معرفی
Dr. Manisha Shankar serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of Western Australia's Institute of Agriculture, where she focuses on plant pathology and crop disease resistance research. Her work is primarily supported by the Grains Research & Development Corporation and addresses critical challenges in Australian agriculture.
Her research interests center on fungal diseases affecting cereal and legume crops, with particular expertise in Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (tan spot), Phomopsis in lupins, and disease resistance mechanisms in wheat. Dr. Shankar's work bridges molecular genetics and field applications to develop practical disease management strategies for Australian growers.
Analysis of her recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a consistent focus on genetic resistance to fungal pathogens, with increasing attention to molecular mechanisms including transcription factors and quantitative trait loci. Her research spans from fundamental pathogen characterization to applied field studies assessing yield impacts and resistance breeding.
Dr. Shankar has secured significant research funding through two major GRDC projects: Genetic Dissection of Fungal Disease Resistance in Legumes using Medicago Truncatula (2002-2006) and PHOMOPSIS RESISTANCE IN LUPIN SPECIES AND PATHOGEN VARIABILITY ACROSS AUSTRALIA (1996-1998). Her collaborative network includes researchers from across Australia and international institutions including CIMMYT.
Her laboratory work focuses on characterizing pathogen virulence, mapping resistance genes, and evaluating cultivar performance under disease pressure. Current research appears to be expanding into molecular mechanisms of stress resilience while maintaining strong connections to practical agricultural outcomes for Australian grain growers.
