Dr. Pawan Kumar Jewaria
Scientist IV
Postdoctoral Fellow: Technical University of Munich, Germany
- 91-11-26735114; Ext:114
- pawanjewaria@nipgr.ac.in; jewariapawan@gmail.com
Profile
Research Interests
Plant Stress Physiology and Developmental Genetics Laboratory
Plant productivity is increasingly threatened by environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, and nutrient limitation, which severely reduce crop growth and yield. Our laboratory investigates how plants integrate stress responses with developmental programs to maintain growth under adverse conditions. We are using a state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary approach combining genetics, physiology, cell biology, CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing, microscopy, and proteomics.
We are interested in identifying key peptide genes and signaling networks for plant hormones (auxin, cytokinin, and brassinosteroids) that enhance stress resilience without compromising growth. Our research aims to develop strategies for engineering climate-resilient crops with improved productivity and sustainable agricultural performance.
Figure 1: Auxin transport is fundamental to plant growth and development. Mutations in the PIN1 gene result in a pin-shaped inflorescence phenotype and complete failure of seed production, highlighting the critical role of directional auxin transport in reproductive development.
Professional & Academic Background
Staff Scientist IV (2026-Present):┬аBRIC-National Institute for Plant Genome Research
Staff Scientist III (2022-2026):┬аNational Institute for Plant Genome Research (NIPGR)
Postdoctoral Fellow (2021-2022):┬а┬аTechnical University of Munich, Germany
Postdoctoral Fellow (2019-2021):┬а┬аUmea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Sweden and Beijing Forestry University, China
Assistant Professor (2016-2018):┬аJaipur National University, Jaipur, India
Postdoctoral Fellow (2013-2015):┬аUniversity of Tubingen, Germany and University of Bremen, Germany
Postdoctoral Fellow (July 2013-Sept 2013):┬аOsaka University, Japan
Ph.D. (June 2013):┬аOsaka University, Japan
Awards & Honors
Achievers Award from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India (2025)
EMBO Workshop "Plant Tropism" Travel award: The workshop held in National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB), Okazaki, Japan from 09.07.2024 to 12.07.2024
Postdoctoral Grant (Technical University of Munich, Germany) 2021-2022
Postdoctoral Grant (Beijing Forestry University, China) 2019-2021
Postdoctoral Grant (University of Bremen, Germany) 2013-2015
Postdoctoral Grant (Osaka University, Japan) 2013
Japanese Government Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Fellowship for Ph.D. (2008-2011)
Senior Research Fellowship (CSIR, India)-Life Sciences (2006-2008)
Junior Research Fellowship (CSIR, India) -Life Sciences (2004-2006)
Eligibility for Lectureship (Awarded by CSIR, India) -Life Sciences (2003)
Eligibility for Lectureship (Awarded by ASRB, India) - Plant Physiology (2006)
Current Members
Dr. Rahul Nitnavare
Research Associate-I (RA-I)
Deciphering the Role of Root Meristem Growth Factors (RGFs) in Root System Architecture and Stress Adaptation
- rahulnitnavare@nipgr.ac.in
Ms. Anshika Singh
Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Auxin and Secretory Peptides Regulating Root System Architecture
- anshikasingh2988@gmail.com
Ms. Poojha
M. Tech Trainee
Molecular Mechanism of Plant Elicitor Peptide 6 (PEP6) Regulating Plant Growth and Development
Mr. Gokul
M. Tech Trainee
Secretory Peptides Regulating Yield and Yield Stability in Plants
Ms. Saanvi Verma
B.Sc. Trainee
Functional Characterization of GLV2 Regulating Root Gravitropic Response
Harishankar Tiwari
Multitask Person
- harishankartiwari742@gmail.com
Publications
Wang, D.,┬аJewaria, P.K., Xiao, J. (2025). Photosynthetic adaptation in poplar under abiotic and biotic stress: integrating molecular, physiological, and biotechnological perspectives. Int. J. Plant Biol. 16 (42).┬аhttps:// doi.org/10.3390/ijpb16020042
Du, J., Shao, C., Wang, D., Feng, Z., Cui, C., Li, R.,┬аJewaria, P.K., Wang, X., Xiao, J., Wang, X. (2025). Deletion of the┬аPtrDJ1C┬аgene leads to increased branching in poplar. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.┬аhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109789
Jewaria, P.K., Begum, R.A., Wang, Y., Sancho-Andreas, G., Baba, A.I., Aryal, B., Yu, M., Li, X., Lin, J., Fry, S.C., Verger, S., Russinova, E., Jonsson, K., Bhalerao, R.P. (2025). Reduced RG-II pectin dimerization disrupts differential growth by attenuating hormonal regulation. Science Advances. 11 (eads0760).
Jewaria, P.K., Yu, M., Li, X. (2021). Cell wall and hormonal interplay controls growth asymmetry. Trends in Plant Science. 26 (7), 665-667.
Jewaria, P.K., Hanninen, H., Li, X.., Bhalerao, R.P., Zhang, R. (2021). A hundred years after: endodormancy and the chilling requirement in subtropical trees. New Phytologist. 231, 565-570.
Liu, P.L., Zhang, X., Mao, J.F., Hong, Y.M., Zhang R.G., Yilan, E., Shuai, N., Jia, K., Jiang, C.K., He, J., Shen, W., He, Q., Zheng, W., Abbas, S.,┬аJewaria, P.K., Tian, X., Liu, C., Yin, Y., Liu, B., Jiang, X., Wang, L., Jin, B., Ma, Y., Qiu, Z., Baluska, F., Samaj, J., He, X., Niu, S., Xie, J., Xie, L., Xu, H., Kong, H., Ge, S., Dixon, R.A., Jiao, Y., Lin, J. (2020). The Tetracentron genome provides insight into the early evolution of eudicots and the formation of vessel elements. Genome Biology. 21:291.
Yu, M., Li, R., Cui, Y., Chen, W., Li, B., Zhang, X., Li,X., Bu, Y., Cao,Y., Xing, J.,┬аJewaria, P.K., Li, X., Bhalerao, R. P., Yu, F., Lin, J. (2020). The RALF1-FERONIA interaction modulates endocytosis to mediate control of root growth in Arabidopsis. Development.147 (13)
Kumari, A.,┬аJewaria, P.K., Bergmann, D., Kakimoto, T. (2014). Arabidopsis reduces growth under osmotic stress by decreasing SPEECHLESS protein. Plant & Cell Physiol. 55, 2037-46.
Jewaria, P.K., Hara, T., Tanaka, H., Kondo, T., Betsuyaku, S., Sawa, S., Sakagami, Y., Aimoto, S., Kakimoto, T. (2013). Differential effects of the peptides stomagen, EPF1 and EPF2 on activation of MAP kinase MPK6 and the SPCH protein level. Plant & Cell Physiol. 54, 1253-1262
Opportunities
Highly motivated students and postdocs are encouraged to contact with me (pawanjewaria@nipgr.ac.in) with motivational letter. The applications without motivational letter will not be considered. Foreign national candidates are welcome in my lab. Support and help will be offered to qualified candidates during the application process.