Dr. Upadhyay is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. He has been working in the field of Plant Biotechnology for more than 16 years. He is currently working in the area of functional genomics. His research group at PU has characterized numerous important defence-related protein families such as receptor-like kinases, anti-oxidant enzymes, calcium transporters, chitinases, lectins, etc. They are also characterizing long non-coding RNAs related to the abiotic and biotic stress response. He has authored more than 110 publications includingresearch papers in leading journals of international repute, national and international patents, book chapters and books. In recognition of his strong credentials and contributions, he has been awarded the NAAS Young scientist award (2017-18) and NAAS-Associate (2018) from the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India, INSA-Associate Fellowship (2023), and INSA Medal for Young Scientist (2013) from the Indian National Science Academy, India, NASI- Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award (2012) from the National Academy of Sciences, India, and Altech Young Scientist Award (2011). He has also been the recipient of the prestigious DST-INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship (2012), and SERB-Early Career Research Award, (2016) from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and several research grants from various funding agencies like SERB, DBT, CSIR etc. Dr. Upadhyay also serves as a member of the editorial board and reviewer of a number of peer-reviewed international journals.