Dr. Mumta Chhetri

Biography

Mumta Chhetri completed her MSc degree at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, specializing in Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources. Her MSc research examined quantitative resistance in barley to the pathogens Puccinia hordei and Blumeria graminis. In 2011, she received an Australian Leadership Award from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government, to pursue her PhD at the University of Sydney. Her doctoral research project focused on 'Molecular mapping and genetic characterization of rust resistance in wheat', significantly contributing to the field of rust research. Through her extensive research on wheat rust, she identified, mapped, and officially named novel rust-resistant genes: Yr58, Yr72, and Lr74. Before her PhD, she worked as the National Rice Coordinator in Bhutan, where she demonstrated her commitment to improving agricultural practices and empowering local farmers by releasing four blast disease-resistant rice varieties. In 2018, she joined the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to advance her research, focusing on Fusarium Crown Rot resistance, which involved molecular mapping and marker development using RNA-seq techniques and bioinformatic tools that led to the design of SNP-based diagnostic markers for Fusarium Crown Rot resistant genes. In June 2021, she returned to the University of Sydney to work on cereal rust diseases and fungicide resistance, conducting national surveys and analyzing cereal rust samples to determine the virulence and avirulence of rust disease-resistant genes. Her primary research interests include understanding plant diseases, resistance mechanisms, and pathogen-host interactions to promote sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards