معرفی
Premila Achar is an Associate Professor of Biotechnology at Kennesaw State University (KSU), where she has served since 2004. She teaches courses including Introduction to Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Mycology, with a focus on molecular biology applications in agriculture. Achar previously supervised graduate and postdoctoral students at the University of Durban Westville in South Africa.
Her research centers on molecular characterization of aflatoxin in peanuts and genetic engineering to develop transgenic peanut varieties resistant to Aspergillus flavus contamination. She has secured significant funding through the NSF/LSAMP (2012-2015) and NASA/Georgia Space Consortium (2014–current) grants, which provide student stipends for research, academic enrichment, and community outreach. Since 2005, she has directed the Global Biotechnology Study Abroad Program to India and France, offering students immersive educational experiences.
Achar's publications reveal a consistent focus on fungal pathogen control through natural antimicrobials (essential oils, probiotics), fungal diagnostics (PCR-based methods), and environmental stress responses in plants and microbes. She has collaborated extensively with international researchers in India, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Current research trends emphasize translational applications for reducing agricultural contamination, with recent work exploring Lactiplantibacillus probiotics, metagenomic sequencing for fungal diagnostics, and biocontrol agents for cereal crops. Earlier studies investigated halophyte physiology and fungal ultrastructure in maize.
As a mentor, Achar has advised numerous doctoral students and international collaborators. She has contributed to textbook publications like Anti-Mycotoxin Strategies for Food and Feed (2024) and Aspergillus species, Carcinogenic Mold in Peanuts (2013). Her work bridges applied biotechnology and fungal pathogen mitigation across global agricultural contexts.
