2015

2006-2008

2004-2006

FULBRIGHT Post Doctorate Scholar, PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, USA

Worked in Prof. Yinong Yang's lab. Yang is one of the pioneers in plant genome editing. Yang Lab developed Genome-edited non-browning mushrooms. I worked on developing single-base editing tools and improving CRISPR-Cas induced homology-directed repair (HDR) efficiency in rice.  Availed the prestigious Fulbright scholarship for my research at PennState. Know more: 
https://bit.ly/3wpaaOg                

https://bit.ly/3fbHvGT            
 

Course in College Teaching, SCHREYER INSTITUTE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE, USA   

Completed this certificate course from the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, Pennsylvania State University
       

Ph.D, CALCUTTA UNIVERSITY, INDIA

Completed my Ph.D. thesis from Prof. Swapan K Datta and Dr. Karabi Datta's Lab at Calcutta University. Worked on 'Development of Transgenic Rice for Sheath Blight (ShB) Resistance'. Gained expertise in molecular cloning, genetic engineering, transgenesis, and molecular plant pathology. Functionally characterized novel green tissue-specific promoter and defense gene, validated strategies for enhancing host resistance against sheath blight, and developed several ShB tolerant transgenic rice lines. Availed the CSIR-NET JRF fellowship for my Ph.D.     
       

M.Sc, CALCUTTA UNIVERSITY, INDIA

Completed M.Sc in Botany with specialization in Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology from Ballygung Science College Campus of the university. A research project was done on Potato Tissue Culture. Ranked 3rd in the University.

Availed West Bengal Govt's Merit cum Means Scholarship for M.Sc. 

B.Sc, CITY COLLEGE, INDIA

 

CITY College is a 125 years Undergraduate college under Calcutta University. Completed my B.Sc with Botany honors and Chemistry and Zoology as general subjects. Ranked 7th in the Calcutta University. Awarded with National Scholarship, Govt. of India.      
       

bottom of page