Recognizing Plant Direct authors: Natasha Navet

Natasha Navet, first author of Efficient targeted mutagenesis in allotetraploid sweet basil by CRISPR/Cas9

Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at the Oregon State University, Corvallis-OR, USA

Education: Ph.D. in Tropical Plant Pathology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA. M.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology at the TERI University, New Delhi, India. B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry at the University of Delhi (Hindu College), New Delhi, India

Non-scientific Interests: outdoors and sports (hiking, running, biking, basketball), gardening, cooking

Brief bio: Advancements in gene editing has revolutionized the biotechnology sector wherein CRISPR/Cas9 has served to be a multipurpose technology for genetic engineering. In my doctorate study I worked on basil-Peronospora belbahrii pathosystem to discern the molecular interactions by genetically defining the roles of genes involved in host resistance (using ectopic expression), host susceptibility (using CRISPR/Cas9 technology); and pathogenicity-related genes (using Host-Induced Gene Silencing/HIGS approach). I am currently working as a postdoc at the Oregon State University to understand the epigenetic plasticity in Phytophthora sojae adapting to overcome changes in its environment and particularly in the resistance of its host soybean.

Biotechnology and plant engineering serve the best option to mitigate the difficulties relating to food security, currently faced by the world. I firmly believe these sectors contribute to the society by allowing researchers to harness the tools required to increase the efficiency in research methods and products. I seek to invest my skills complimenting my knowledge and experience in subjects related to molecular biology, plant pathology and microbiology to further contribute to agriculture sector.