Senthil Ramachandran holds the position of Manager Germplasm Conservation at the Genebank in the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, India. Senthil completed his Master's degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India. With a professional background spanning more than 11 years, he specializes in the conservation of plant genetic resources, primarily focusing on conserving germplasm for three vital dryland legumes: chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut. Senthil's primary responsibilities involve strategic planning and the execution of germplasm research initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of germplasm collection and usage. Key activities encompass a broad range of tasks, including germplasm gap analysis, acquiring new genetic resources, characterization, regeneration, and conducting comprehensive phenotypic and genomic assessments of germplasm. Senthil is also engaged in evaluating germplasm for various attributes, such as yield, grain nutrient content, and stress tolerance. Additionally, Senthil is involved in developing diverse and trait-specific subsets within the germplasm collection, among other critical tasks.
Expertise in: Plant Breeding and Genetics; Plant Genetic Resources