Director of The UWI Cocoa Research Centre
Professor Pathmanathan Umaharan
FORUM TOPIC
INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BIOSAFETY LEGISLATION IN CARICOM
Pathmanathan Umaharan joined the teaching staff of The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine in August 1991. He lectured a variety of courses including General Genetics, Advanced Genetics, Plant Breeding, Evolution, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. He was later promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1999 and then Professor of Genetics in May 2008. During that time, he graduated 16 PhD students and 9 MPhil students.
On March 1st 2010, Professor Umaharan assumed duties as the Director of The UWI Cocoa Research Centre. As Director, Professor Umaharan is responsible for policy, strategic direction and governance of the Cocoa Research Centre, in addition to curation of the genebank and outreach.
Professor Umaharan is an expert in plant genetic resources management, genetic analysis and crop improvement. He has worked with several crops including cocoa, anthurium, hot pepper, tomato, cowpea, and pigeon pea, specifically with respect to genetic resistance to pest and diseases, yield and yield components as well as quality traits. His other areas of interest include biotechnology and biosafety, where he serves on regional advisory panels and groups.
His current research interests are centered around understanding host-pathogen interactions and genetics of resistance in cocoa and anthurium; genetic resource management in cacao and hot pepper as well as biotechnological approaches to improving the colour range in anthurium.
On March 1st 2010, Professor Umaharan assumed duties as the Director of The UWI Cocoa Research Centre. As Director, Professor Umaharan is responsible for policy, strategic direction and governance of the Cocoa Research Centre, in addition to curation of the genebank and outreach.
Professor Umaharan is an expert in plant genetic resources management, genetic analysis and crop improvement. He has worked with several crops including cocoa, anthurium, hot pepper, tomato, cowpea, and pigeon pea, specifically with respect to genetic resistance to pest and diseases, yield and yield components as well as quality traits. His other areas of interest include biotechnology and biosafety, where he serves on regional advisory panels and groups.
His current research interests are centered around understanding host-pathogen interactions and genetics of resistance in cocoa and anthurium; genetic resource management in cacao and hot pepper as well as biotechnological approaches to improving the colour range in anthurium.