Awarded B.Sc. (Agriculture) and M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Plant Pathology from the University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad during 1986 and 1988 respectively.  Awarded Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi during 1994. Awarded IARI merit medal for outstanding research work during Ph. D and UAS Gold medal for highest OGPA during M. Sc. (Agriculture). Joined ICAR through Agriculture Research Service as Scientist (Plant Pathology) at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute Shimla during 1995 and worked for five years. Selected as Senior Scientist (Plant Pathology) at ICAR - Central Tuber Crops for Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram and worked for 8 years and elevated to Principal Scientist from 01.01. 2009. Transferred to ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod on 01.12.2011 and appointed as Head, Division of Crop Protection on 31.12.2013. Completed 5 years as Head, Division of Crop Protection and presently continuing as Acting Head, Div of Crop Protection, ICAR-CPCRI from 1^st January 2019 onwards.   

Presently working on diagnostics and management of diseases of coconut, arecanut, and cocoa.  Specialized in molecular diagnostics and management of plant diseases and has 25 years of research experience in the ICAR system. Developed serological (DAC–ELISA, NCM-ELISA) and nucleic acid-based (RT-PCR and NASH) diagnostics for detection of Sweet potato feathery mottle virus and Dasheen mosaic virus. Characterized and developed rapid species-specific PCR-based detection for the fungal pathogens namely Phytophthora coclocasiae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Phytophthora palmivora, and Sclerotium rolfsii.  Developed an IDM for cassava mosaic was which involved the use of meristem derived virus-free cassava, planting of barrier crops like maize or redgram, spraying of antiviral plant extract. Isolated and identified cassava rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria capable of plant growth promotion, showing good biocontol potential against cassava tuber rot pathogen Phytophthora palmivora and inducing systemic resistance against cassava mosaic virus. Developed simple and efficient micropropagation Øprotocol for greater yam and taro.  Indexed more than 500 tissues cultured and seed potatoes for viruses by electron microscopy and serological (ELISA) based detection of potato viruses. Also tested the potatoes for viroid infection by Nucleic acid spot hybridization. Improved the ISEM for potato viruses, Developed Perseveration technique for potato viruses. Presentably handling the project on “Integrated disease management in plantation crops” and characterized the diversity of Phytophthora pathogens infecting coconut, arecanut, and cocoa. Identified and characterized phytoplasma infecting weeds in coconut based cropping system and associated with coconut lethal wilt disease.

Published 60 research papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals, authored 6 technical bulletins, 6 book chapters 10 popular articles, and presented research findings in several national and international conferences/symposia.   Recognized as a guide by the University of Kerala for guiding Ph. D in the Biotechnology and guided five students for Ph.D. in Biotechnology and more than 25 M. Sc. Microbiology and Biotechnology students for project work.  Handled more than 14 research projects of Institute, or ICAR network, DBT as PI or Co-PI