People

Dr. Kalpalatha Melmaiee

Associate Professor

Ph.D. in Plant Science, Oklahoma State University

Phone: (302) 857-6787

Email: kmelmaiee@desu.edu

Address: 147 Ag Annex, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901

CV, Google Scholar, Researchgate

Dr. Krishnanand Kulkarni

I am Krishnanand Kulkarni (Ph.D. in Biotechnology), and presently working as a postdoctoral research associate with Dr. Kalpalatha Melmaiee in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Delaware State University (DSU), Dover. My research at DSU focuses on genetic mapping of QTLs/genes for heat tolerance in blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) plants. This study is expected to greatly facilitate breeding blueberries adaptable to variable environmental conditions.

Email: kkulkarni@desu.edu

Google Scholar, Researchgate

Dr. Amaranatha Reddy Vennapusa

Amar obtained a master’s in Botany with specialization in plant molecular physiology from the Sri Venkateswara University, India. He pursued his Ph.D. program in Botany at Sri Krishnadevaraya University, India. His PhD research was focused on the development of rice transgenics using the multigene stacking approach for improved herbicide tolerance and characterization of abiotic stress tolerance genes in crop plants. Before joining Dr. Latha's lab, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Kansas State University, with research focus on decipering the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in temperature stress and herbicide tolerance in crops and weed species. He joined Dr.Latha’s lab in October 2020 with research focus on plant molecular physiology and breeding programs for improving the biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in berry crops (strawberry and blueberry).

Email: avennapusa@desu.edu

Google Scholar, Researchgate

Byron Manzanero

Greetings, my name is Byron Manzanero, a Master's candidate at Delaware State University. I work in the Molecular Plant Breeding lab under the supervision of Dr. Kalpalatha Melmaiee. My research encompasses the initial stage of molecular plant breeding which is the identification of potential breeding stock with genes in interest. To be specific, my project focuses on the evaluation of genetic diversity of a wild blueberry population with the use of SNP's (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) and next generation sequemcing. The project results will hopefully help create new blueberry varieties that are more productive and resistant to the everchanging environment allowing the industry to continue growing and prospering

Email: bmanzanero19@students.desu.edu

Rosalyn Battle

I am graduate student in Plant Molecular Breeding lab. I am studying the effects of potassium-silicate foliar spray on strawberry plants grown in a high tunnel environment. Silicate is the second most abundant mineral in soil and some plant species can absorb it through their root system using silicate transporters. Silicon accumulates in plant cell walls in the form of phytoliths, thin sheet like structures that will prevent pest and diseases from penetrating plant cuticles. In addition, silicon treated plants demonstrate a greater ability to withstand abiotic and biotic stresses.

Email: rdbattle12@students.desu.edu

Lungowe Mulozi

She is from Zambia. She received her undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resource Management from Earth University (Costa Rica) under the prestigious Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. She is currently a graduate student researcher at Delaware State University U.S.A. She is working on a research project in the Molecular Plant Breeding Laboratory under the advisory of Dr. Kalpalatha Melmaiee and Dr. Sathya Elavarthi Her graduate research project will be based on the analysis of the genes responsible for drought tolerance in two genotypes of sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum). Maple trees are an important specie for landscapes and maple syrup production in Canada and North America.

Email: lmulozi19@students.desu.edu

Diarra Aicha

Diarra Aicha, 2018 graduate of Delaware State university. Obtained a bachelor degree in Agriculture focusing on Plant Science; Agronomy. She worked as undergraduate research assistant and now she is the recipient of bridge to doctoral program scholarship for her master studies. She started her masters program in Fall 2019. She is working on evaluation of brassinosteroids for improving the resistance against Botrytis and Anthracnose in Strawberries. As a research technician for the past eight months, she assisted researchers by providing research and administrative laboratory support services. Responsible for; purchases, inventory and upkeep of all laboratory equipment and ensures the compliance of safety regulations while ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and quality control of lab facilities.

Email: daicha@desu.edu

Venkata Hemanth Limmada

Venkata Hemanth Limmada obtained bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, India. Currently, he is a graduate student at Delaware State University, pursuing Master's degree in Plant Sciences. He started working in the Plant Molecular Breeding Lab under the supervision of Dr. Kalpalatha Melmaiee, since January 2021. His research focuses on the evaluation of Strawberry germplasm against Botrytis and Anthracnose. This study includes systematic infection using fungal spore suspension and phenotyping the resistant traits and understanding the biochemical (antioxidants) and genome level responses.

Email: lvenkatahemanth21@students.desu.edu

Aditi Anand Muppavaram

Hello, I am Aditi Anand Muppavaram, an undergraduate majoring in biological science with concentration in Health professions. I work in the Plant Molecular breeding lab under the supervision of Dr. Kalpalatha Melmaiee. Being an Undergraduate, I am learning and assisting graduate students with DNA extractions, measurements and collection of Data.

Email: amuppavaram17@students.desu.edu

Wayne E. Piper

I am Wayne E. Piper, an undergraduate majoring in plant science. I work with Dr. Melmaiee to establish field trials and blueberry nursery plot at DSU outreach center.