Chetan Pandey
- PhD Student
About
I am currently pursuing my PhD at SLCU. I joined the Schornack Group at SLCU in 2024 as a research assistant, where I investigated the role of exocyst complex genes in bryophyte development and symbiotic interactions.
Research
Research interests
- Plant-microbe interactions
- Transcription factors
- Genetics
- Gene editing
- Bryophytes
- Oomycota
My project explores how Marchantia polymorpha — a non-vascular bryophyte liverwort — interacts with invading pathogens at the molecular level. I investigate how specific transcription factors in the liverwort coordinate immune signalling and microbial colonization to uncover molecular principles that shaped plant–microbe interactions.
By examining the roles of these transcription factors in not only pathogen defense but also in key developmental processes such as reproduction, my work seeks to reveal how plants balance growth and microbial interactions. Understanding these conserved regulatory mechanisms provides insights into the evolutionary roots of plant resilience and informs strategies to enhance disease resistance in crop plants.
Publications
Selected publications
Teaching and supervision
Department of Plant Sciences, Practical Supervisions. (Bachelors Students)