Agronomy and Agricultural Techniques

Uma Rani Sinniah

Designation: Professor

Department: Department of Crop Science

Institution: University Putra Malaysia

Country: Malaysia

Dr. Uma Rani Sinniah has been lecturing at the faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia for 22 years. Her expertise is in the area of seed science and technology covering physiology, biochemistry and storage both conventional and via cryopreservation. She completed her PhD in 1997 from the University ofReading, United Kingdom. As a lecturer, she has been outstanding, well-liked by her students and colleagues.

As a supervisor and co-supervisor, she has many under her guidance. To date she has supervised around 70 undergraduates and 56 postgraduates out of which 20 are for their PhD’s. Due to her exemplary qualities and knowledge in her field, the candidates graduating under her supervision are able to attach themselves at good organization inclusive of holding international positions. For a lecturer she has her hands full. But in spite of all this she is actively involved in research, receiving many research grants both from local sources and international grants. In addition she has contributed significantly to the rice industry through her product which can reduce lodging in rice, indirectly increasing rice yield by 20%. She is also the President of the National Seed Association Malaysia. She has also served as the Deputy Director at the University Community Transformation Center and this assignment revolves around ensuring knowledge transfer of university technologies and know-how to the industries and communities. Dr. Uma’s contribution in the form of research output are also very significant. She has published more than 100 articles in renowned citation indexed journals while others are in non-citation indexed journals.