Dr. Manohar Chakrabarti Awarded The 2023 ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award

By María González

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS — The Division of Research at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley proudly announces that Dr. Manohar Chakrabarti , Assistant Professor of Plant Functional Genomics in the Department of Biology, has been awarded the 2023 ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. This marks the first time a UTRGV faculty member has received this prestigious recognition.

This competitive one-year grant is open to full-time assistant professors within two years of their tenure-track appointment at a participating ORAU institution.

Among the 167 applications received from 93 member institutions, Chakrabarti's research expertise propelled him to be one of the 35 awardees for this year. This recognition highlights his unwavering commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of plant functional genomics.

"This achievement demonstrates Dr. Chakrabarti's commitment to research excellence," said Dr. Can Saygin, PhD Senior Vice President for Research at UTRGV. "The recognition by itself means a lot, but 'being the first at UTRGV' is another level of achievement," he added.

Chakrabarti's primary research focus is identifying gene regulatory networks and novel molecular mechanisms underlying diverse developmental and physiological processes (e.g., abiotic and biotic stresses) in plants, including sorghum, tomato, and other crop species using genetic, molecular, biochemical, and genomic approaches.

His research will contribute towards the improvement of agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by identifying novel mechanisms regulating responses of crop plants to stress conditions and will facilitate the development of climate-resilient crop varieties to ensure future food security in our region and beyond.

The ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award is designed to provide financial support to outstanding junior faculty members at ORAU member institutions. This award enables recipients to enhance their research programs, foster collaborative relationships, and advance their professional careers.

By receiving this honor, Dr. Chakrabarti joins a leading group of researchers who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

This award attests to UTRGV's faculty members' dedication to cultivating a culture of innovation and scholarly excellence.

To view the list of awardees and learn more about the ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, visit https://www.orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/powe/index.html.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Chakrabarti on this important achievement!

About UTRGV

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a leading institution of higher education dedicated to advancing knowledge through innovative research, exceptional teaching, and community engagement. UTRGV offers a wide range of academic programs and fosters a vibrant and inclusive learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.