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Plant Stress Biology
A Bit About Me
My major research interest is understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning the plant acquired stress response(s). Towards this, I am trying to correlate the key transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic pathways to get a deeper understanding of the stress memory mechanism in plants. Identifying the vital regulatory modules could aid in engineering abiotic stress-resilient crops. My research is supported by IISER Tirupati. I am currently working at IISER Tirupati as research associate.
In my free time, you can find me playing football, watching YouTube, reading books or mostly sleeping. I am also interested in cooking and exploring new places.
Work Experience
2019-2026
2017-2019
2014-2017
PhD. Biological Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati.
Master of Science (Plant Science), Central University of Kerala.
Bachelor of Science, University of Kerala.
2026-Present
Research associate, Biological Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati.
Achievements
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Fulbright Nehru Fellowship 2022-2023.
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Academic excellence award-PhD 2019 batch, Biology in IISER Tirupati.
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National level exams-JGEEBILS (2019), GATE (XL) 2019, CSIR-NET .
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First rank holder in B.Sc. Botany in St Johns college, Anchal (University of Kerala) (2014-2017).
Publications
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Nair U, Bhukya DN, Sunkar R, Chavali S, Allu AD*. (2026) Molecular basis of priming-induced acquired tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in plants. The Plant Journal
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Hafner, A., Kundariya, H., Sanchez, R., Nair, A.U. and Mackenzie, S.A., 2026. Intragenic methylation repatterning is associated with alternative splicing and unique epigenetic phenotypes. bioRxiv, pp.2026-02.
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Samantaray, D., Nair, A.U., Balazadeh, S. and Allu, A.D. (2025), JUNGBRUNNEN1, a Central Regulator of Plant Growth and Stress Response. Plant, Cell & Environment. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.15585.
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Nair, A.U., Vishwakarma, S., Guha, T., Kadumuri, R.V., Fritschi, F.B., Chavali, S. and Allu, A.D., 2025. ERF transcription factor regulons underpin growth-defence trade-off under acute heat stress in rice seedlings. bioRxiv, pp.2025-04.
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Nair, A.U., Kundariya, H.S., Samantaray, D., Dopp, I.J., Allu, A.D. and Mackenzie, S.A. (2024), Short-Term High Light Stress Analysis Through Differential Methylation Identifies Root Architecture and Cell Size Responses. Plant, Cell & Environment. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.15325
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Online Publication - http://reports.ias.ac.in/report/13755/extraction-of-dietary-fibre- fromsterile flowers-of-artocarpus-heterophyllus-lam
