Banaras Hindu University | India
Dr. Nidhi Rai is a dedicated plant biologist and molecular biotechnology researcher whose work focuses on plant physiology, secondary metabolite pathways, transcription factors, developmental biology, and the application of light spectrum modulation for enhancing medicinal plant productivity. She has established a strong research foundation in the Laboratory of Morphogenesis within the Department of Botany at the Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, where she investigates the molecular, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms influencing growth regulation, stress tolerance, and metabolite biosynthesis in economically important medicinal plants such as Artemisia annua and Withania coagulans. Dr. Rai has developed expertise in a diverse range of technical and analytical platforms including gene expression analysis, protein profiling, plant tissue culture, microscopy, biochemical assays, computational biology, metabolomics, HRMS, GC-MS analysis, and green nanotechnology. Her research contributions are recognized through multiple publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals, collectively achieving 77 citations, supported by an h-index of 4 and an i10-index of 2, demonstrating growing scientific influence and meaningful contribution to contemporary plant biotechnology and metabolic engineering research. She has authored and co-authored research papers, review articles, and book chapters that address critical aspects of plant stress physiology, transcription factor characterization, secondary metabolite pathways, genetic regulation under environmental stimuli, and biotechnological strategies for enhancing phytochemical production. Dr. Rai has actively presented her research in national and international scientific platforms, earning recognition for excellence in research dissemination including awards for outstanding poster presentations. Alongside her scholarly achievements, she has been involved in academic mentoring, scientific outreach, and specialized training related to molecular biology and biotechnological methodologies. Her professional commitment is driven by a mission to advance scientific understanding that supports the sustainable production of high-value plant compounds, contributes to climate-resilient agriculture, and opens translational opportunities in pharmaceuticals, bioengineering, and plant-based therapeutics. A rising scientist with a rapidly expanding research footprint, Dr. Rai continues to contribute to impactful innovation and knowledge advancement in plant science and biotechnology.
Featured Publications
Singh, S., Saha, P., Rai, N., Kumari, S., & Pandey-Rai, S. (2023). Unravelling triterpenoid biosynthesis in plants for applications in bioengineering and large-scale sustainable production. Industrial Crops and Products, 199, 116789.
Rai, N., Kumari, S., Singh, S., Saha, P., Pandey, A. K., & Pandey-Rai, S. (2024). Modulation of morpho-physiological attributes and in situ analysis of secondary metabolites using Raman spectroscopy in response to red and blue light exposure in Artemisia annua. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 217, 105563.
Rai, N., Kumari, S., Singh, S., Saha, P., & Pandey-Rai, S. (2023). Genome-wide identification of bZIP transcription factor family in Artemisia annua, its transcriptional profiling and regulatory role in phenylpropanoid metabolism under stress. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 29(7), 905–925.
Rai, N., Sarma, B. K., & Rai, S. P. (2024). Transcriptional regulation of biotic and abiotic stress responses: Challenges and potential mechanism for stress tolerance and chickpea improvement. Tropical Plant Biology, 17(2), 83–107.
Kumari, S., Rai, N., Singh, S., Saha, P., Bisen, M. S., & Pandey-Rai, S. (2025). Functional identification of AaDREB-9 transcription factor in Artemisia annua L. and deciphering its role in secondary metabolism under PEG-induced osmotic stress. Plant Physiology Reports, 1–12.