Ambika Chandra

Dr. Ambika Chandra is Professor and Assistant Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension in Dallas, specializing in turfgrass genetics and breeding. Her research adopts a holistic systems approach to cultivar development for home lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses, integrating molecular genetics, physiology, entomology, pathology, and socio-economics.

Her research focuses on developing high-throughput phenotyping methods for evaluating biotic and abiotic stress tolerances in breeding populations. She has established interdisciplinary collaborations across turfgrass science domains to enhance sustainable turf production.

Recent publications demonstrate advancements in drought resistance, salinity tolerance, and sustainable turf management, with field trials spanning multiple U.S. regions. Her work emphasizes genetic improvements for environmental resilience and reduced resource inputs.

Her grants include projects on water-efficient turfgrasses and multi-state cultivar development initiatives. Dr. Chandra contributes to graduate education, training future plant breeders and turfgrass professionals.