Dr. Satyaki Rajavasireddy

Biography

Satyaki Rajavasireddy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto. He holds a Master of Science degree from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and a PhD from Cornell University. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Whitehead Institute. His research focuses on engineering seeds that are adapted to rapidly changing climates, with a special emphasis on endosperm development. The endosperm is crucial for seed development and provides over 60% of humanity’s nutritional needs. However, endosperm development is sensitive to environmental stress, particularly from climate change and extreme weather, which can significantly impact plant productivity. To engineer resilient seeds, Satyaki uses genetic and genomic tools to identify the genetic and epigenetic pathways that regulate endosperm development, particularly in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. He aims to obtain a broader perspective by examining seed development across closely related species and translating his findings to ecologically important species in response to climate change.

Research Interests

Experience