Mrinali Sood

Dedicated Horticulturist with a Ph.D. in Floriculture and Landscaping from Punjab Agricultural University. A three-time ASRB NET qualifier (2021, 2023, 2025) and Inspire Fellowship recipient, I possess a deep academic background in plant physiology, precision farming, and ornamental breeding. My experience as a Project Associate-II at CSIR-IHBT and as a merit scholar reflects a commitment to high-impact research and teaching excellence. I have authored multiple research articles, book chapters, and magazine features, focusing on advancing sustainable technologies in the floral industry.

• Quick learner with a knack for adapting seamlessly to challenging environments. Possesses exceptional written and interpersonal verbal skills, facilitating effective communication in diverse professional settings. Proficient in multitasking, strategic planning, and adept at problem-solving. Demonstrates strong project management capabilities and excels in experimental designing, contributing to the successful execution of research initiativees.

Project Associate- II,

CSIR-IHBT (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research), Palampur

Dec 2024 - Nov 2025

• Collaborated with team members to streamline workflow processes, enhancing overall project efficiency.
• Conducted research that informed project development and implementation strategies.
• Prepared project documentation and maintained accurate records for reference.
• Engaged with rural communities and facilitated workshops and trainings.

• Certificate of Merit in the matriculation examination by HPBOSE, Dharamshala
• MSc Merit holder at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan.
• Ph.D. merit scholarship.
• Inspire Fellowship Award 2021 under Ph.D. Programme
• Passed PSEB-Matriculation Examination- 55.3%
• National Eligibility Test (NET- ASRB ) 2021,2023,2025
• PET 2020-21 -1st rank holder

• Fast learner, easily adapts in a challenging environment, sublime written and interpersonal verbal skills effective multitasking with proficient planning and problem-solving abilities, project handling. Experimental design, tissue culture, biochemical analysis, antioxidant assays, microscopy, apparatus handling, centrifuge, autoclave, water bath, micropipettes, sonicator, microscope, spectrophotometer, gas chromatography, SEM, portable photosynthesis system (ERGA), rotary evaporator

• Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE) - IARI Regional Station Katrain, Kullu (15 days)
• Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE) - RHRTS, Mashobra, Shimla (15 days)
• Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE)- KVK, Chamba (15 days)
• Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE)- KVK, Jaach, Kangra (15 days)
• Experiential Learning Program- COHF, Nauni, Solan (1 year)
• Rose show -2019- COH, Nauni, Solan
• Skill development programme on ‘ Landscape Gardener’ under CSIR integrated skill initiative- CSIR, Palampur (5 Days)
• Participated in Skill Development Programme on “Landscape Gardener” under CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative from 17 to 21June, 2019.
• Participated in e-Training Programme of Home Gardening, organized by Botanic Garden Division, CSIR- National Botanical Garden Division, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow from July 6-8, 2021.
• Participated in Two day Virtual National Workshop on Post –harvest Management and Value addition of Ornamentals organized by Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, U.P. held on 17th _ 18th February, 2022

· Presented oral presentation in 2nd International Conference on Recent Advances in Agricultural, Environmental and Applied Sciences for Global Development (RAAEASGD-2019) on ‘EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GROWING MEDIA AND SHADE LEVELS ON POT PLANT PRODUCTION OF AGLAONEMA MODESTUM’.

· Presented poster presentation in 9th Indian Horticulture Congress-2021 funded by IAHS on ‘ROLE OF HORTICULTURE IN MEETING FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS’ held on 18-21 November, 2021 in Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, UP.

POSTER PRESENTATION ON EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF FRENCH  MARIGOLD in Progressive Horticulture Conclave held on 3-5 February 2023  in GB Pant Agriculture University.

· Presented Oral Presentation on ‘EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GROWING CONDITIONS ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF ORCHIDS (DENDROBIUM SP.) at ‘National Conference on Recent Trends and Future Prospects of  Floriculture in India’ organized by ICAR-IIHR, during 9-11 January, 2024  at Bengaluru.

· Presented oral presentation on ‘Precision farming in floriculture:  enhancing yield, efficiency and sustainability’ in national conference  on Sustainable food security (SFS-2025) on March 11, 2025.

· Participated in ‘Sensitization Workshop on Blossom Midge Menace in Floriculture: Challenges and Management’.

· Presented Oral presentation in National Symposium on Ornamental and  Edible Horticulture- Emerging challenges and sustainable goals funded  by ICAR, NABARD on ‘EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTNING ON GROWTH AND FLOWER  PRODUCTION OF ORNAMENTALS’ held on 21st -22ndFebruary, 2022 in  BidhanChandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal.

· Research Article: Sood M and Bhatia S. 2023. Effect of different growing media and shade levels on pot plant production of Aglaonema modestum. Agricultural Research Journal. 60(1): 80-84.

· Magazine FLORICULTURE TODAY: Dendrobium Orchids: A boon for Northern India. January, 2023 ed. Page 46-47

· THE AGRICULTURE MAGAZINE: Diseases in Orchids. July, 2023. Vol 2 (9). Page 405-407.

· Book Chapter: ‘Floriculture and Ornamental Plant Production: Innovation in Breeding and Production System’ in the book titled “Modern Horizons in Horticulture Emerging Trends and Technologies” having ISBN: 978-93-58990-34-8.

· Research article: Micro propagation of miniature rose cv. Ice Fairy: Impact of growth regulators on in vitro shooting and rooting (Journal of Environmental Biology) (under Proof reading).

· Review article: Decoding the Molecular, Hormonal, and Genetic Mechanisms of Rose Flower Senescence (Horticulture, environment and Biotechnology) (under Process).

· Review article: Comprehensive insights into Liatris spicata: from botanical traits to ethanomedicinal application (Journal of Applied research on medicinal and aromatic plants) (under process).

· Review article: Precision Floriculture: Advancing Flower Cultivation with Smart Technologies. (International journal of environment science and technology) (under process).

· Effect of colchicine treatment on ploidy level of Ornithogalumsp. (under process).

· Effect of gamma radiations on growth and flowering of Liatris spicata. (under process).

· Effect of different spacing and planting depth on Liatris spicata (under process).