Dr. Annamalai Muthusamy obtained PhD from Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India (2002) in the area of in Plant Breeding/Biotechnology. Dr. A Muthusamy joined Manipal School of Life Sciences, MAHE, Manipal as Assistant Professor (2006-2009), later promoted as Associate Professor (2009-2015), Associate Professor and Head (2015-2018), Professor and Head (2018-2024) and currently working as Professor, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India.
His research interests Plant biotechnology, physiology and molecular biology, laser and nanoparticle-assisted breeding for abiotic stress tolerance, physio-biochemical and molecular aspects of stress responses, DNA methylation & stress responses, molecular identification of plant diseases and diagnosis, plant-pathogen interactions, phytoremediation of metals and plant-pesticide interactions.

Completed four research projects from ICMR, DST and DST-SERB as Principal investigator. First prize for our project model entitled “Lasers in Agriculture: A Powerful Tool for Improved Seed Germination and Crop Productivity”

Abiotic and biotic stress responses, laser and nanoparticle-mediated breeding, genetic and metabolic diversity, algal compounds as biostimulant, molecular developmental aspects of eggplant, plant-microbe interactions, phytoremediation of heavy metals, interactions of residual pesticides in plants and influence of laser in laser-plant interactions.

Has 23 years of teaching and 29 years of research and contributed more than 71 peer-reviewed articles, 9 book chapters and 1 book (edited). He has published several articles in prestigious journals. Currently he has three ongoing research grants from ICMR, ANRF and India-Italy JSTC. Dr. Muthusamy is the member of several professional international and national societies. He has several awards such as Best Teacher Award, best paper presentation, best publication and project model at Association of Indian University competition. He is the member of editorial board in Frontiers in Plant Science and BMC Agriculture, Associate Editor in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems and Editor in Vegetos. Also he is act as ad-hoc reviewer for peer-reviewed International and National Journals.

Awards and recognition:

• 2025: Travel and perdiem award for invited speaker at International forum on Plant and Agriculture in Ecological Governance: Advancing Ecological Networks and OECMs, organized by Future Earth Taipei & Taipei Hub Center for Sustainability Science, Academia Sinica. Taiwan during 16-17, October 2025
• 2021: Best Teacher Award by Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal for the year 2020-2021.
• 2018: Kundapur Mohan and Lata Bhandarkars’ merit-cum-means Scholarship to PhD student (Mr. Kiran KR) for our Manuscript.
• 2017: Kundapur Mohan and Lata Bhandarkars’ merit-cum-means Scholarship to PhD student (Ms. Swathy PS) for our Manuscript.
• 2017: First prize for our project model entitled “Lasers in Agriculture: A Powerful Tool for Improved Seed Germination and Crop Productivity”
• 2015: First prize for the Best Paper presentation (Oral) with cash award at a National Seminar
• 2011: Best Paper presentation award (Oral) for our paper at National Symposium
• 2010: 2nd Prize in Oral Presentation for our paper at ISPP Zonal Conference
• 2002: Overseas Travel Grant and Perdiem Award by The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and Indian National Science Academy [INSA), Govt. of India, New Delhi with Full Travel Grant and Perdiem respectively.
• 2003-2006: Research Associate (CSIR): Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi – 110 067.
• 2002-2003: Senior Research Fellow (CSIR-SRF) (Post-PhD): Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli – 620024. Tamil Nadu (2002-2003)