Biography
Usha Vijayraghavan obtained her Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, USA in yeast genetics and her post-doctoral research was at Caltech with Prof. Elliot Meyerowitz where she began work on transcription factors that regulate plant development.
She is currently Dean, Faculty of Science and Professor at Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. She was till recent the first woman Divisional Dean in IISc which is India’s 114 year premier research institution for science and engineering. She held J N Tata Chair, one of three endowed Professorships at IISc. Her group uses genetic and genomic tools to investigate key factors that control rice plant development. Her group has made key discoveries on transcription factors driven complex gene networks that control plant, panicle architecture and floret fertility.
She is a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian Academy of Sciences, and her work has been recognized several National awards. Her scientific expertise is sought after as she serves in several Advisory Committees in India and for internationally leading institutions/ granting agencies.
Usha will attend New Phytologist next generation scientist 2026 on day 1 and day 2.