Dr. Keerthana U
Dr. Keerthana Umapathy is a Scientist in the Plant Pathology Division at ICAR-Central Rice
Research Institute (ICAR-CRRI), Cuttack, Odisha, India. Her research is primarily focused
on understanding plant-pathogen interactions, with a specialization in rice blast disease. Her
multidisciplinary research integrates classical plant pathology, proteomics, molecular
techniques, and host resistance screening, aiming to decipher the mechanisms of disease
development and resistance. Dr. Keerthana has published more than 45 peer-reviewed
research articles in national and international journals, along with 1 book, 10 book chapters,
and several popular science articles. She is also a life member of the Indian
Phytopathological Society, the Society for Biocontrol Advancement, and the Indian Society
for Plantation Crops.