Job Profile: Research Scientist (Industry)
Brief introduction: Dr. Santisree Parankusam is a Gold medalist in her masters from University of Hyderabad, followed by her Ph.D. from UOH in the field of Molecular Plant Physiology. Later she worked as a scientist at ICRISAT for seven years in the cell, Molecular biology and Genetic Engineering lab. Currently she is working as a lead scientist at Sedia Biosciences, USA, where her research focus is on developing new crop varieties using molecular selection and sequencing with national and international partnerships. She is also serving as a reviewer and associate editor for several international journals including American journal of plant biology, The Plant journal, Frontiers in Plant Science, Planta, and few more.
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/santisree-parankusam-81a20b20
PhD | Plant Sciences | Agriculture | Research Scientist | Industry | USA
General Information
- What is your current job title and a brief description of your role?
Currently I am working as a lead scientist at Sedia Biosciences, USA, where I support, lead projects aimed at developing new crop varieties using molecular selection and sequencing with national and international partnerships.
- Which company are you currently working for?
Sedia Biosciences and its subsidiary Floragenex, Oregon, USA.
- In which city and country are you based?
I am currently based in Beaverton, Oregon, USA.
Career Path and Education
- What was your PhD specialization? From which university did you obtain your PhD?
I earned my Ph.D. from the School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, India in the field of Molecular Plant Physiology. I also have a gold medal in my Masters from the department of plant sciences University of Hyderabad.
- Could you briefly outline your career path since completing your PhD?
After earning my Ph.D. in plant molecular physiology, I pursued multiple postdoctoral fellowships, gaining expertise in hormonal signaling, root development, and stress responses in various crops like Tomato, Chickpea, Peanuts and Pearl Millet. I pursued postdoctoral research on molecular mechanism of Tomato fruit ripening at the University of Hyderabad initially as DBT-Research associate, later securing a competitive postdoctoral fellowship called Dr. D.S.Kothari post-doctoral fellowship and investigated hormonal signaling in root growth under mechanical impedance. After That, I received the most prestigious INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India. Infact, I was the first one to receive this award from the Department of Plant Sciences, UOH. With this grant award, I joined the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) as a scientist and continued to work on crop improvement for seven years. This independent research grant gave me the opportunity to focus on drought and heat stress tolerance in chickpea through advanced proteomics to improve crop resilience. Beyond my fundamental research, I have been actively involved in translational research, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical agricultural applications. As a member of the “Platform for Translational Research” at ICRISAT, I contributed to developing biotech solutions that address global food security challenges. We also had an industry partnership with Corteva Agri Science in a project aimed at improving Pearl Millet flour quality. My work in post-harvest pathogen resistance, particularly in groundnut, has been instrumental in mitigating aflatoxin contamination—an issue of significant concern in global agriculture. By identifying resistance-associated and stress- associated proteins in chickpea and peanut, I have contributed to enhancing food safety and reducing economic losses in the food supply chain. Currently, I am working as a Lead Scientist at Sedia Biosciences, applying my expertise to innovative agricultural and biotechnological solutions.
- What were the key steps and decisions that led you to your current position?
My journey to my current role as a Lead Scientist at Sedia Biosciences has been shaped by a series of strategic decisions, research excellence, and interdisciplinary collaborations. My academic journey began with a Ph.D. at the University of Hyderabad that has given me a strong foundation in research. After my Ph.D., I strengthened my expertise in plant physiology and molecular biology through postdoctoral research that led to high-impact publications. These publications have allowed me to expand myself as an independent researcher at ICRISAT in crop improvement, functional genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. I started serving as a reviewer and associate editor for a few reputed journals like American journal of plant biology, The Plant journal, Frontiers in Plant Science, Plant physiology and Biochemistry, Planta, and few more. All these efforts received international recognition and research collaborations with industry partners like Corteva Agriscience. My accumulated expertise in molecular biology and crop improvement has driven me to my current position as a Lead Scientist at Sedia Biosciences. In this role, I am applying my research background to develop innovative solutions in biosciences, agricultural biotechnology, and molecular diagnostics.
- How important was your PhD in securing your current position? Did it provide you with specific skills or knowledge that were essential for your role?
My Ph.D at University of Hyderabad played a crucial role in shaping my scientific expertise and career trajectory, providing me with a strong foundation in plant molecular biology, genetic manipulation, and stress physiology. My research on induced mutations in tomato for fruit ripening and root development honed my skills in genetic screening, biochemical assays, and molecular signaling pathways, which later became essential for my work in crop improvement and translational research. The technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and analytical skills that I developed during my Ph.D. were also pivotal in securing my postdoctoral positions, leading to other scientific roles. Moreover, my experience in collaborative research, grant writing, and project management during my Ph.D. has prepared me for leadership roles in biotechnology and agri-value chain development, making my Ph.D. an indispensable milestone in my career.
Job Role and Responsibilities
- Could you describe a typical workday for you? What are your primary responsibilities and tasks?
As a Lead Scientist at Sedia Biosciences, my daily responsibilities involve a combination of research, project management, and collaboration. A typical workday includes , Overseeing ongoing research projects related to crop improvement, engaging with industry partners, attending meetings, ensuring timely deliverables,mentoring junior scientists and researchers and exploring new methodologies to enhance research impact. This kind of role is highly dynamic, balancing scientific inquiry with strategic decision-making to drive innovations in biotechnology and agriculture.
- What key skills (technical and soft) are essential for your role? How did your PhD help you develop these skills?
My role requires a blend of technical expertise and soft skills to drive research and innovation. Expertise in genomics, and molecular biology, developed through my extensive research on plant signaling, stress responses, and crop improvement during my PhD is immensely helpful. Ability to manage large-scale research projects, secure funding, ensuring project deliverables, and strong analytical skills for interpreting complex biological data are very essential for biotechnology applications. My PhD not only laid the foundation for my multidisciplinary expertise, but also taught me soft skills like teamwork, research communication, multi-tasking and adaptability to different mindsets.
- What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your job?
The biggest challenge I see is staying ahead in a fast-evolving field which demands continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies. Another challenge is securing grants and funding for research has become highly competitive. Now a days, High-throughput techniques in genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics generate vast datasets. Extracting meaningful insights and translating them into practical applications can be time-consuming and technically demanding.However, contributing to crop resilience, food security, and sustainable agriculture is deeply fulfilling. Despite the challenges, the opportunity to drive innovation, contribute to global food security, and mentor the next generation of scientists makes this career deeply satisfying. Seeing my research translated into real-world applications that improve crop yield, quality, and farmer livelihoods is highly rewarding.
- How do you balance your work and personal life? What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Scientific research, especially in biotechnology and agriculture, is demanding and time-intensive. Balancing work and personal life as a woman scientist is not an easy task, but it is possible with structured planning, discipline, strong support systems, and mindful self-care. Utilizing digital tools for task management, proper scheduling, collaboration and setting clear boundaries for work hours allows me to focus on meaningful professional and personal priorities. I dedicate quality time to family and loved ones, ensuring work doesn’t overshadow personal relationships. At some point of time during my pregnancies, I requested flexible work arrangements that helped in achieving work-life harmony.
Future Opportunities
- What are the potential career paths and opportunities for someone in your position?
A career in biotechnology, agricultural research, and process development offers a range of diverse and dynamic opportunities across academia, industry, and policy-making. I have the option to progress to Principal Investigator, or R&D Director in research institutes, agritech firms, biotech companies or Pursuing a faculty position in any academic institute. Contributing as a scientific advisor or consultant for government agencies, international agricultural organizations, and regulatory bodies, or launching a biotech or agribusiness startup can be other valuable options.
- What are the current trends and challenges in the biotech industry? How do you see your role evolving in the future?
The biotechnology industry, particularly in agriculture and sustainable food production, is undergoing rapid transformations driven by advancements in genetics, artificial intelligence, and climate resilience strategies. Precision breeding using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technologies, Metabolic Engineering, Microbial biofertilizers, Machine learning models are improving crop prediction, soil health analysis. Precision farming is revolutionizing crop improvement driving the next wave of innovation. The potential challenges could be Regulatory Hurdles, Public Perception, High R&D Costs, Talent Shortage. My role will continue evolving, blending scientific research, technology development, and industry collaborations to create impactful, real-world solutions for climate-smart agriculture and precision farming.
- What advice would you give to early-career researchers who are aspiring to work in the biotech industry?
A career in biotech is both challenging and rewarding. By combining scientific expertise, industry experience, and innovation, aspiring scientists can position themselves for success in this dynamic field. Build an interdisciplinary approach by engaging with cross-functional teams. Gain industrial experience by internships, workshops or hands-on training in biotech companies, startups, or research institutes. Attend conferences, biotech summits, and networking events to connect with research and industry professionals. The biotech industry is fast-evolving, so continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience are crucial to success. Following scientific journals, biotech news, and regulatory updates is another essential thing to do to keep up with industry trends.
- Are there any resources, networks, or training programs that helped you in your career that you would recommend?
Success in the biotech industry requires a mix of technical expertise, continuous learning, networking, and career planning. Earlier getting the right resource used to be very hard. But now things are changing. Online Learning Platforms like edX,Coursera, EMBL-EBI Training, FAO e-Learning Academy, NCBI Workshops and LinkedIn Learning offer specialized courses in genomics, bioinformatics, biotech product development, regulatory affairs, and scientific writing. Also, following the Scientific Journals & News Platforms like Science Daily, Genome web, Biotechniques and BioPatrika will keep us updated on research and industry trends. For funding and fellowship opportunities check out the sites like Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants,Y Combinator Biotech Accelerator. Finally, an open and learning mindset is key to success.
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