Diversity in Nature, Strength for Life
Diversity is one of the most powerful strategies life has used to overcome challenges on our planet. At the Applied Biodiversity Lab we combine fundamental research with practical applications to understand biodiversity, how plant species originate, and whether specific genetic mechanisms drive speciation.
Our research integrates field exploration, genomics, molecular biology and evolutionary analyses. This work contributes to identifying plant species accurately and developing tools to detect counterfeit plant products in global markets.
We also explore innovative approaches to harness biodiversity for sustainable development while strengthening strategies for conservation and responsible use of biological resources.
Prof. Latha Rangan
Professor (HAG)
Principal Investigator (ABL)
Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Academic Profile
Educational Details
-
2001
Ph.D., Plant Science
University of Madras
Research work carried at IRRI, Manila -
1995
M.Sc., Plant Science
University of Madras -
1993
B.Sc., Botany
University of Madras
Other Courses / Qualifications
-
2007–2008
Certificate courses on IPR (General IPR, IPR in Biotechnology and IPR in Electronics)
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, Switzerland
Distinction obtained -
2004
Post Doctoral Fellow, Rice Biotechnology
De Montfort University, UK
Positions Held
-
Dec 2021 – Present
Professor (HAG)
Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati -
2019 – 2021
Head, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering
-
2014 – Present
Professor
Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati -
2014 – 2016
Associate Dean, Student Affairs (ADOSA)
IIT Guwahati -
2013
DAAD Exchange Visitor, Molecular Cell Biology
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany -
2010
Visiting Scientist, Department of Genetics
University of Georgia, Athens, GA -
2009 – 2014
Associate Professor
Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati -
2004 – 2009
Assistant Professor
Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati
Awards & Fellows
Awards & Honors
-
2025
ABAP Senior Scientist Award
Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy -
2022
Women Faculty Research and Innovation Award
IIT Guwahati -
2021
Dr. P. Sheel Memorial Lecture (Young Women Scientist) Award – Biotechnology
National Academy of Sciences, India -
2016
Women Bio Scientist Award – Plant Biotechnology
Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI) -
2014
Dr JN Baruah Memorial Award – Biological Sciences
Assam Science Society -
2014
Achievers Award
SDNBV Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai -
2012
Young Scientist Award – Biological Sciences
Indian Society of Chemists and Biologists -
2012
Professor Hiralal Chakravarty Memorial Award – Plant Sciences
Indian Science Congress -
2012
Young Women Scientist Award – Biotechnology
National Academy of Biological Sciences -
2008
Certificate of Recognition – Genomics Pioneer
Ocimum Biosolutions in association with OBBeC -
2007
Dr R. B. Ekbote Prize – Plant Biotechnology
Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science (MACS) & Agarkar Research Foundation, Pune
Fellows
-
2020
Fellow, Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI)
-
2017
Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI)
-
2016
Fellow, Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy (ABP)
-
2012
Fellow, Research Journal of Biotechnology
-
2011
Fellow, National Academy of Biological Sciences (NABS)
-
2010
Associate Member, NASI
-
2010
Fellow, Society of Applied Biotechnology (SAB)
-
2010
Fellow, International Society of Biotechnology (FISBT)
Professional Activities
Research Visits
-
2013
DAAD-IIT TU9 Fellowship
Visiting Scientist, DAAD -
2010
Biotechnology Overseas Associateship
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India
Academic Boards & Committees
-
2021–2025
Member
Inter-Academy Panel for Women in STEMM -
2021–2023
Executive Board Member
Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI) -
2021–2022
Member, Fellowship Scrutiny Committee (Biological Sciences)
National Academy of Sciences India (NASI) -
2020–2022
Executive Committee Member, North-East Zone
NCSM -
2020–2021
Subject Expert Member
Government of Assam -
2019–2022
Board Member
IIT Guwahati Research Park -
2019–2021
Member, Northeast Local Chapter
NASI -
2018–2020
Scientific Advisory Committee Member
SDNB Vaishnav College for Women -
2013
EC Member, North-East Zone
The Cytometry Society (TCS) -
2007
Member
AgBioForum -
2006
Member
Genome India Initiative (GII)
Editorial & Journal Affiliations
-
2017–Present
Editorial Board Member
Agriculture & Food Security (BioMed Central) -
2009
Editorial Member
Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science -
2008
Honorary Member
International Journal of Biosciences and Biotechnology
Society Memberships
- 2026
Life Member, Society of Biological Chemists
- 2012
Life Member, International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC)
- 2012
Life Member, The Cytometry Society (TCS India)
- 2011
Life Member, Indian Society of Chemists and Biologists (ISCB)
- 2011
Life Member, Society of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (ISPBB)
- 2011
Life Member, Indian Society for Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR)
- 2010
Life Member, Indian Botanical Society (IBS)
- 2010
Life Member, Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy (ABP)
- 2010
Life Member, Society for Biotechnologists, India (SBTI)
- 2009
Life Member, Indian Women Scientists' Association (IWSA)
- 2009
Life Member, Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI)
- 2007
Life Member, Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA)
- 2006
Life Member, Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS)
- 2002
Member, American Society of Plant Physiologists
Invited Talks
-
Meta-analysis and usage pattern of medicinal plants from foothills of Bhutan
Global Conference on Integrating Technology with Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Agriculture and Biomedical Sciences for Sustainable Development (ITHPBAB-2025), Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, 17 Dec 2025 (ABAP Senior Scientist Award Lecture). -
Molecular and microscopical authentication of Alpinia nigra medicinal and novel-food plant of Assam
ARKA Talk Series, National Institute of Horticulture Research, ICAR-IIHR, Hessaraghatta, Bengaluru, 18 July 2025. -
Development of a cosmeceutical from Alpinia nigra
Indo-German Workshop “Modern Applications from Traditional Remedy: The Metamorphosis of Insulin Plant (Costus pictus) into Antidiabetic Functional Food” Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, 3 June 2025. -
Partial estrogen-like effects of karanjin and mechanism involved
International conference on Biotechnology, Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics. SV University, Tirupati, 27 Dec 2024. -
Legume Gold Mine – Pongam Saga
School of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, 16 Dec 2024. -
Gender issues in Northeast India “Exploring Intersectionality: Gender, Ethnicity, and Identity in Northeast India"
S&T Intervention for the Development of the North-East Region especially involving Women, NEHU Shillong, 14–15 June 2024. -
Mining Renewable Energy Resources – Rendezvous with Karanj
DAILAB CAFÉ Series 90, AIST-INDIA DAILAB, AIST Tsukuba, Japan, 11 March 2024. -
Zingiberaceae Exploration
UGC Refresher Course on "Recent Advance in Life Science for Sustainable Development", Gauhati University, 7 Feb 2024. -
Plastome mining of small genome plants
New Horizon in Biotechnology (NHBT) 2023, Trivandrum, 28 Nov 2023. -
Role of Women in protecting the Ecosystem
NASI North East Local Chapter under NASI New Initiatives, 2 May 2023. -
Phytochemicals a natural prospect towards healthcare-tryst with karanjin
Biological Sciences Presidential Lecture, 92nd NASI Annual Session, Prayagraj, 6 Dec 2022. -
Rendezvous with Zingiberaceae – Wilderness to Mining Plastome
Dr P. Sheel Memorial Award Lecture, Intl. Womens Day, NASI Webinar, 8 March 2022. -
Molecular phylogeny of Zingiberaceae
National level webinar on Molecular- Evolution, Taxonomy and Ecology, Tiruchirappalli, 17 Feb 2022. -
Genome Size determination of Woody tree species: A flow- cytometric approach
Online Workshop- Plant Flow Cytometry: Basics, Applications and Analysis of Ploidy and Genome Size, 18 Dec 2021. -
Flow cytometric studies on non-edible oil crops
International Conference on Biotechnology for Resource Efficiency, Energy, Environment, Chemicals and Health, BRSI Conference, Dehradun, 3 Dec 2021. -
Design registration - A marketing tool
Webinar on Basics of IPR and Patent Drafting, Dept. of Botany, USTM Meghalaya, 12 Nov 2021. -
Repeat element analysis in Karanj for marker development
International Conference on Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Lovely Professional University (LPU) Patalia, Punjab, 2021. -
Flow mining and in karanj and other biofuel crops
Sysmex Academy Webinar, 23 July 2021. -
Karanjin – molecule of interest
International Conference on Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Health (BASEH-2021), Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Jaipur, April 4-8, 2021. -
Flow mining for genome size estimation
22nd Indo-US Flow Cytometry Workshop, 26 Feb 2021. -
Homeopathy & Traditional Medicine: Herbals & High Dilution of Drugs for Human Health and Agriculture
Live Webinar, 20 Jan 2021. -
Role of biotechnology in understanding the impact of climate change on plants
QIP sponsored event on "Role of Science and Technology in Climate Smart Agriculture and Rural Development", CRT (now SART), IIT Guwahati, 8 Dec 2020. -
Bio-economy Research & Innovation for Post COVID World
5th North East Green Summit, Nov 16-18, 2020. -
Mining Pongamia alias ‘Karanj’- Journey So Far
National Seminar in Women in Science- The Northeast Chapter, Tripura University, 7 Nov 2020. -
Herbal therapeutic product development
QIP sponsored event on “Tools and practices for New Product Development for food and bio Industries", CRT (now SART),IIT Guwahati, 16 Nov 2020. -
Zingiberaceae: Ethno-medicinal usage and Genome variation
Webinar, Mizoram University, 7 Sep 2020. -
GM Seeds and IPR: Two opposite sides of the same coin
Webinar "Talk on IPR", NERIST, Arunachal Pradesh, 4 Aug 2020. -
Footprint of Women in Science: National Science Day Celebration
Royal Global University, 28 Feb 2020. -
New record of nuclear DNA and genome size variation among some species of Zingiberaceae from North east India
21st Indo US Flow Cytometry Workshop on “Basics of Flow Cytometry and its Applications in Plant Biology”. Eternal University, Baru Sahib, HP, Feb 2020. -
Labdane diterpenes from seeds- A potential candidature of antidiabetic drugs of herbal origin
4th International Conference on Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases, 23 Sep 2019. -
Basics of IPR
International workshop on empowerment and autonomy of women through a biobased circular economy design: resource recovery from waste, IIT Guwahati, 25 July 2019. -
IPR and Biotechnology
USTM Meghalaya, 2019. -
Mining of bioactives from seeds of Karanj
BRSI Convention, IICT Hyderabad, Nov 22-24, 2018. -
Estimation of nuclear genome size and its correlation with Ty1-copia like LTR retrotransposon and cell phenotypic traits
Global Plant and Molecular Biology Conference (GPMB), Rome, Sept 20-23, 2018. -
Ethno-medicinal usage of Zingiberaceae- New Positives of Research in Field of Applied Biodiversity
Invited Talk in Celebrating Science of NE India, Symbiosis Pune, 31 Aug 2018. -
Maintaining Biodiversity in North-eastern India: Ethno-medicinal usage of Zingiberaceae
Biovision Alexandria, Egypt, 2018. -
Women Leaders in the New Era of Science and Technology
Technological Empowerment of Women, NASI, IIT Guwahati, Nov 3-4, 2017. -
Combining the OLD with the NEW- “Nature is our PROTOTYPE”
UGC-SAP Visiting Fellows Programme, CAS in Botany, Chennai, 28 Mar 2017. -
Genome Size and Chromosome Number: keys to unfold polyploidization in taxonomically complex Zingiberaceae
IIT Guwahati, 20 Jan 2017. -
Mining Renewable Energy Resources- Progress in Pongamia
International Conference on Environmental Conservation and Human Health – Challenges and Strategies, 10th Annual Convention of Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy, SV University Tirupati, Dec 21-23, 2016. -
Mining Zingiberaceae from Wilderness to Tapping
'OMICS', BRSI Women Scientist Award Lecture, Dec 8-10, 2016. -
Flow Mining - Application & Progress in Plant Science
17th Indo-US Flow Cytometry Symposium and workshop, IISc Bangalore, March 14-18, 2016. -
Systematic case study on Pongam
Dept of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad, 29 Aug 2015. -
Recent Advances in BioSciences and Technology
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Feb 25-26, 2015. -
Biomass waste utilization
Indo-UK Seminar Series on Biomass waste utilization, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, Feb 11-14, 2015. -
Organizing Secretary and Resource Faculty
DBT Sponsored TCS Workshop on Flow Cytometry, Cachar Cancer Hospital, Silchar, Nov 10-11, 2014. -
Resource Faculty
15th Indo US Flow Cytometry Workshop, BBAU Lucknow, Oct 29-31, 2014. -
Advances in Plant Biotechnology- Applications of Flow Cytometry in Plant
MNIIT Allahbad, 27 Oct 2014. -
Flow Cytometry and Plant DNA analysis
Sanjay Gandhi Research Institue Lucknow, 21 Oct 2014. -
Advancement in Potential Tree Legume- Pongamia pinnata
IFGTB, Coimbatore, TN, Sept 23-24, 2014. -
Tapping Zingiberaceae - Wilderness to Mining ‘Biomolecules’
Dr JN Baruah Memorial Award Lecture in Biological Sciences, CSIR-NEIST Jorhat, 2 Sept 2014. -
Flow Cytometry and Plant DNA analysis
Ramchandra Medical University, Porur Chennai, 2014. -
Application and advances made in flow Cytometry in field of Plant Sciences
Viswa Bharti University, Santiniketan, WB, Dec 6-9, 2013. -
Versatility of P. pinnata
Ter Aviva Interaction Session, TERI New Delhi, 13 March 2013. -
Clean Energy Options and Nuclear Energy
National Science Day at Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology,Tezpur University, 28 Feb 2012. -
Biofuel resources
Talk Delivered as a part of BIOTECT HUB,Department of Botany, Goalpara College, Goalpara, Assam, 4 Nov 2011. -
DNAB as an ally for bioresources conservation
QIP-Short Term Course on “Tools for Bioresources Conservation”,IIT Guwahati, July 11-15, 2011. -
Application of biotechnology in bioresource utilization and conservation
NRDC Conference on “Socio-economic Empowerment of NE through Innovations”, Guwahati, 26 May 2011. -
Approaches to breeding in food crops
International Conference on Biotechnology and Global warming, Nammakal, TN, March 10-12, 2011. -
Mining in Zingibereceae of Northeast India
Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, USA, 15 Nov 2010. -
IPR and Bioresources Protection in Northeast India
Regional Seminar on “Intellectual Property & Innovation Management in Knowledge Era”, jointly organized by IIT Guwahati and NRDC, New Delhi, IIT Guwahati, 5–6 May 2010. -
Dynamic Landscape in Biotechnology Patenting
DBT–Elsevier Workshop on Information and Analytical Tools for the Life Science Researcher, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, 18 Mar 2010. -
Plant Biotechnology and IPR Issues
Awareness Programme on IPR organized by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India, Guwahati, 12 Mar 2010. -
Intellectual Property Rights Management
in PhD Scholars programme, UGC Academic Staff College, Gauhati University, Guwahati, 12 Oct–1 Nov 2009. -
ntellectual property righs and issues related to microbial biotechnology
AICTE-sponsored Programme on “Strain Selection and Improvement”, Erode, Tamil Nadu, 17–19 Jul 2009. -
IPR and Biodiversity
University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, 24 Jul 2009. -
Intellectual Property Rights, Patents and Patenting Procedures
in UGC Scholar's Programme, Gauhati University, Guwahati, 9–29 Mar 2009. -
Regional Consultation
Proposed National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA), Kolkata, 20 June 2008. -
Introduction and Definition of Biosafety Measures in Agribusiness
TOT Programme on “Biosafety Measures in Northeast India”, Institute for Development of Entrepreneurs in Assam, Guwahati, 25–26 Mar 2008. -
Context Sequences and Their Significance in Prediction of Start Codons
Bioinformatics Panel at the 95th Session of the Indian Science Congress, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 3–7 Jan 2008. -
IPR Issues Related to Plant Varieties
National Level Seminar on “Biodiversity – Exploration, Conservation & Utilisation of Plant Resources in North East India”, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati, 18–19 Dec 2007. -
Copyright Issues for Academia in the Digital Age Involving Electronic Materials
QIP Short-Term Course on “ICT and Development: A Human Interface”, IIT Guwahati, 12–16 Nov 2007. -
Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and IPR Issues in Microbial Biotechnology
QIP Short-Term Course on “Engineering Aspects of Enzymes and Microbial Processes”, IIT Guwahati, 4–8 Jun 2007. -
Ethical Issues in Technology and Engineering
QIP Short-Term Course on “Engineering Aspects of Enzymes and Microbial Processes”, IIT Guwahati, 4–8 Jun 2007. -
Consensus sequence and its significance in the sequenced genome of rice, O. sativa
Contributory Paper presented at the 2nd International Rice Congress, New Delhi, India, 2006. -
Building Public–Private Partnership in Agricultural Biotechnology
Contributory Paper presented at the 4th International Symposium on Biotechnology and Biocontrol, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 2006. -
Social Implications of Biotechnology: Public Perceptions and Acceptance
Plenary Talk at the Interdisciplinary Global Annual Dialogue, MSSRF, Chennai, India, 2003. -
Enhancement of Cereal Grain Yields by Genetic Manipulation of Phytohormone Levels
Plenary Talk at the Interdisciplinary Global Annual Dialogue, MSSRF, Chennai, India, 2003.
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Events Organized
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2025
95th Annual Session of NASI
Organising Secretary
8–10 December 2025 -
2022
International Conference on “Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioresources and Bioeconomy” and XIX Annual Convention of BRSI
Convener
7–11 December 2022 -
2021
Full Spectrum Flow Cytometry Webinar – A True Way of Doing Flow Cytometry
Jointly organized with NIPER-G, Labindia and Cytek
3 August 2021 -
2019
20th Indo-US Symposium and Flow Cytometry Workshop: “Applications of Flow Cytometry in Biotechnology”
Principal Convenor
13–16 March 2019 -
2017
Sensitization Workshop on Technological Empowerment of Women
Organized under the umbrella of NASI
3–4 November 2017 -
2016
9th TCS Annual Symposium and Workshop: “Applications of FLOW in Basic, Applied and Clinical Biology (FABACTCS2016)”
Organising Secretary
Under the aegis of The Cytometry Society of India
3–5 November 2016 -
2015
Flow Data Analysis Workshop
Convenor
24–25 January 2015 -
2014
Basic and Clinical Cytometry Course
Joint Principal Convenor
Under the aegis of The Cytometry Society of India
9–10 November 2014 -
2012
14th Indo-US Flow Cytometry Workshop: “Applications of Flow Cytometry in Nanotechnology and Plant Genomics”
Principal Convenor
8–10 October 2012 -
2011
AICTE Sponsored Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) on “Tools for Bioresources Conservation”
Principal Co-ordinator and Resource Person
11–15 July 2011 -
2006
Regional Seminar on “Awareness Program on Intellectual Property Rights and Patents for Capacity Building”
Organized under MHRD Sponsored Scheme at IIT Guwahati
Principal Co-ordinator and Resource Person
15–17 September 2006
Administrative Responsibilities
Institute Level
-
2019 – 2021
Head, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering
-
2018 – 2020
Member, SAPA Sub-Committee for Research Building
-
2017 – 2020
Member, Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
-
2016 – 2018
Member, RURBAN
-
2015 – 2019
Member, Unnat Bharath Abhiyan (UBA)
-
2015 – 2017
Member, Rashtriya Avishkar Yojna
-
2015 – 2019
Member, Sishugram Development Committee
-
2014 – 2016
Associate Dean, Student Affairs
-
2009 – 2014
Member, Convocation Committee (Stage, Food, VIP)
-
2014
Warden, Dhansiri
-
2012 – 2014
Warden, Subansiri
-
2012
Associate Warden, Subansiri
-
2009 – 2010
Member, Institute Library Committee
-
2006 – 2007
Member, Institute Time Table Committee
-
2006 – 2008
Member, Intellectual Property Right Management Committee (IPRMC)
Department / Centre Level Roles
-
Member, DPPC and CPPC
-
Member, DUPC
-
Member, DFAC
-
Member, Purchase Committee (BSBE & CRT)
-
Coordinator & Member, Department and Centre Annual Report
-
Coordinator & Member, Webpage Maintenance (BSBE & CRT)
-
Member, PhD and MTech Entrance Examination (BSBE & CRT)
-
Coordinator, Department Library
-
Coordinator, Department Time Table