Outreach activities:

1. Nature walks in the campus and beyond, on an average once every month except during 2020 and 2021.

2. Popular science talks: addressing public and farmers, demonstrations and other activities. For a glimpse, please see: Science setu (bridge) talk (https://www.instem.res.in/dbt-instem-science-setu please scroll down), addressing younger people https://youtu.be/gamgHdllsq0

3. Organized covid work and acted as bridge between State administration and NCBS covid testing centre. Organized collection of covid samples, their testing and reporting to state.

4. Interaction with a network of 200+ farmers to provide ideas for crops, diseases and soil testing.

5. Wrote popular kannada articles such as-

N.D. Sunitha and P.V. Shivaprasad (2018).  Application of Biotechnology: Extension and Development of horticulture. Lalbagh newsletter, Bangalore.

6. Played a role in the Covid Gyan initiative, a pan-institutional, multi-lingual effort to combat misinformation about the virus and associated pandemic.

7. Screening documentaries in government schools.

8. Tree walks for all @ the NCBS campus.

9. Mentoring young entrepreneur Mr Krishnan (SMURF) and developing low cost compost tea machine.

10. Resource person for Prof Marigowda Foundation, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Bangalore.

11. Participated in Nature India podcast 43 on plant tissue culture. August 2025. https://www.nature.com/articles/d44151-025-00045-x

12. Ground reports on genome editing and developing climate resilience. The Print. May 2025. https://theprint.in/ground-reports/indian-scientists-arming-plants-gene-editing-climate-proofing/2678829/

2. Outreach talks (Schools, Farmer's meet and colleges during the last 10 years): These exclude talks during conferences.

• Small RNAs and epigenetics: the dark matter of genomes. Training course for mid-career scientists and UG/PG faculty on "RNAi technology and its Applications", Maharani College, Bangalore, 12th February, 2014.
• Transcriptional silencing and epigenetics. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 7th March, 2014.
• Role of Epigenetics and small RNAs in plant stress responses. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 14th March, 2014.
• Small RNA silencing pathways in plants. Agricultural University, Hassan, 27th March, 2014.
• Epigenetics and transcriptional silencing. University of Agricultural Sciences, Hassan, 7th April, 2014.
• Small RNAs and epigenetics: the dark matter of genomes. Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA) special lecture series. Mangalore University, 30th October, 2014.
• Resource person, State Inter-University Centre for Genomics and Gene Technology (IU-CGGT), Trivandrum, Kerala University, 10th November, 2014.
• Small RNAs and epigenetics. National Conference on 21stCentury Biological Sciences (NC2BS), Auxilium College, Vellore. 6th February, 2015.
• Epigenetics and transcriptional silencing. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 3rd March, 2015.
• Two lectures titled 'Small RNAs and Epigenetics: The dark matter of genomes' and ‘Insight into small RNA biogenesis and their functions in plants’, ICAR sponsored Summer School for PG teachers.
• Plant small RNAs and Epigenetics, Foundation Day lecture, CIMAP-CSIR, Bangalore, 19th September, 2015.
• Small RNAs and epigenetics. Mar Athanasios College For Advanced Studies (MACFAST) Tiruvalla, Kerala, 5th December, 2015.
• Biogenesis and functions of plant small silencing RNAs. "De-coding the Non-coding" workshop, Central University, Kasargod, Kerala.19th February, 2016.
• "Small RNAs and epigenetics, the dark matter of genomes" UGC SAP programme, University of Madras, 28th March, 2016.
• Involvement of Epigenetics and transcriptional silencing in stress responses. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 25th February, 2016.
• Cascade silencing initiator miRNAs regulate phenylpropanoid pathways in diverse plant species. School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University, 30th May 2016.
• Insight into small RNA biogenesis and their functions in plants. University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, 16th  July, 2016.
• Small RNA mediated regulation of plant secondary metabolic pathways. MS Ramiah College, Bangalore, 25th November, 2016.
• Insight into small RNA biogenesis and their functions in plants. National Conference on Biotechnology, IU-CGGT, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, 2nd March, 2017.
• Epigenetics and transcriptional silencing. Workshop for PG teachers, Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 9th March, 2017.
• Epigenetics and small RNA variations in plants. Workshop on genomics, Department of Genetics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 17th March 2017.
• Insight into small RNA biogenesis and their functions in plants. Biotechnology conclave, IU-CGGT, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, 2nd March, 2017.
• Application of Biotechnology in Horticulture Use of small RNA molecules to remodel plant development and metabolism. Prof. M.H. Marigowda Memorial Lecture, Lalbagh, Bangalore, 22ndJune, 2017.
• Experimental approaches in utilization of genomic resources for improvement of horticultural crops, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, 22nd August, 2017.
• Biogenesis and functions of plant small RNAs. Bangalore University, Workshop for PG teachers. 23rd February, 2018.
• miRNA-mediated regulation of plant secondary metabolism. OMICS gateway-Tools and Techniques for Modern Agriculture, GKVK, 23rd March, 2018.
• miRNA-mediated regulation of plant secondary metabolism. National Conference on Biotechnology, AVK College, Hassan, 28th March, 2018.
• Two talks at INSA sponsored workshop on Trends in Biochemistry: Small RNAs and epigenetics and Biogenesis of small RNAs. Kongu Science and Arts College, Erode. Sep 20-21, 2018.
• Micro-RNA mediated regulation of plant secondary metabolic pathways. University of Horticultural Sciences, Bangalore. 20th October, 2018.
• Application of biotechnology and next generation sequencing technologies. 2 day conference. Guntur University, Andhra Pradesh. 3rd Oct, 2018.
• miRNA-mediated regulation of rice domestication-associated phenotypes. Jain University, Bangalore. A 2 day conference on biotechnology, 14th feb, 2019.
• Application of small RNA technologies for crop improvement. Workshop on genome editing technologies. GKVK-Bangalore. March 12th, 2020.
• Small RNA and epigenetics: Dark matter of genomes? Conference on Genetics and Genomics; National; IUCGGT, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala; Lead Speaker; Trivandrum; March, 2021.
• miRNA-mediated regulation of crop traits.  Retirement Symposium honoring Prof. G.M. Nair; National; IUCGGT, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala; Lead Speaker; Trivandrum;  March, 2021.
• Biogenesis and functions of small RNAs in plants. Weekly Seminar Series; National; RCB-Delhi; Lead Speaker; Delhi; Online; October, 2020.
• Sciencesetu talk-The past, present and future of plant agriculture. inStem Science Setu forum. 8th October, 2021.
• Invited plenary talk during Advances in Industrial Biotechnology conference (ABT2022).  Small RNAs and Epigenetics: Mechanisms and methods to improve crops. Feb 4th, 2022. University of Kerala.
• Invited talk in a Faculty Development Program on Genome Engineering and Technology, Central University, Kasargod.  “Small RNAs and Epigenetics: mechanisms and tools to improve crops”. 21st January, 2022.
• Popular Science talk, ‘Evolving S&T trends in Indian agriculture’. Regional Science Centre, Gulbarga. February 27^th, 2022.
• Plenary Talk during International genome Biology Conference, ‘Small RNA-mediated regulation of crop phenotypes’, Madurai Kamaraj University. March 2^nd, 2022.
• Weekend chat with a scientists. ‘The Plant Perspective’. https://youtu.be/gamgHdllsq0 Organized by NCBS Bugbears team. 12th March 2022.
• Plenary Talk ‘Biogenesis and functions of small silencing RNAs in plants’ during Faculty Development Program. Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore. March 29^th, 2022.
• How to make food: the plant perspective, Munnar Catering college, Suryanelli, May 6^th 2022 (offline).
• An introduction to small RNA mediated processes in plants, Royal Munnar college, Munnar, Kerala, May 7^th 2022 (offline).
• Epigenetic and small RNA-mediated processes in crop plants, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, May 4^st 2022 (offline).
• Genetics and epigenetics of crop domestication, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology Vigyan Utsav: Basic Science and Atmanirbhar Bharat, June 7^th 2022 (online).
• Invited research talk titled ‘Epigenetic and small RNA-mediated processes in crop plants’. Mangalore University, Applied Botany department. August 19^th, 2022.
• Popular talk titled ‘Stories of Plants and Culture’, as a part of the ‘Seeds of Culture’ exhibition organized by the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum, Bangalore for students from 9 different schools. Sep 3^rd, 2022.
• Invited plenary talk on ‘Plant genetic engineering and genome editing’, held at Central University, Kasargod, Kerala, on 28th October, 2022, Talk title: ‘Epigenetic and small RNA mediated processes in plants’.
• Delivered a talk on ’Recent advances in plant biology’, Workshop for PU teachers organized by KSTA, Karnataka. 11th Oct, 2022.
• Delivered a talk (Biogenesis and functions of small silencing RNAs) at REVA University, Bangalore, 16th December, 2022.
• Chief Guest’s lecture titled ‘Molecular mechanisms to counter glycation-mediated macromolecular damage in plants’, National Science day, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Centre, CIMAP-Bangalore, February 28th, 2023.
• Guest lecture during Science day titled ‘Molecular mechanisms to counter glycation-mediated macromolecular damage in plants’ at the Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research, Bangalore, March 9^th 2023.
• Lecture titled ‘Molecular mechanisms to counter glycation-mediated macromolecular damage in plants’ at the IIT-Guwahati, March 28th 2023.
• Delivered a lecture ‘Research trends in Plant Biology’ at Canara High School and College, Mangalore, 19^th June 2023.
• Delivered a talk titled ’The Plant Perspective’ at SDM College, Ujire, Karnataka. 19^th June 2023.
• Delivered a talk titled’ Epigenetic and small RNA-mediated process in crop plants’, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana. June 28^th, 2023.
• Invited Plenary talk titled 'Insights into mechanism of epigenetic and small RNA-mediated processes' at the ‘International Conference on Molecular Biology’, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya, 30th June, 2023
• Invited talk titled ' Epigenetic and small RNA-mediated processes in crop plants ', during a refresher course ‘Omics and systems biology’, Department of Biotechnology, GKVK-Bangalore, 22nd July, 2023.
• Delivered a talk on ‘Insights into mechanism of epigenetic and small RNA-mediated processes’, College of Agriculture, Hassan, Karnataka, 25^th July 2023.
• Delivered a talk titled ‘The Plant Perspective’ during ‘One Week One Lab” event, CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi. 21^th September 2023.
• Delivered a keynote address on ‘Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics’ during ‘National Conference on Recent Trends on Biological Sciences’ Applied Zoology department, Mangalore University. 9^th November, 2023.
• Delivered a science talk in Kannada ‘Sasyada Drishtikona’ for high school students. Resurrection School, Indiranagar, Bangalore. 10^th November, 2023.
• Delivered a talk for students and scientists at College of Forestry, Ponnampet on ‘Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics’. November 6^th, 2023.
• Delivered a talk titled ‘Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics’ at Hemagangotri, Hassan University, on 8^th December 2023.
• Delivered a talk titled ‘Plant Small RNAs and Epigenetics’ on the 4^th and 5^th January 2024 at the National Seminar on Advancements in Plant Sciences, at Department of Botany, St. Berchmanns College, Changanassery, Kerala and participated as a Resource person.
• Delivered a talk titled ‘The Plant Perspective’ to high school students, Kendriya Vidhyalaya, Jalahalli, Bangalore. Jan 30^th, 2024.
• Delivered a talk titled ‘Molecular mechanism of epigenetic inheritance in plants’ during a refresher course titled ‘Phytoengineering’, Jain University, Bangalore 26^th Feb, 202
• Delivered Karnataka State Science and Technology Science day lecture titled ‘The Plant perspective: Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics’ KSTA, Bangalore. February 28^th, 2024
• Delivered a talk during the ‘16^th Refresher Course for faculty, UGC-HRDC, Mysore University’ titled- ‘Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics’ Mysore University. March 4th, 2024.
• Invited talk on “Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics”, Agricultural College, Karekere, Hassan. April 2^nd, 2024.
• Delivered a talk on “Epigenetic and small RNA-mediated processed in crop plants”, SDM Post Graduate Centre, Ujire, April 18^th, 2024.
• Invited talk on “Epigenetic and small RNA-medicated processed in crop plants”, AVK College, Hassan, 03^rd May, 2024.
• Outreach talk on “Modern agriculture and technological innovations”, Govt PU College, Channarayapatna, 23^rd May, 2024.
• Invited talk on “Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics”, Sri Sri University, Odisha. July 19th, 2024.
• Invited speaker during New Phytologist workshop organized by the New Phytologist Foundation, UK. Talk title: Histone variants at the nexus of transcriptional regulation and epigenetics. Bangalore. 17^th to 19^th October 2024.
• Invited talk at Dayanand Sagar University, Bangalore. Talk title: Harnessing small RNA and epigenetic-mediated processes to improve crops. Bangalore, November 8th, 2024.
• Invited talk during a refresher course, S. Nijalingappa College, Bangalore. Talk title: Recent advances in plant biology research. Bangalore, November 12th 2024.
• Invited talk at Hassan University, Talk title: Insights into the plant mechanisms involving small RNAs and epigenetics. Hassan, November 13th 2024.
• Invited talk at the department of genetics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Talk title: Deployment of processes mediated by small RNAs and epigenetics to improve crops. Dharwad, November 15th 2024.
• Invited talk titled ‘Regulation of genomic imprinting and rice endosperm development’ for UG and PG students of Agricultural College, Karekere, Karnataka. November 28^th, 2024.
• Two lectures during a Faculty development program organized by Mysore University. Talk titles: A. Biogenesis and functions of small silencing RNAs and epigenetics. B. Deployment of processed mediated by sRNAs and epigenetics to improve crops. Mysore University, November 29th and 30th, 2024.
• Invited outreach talk on ‘Scientific career is an attractive career choice’. Govt. PU College, Yadiyur, 19^th Dec, 2024.
• Invited talk titled ‘Epigenetic regulation of development and stress responses in plants’ at School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. 24^th January, 2025.
• Invited talk titled ‘Epigenetic regulation of development and stress responses in plants’ at Garden City University, Bangalore. 5^th Feb, 2025.
• Invited talk in Farmers meet titled ‘The past, present and future of Indian Agriculture’ Priyadarshini College, Holenarsipura. 15^th Feb 2025.
• GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, Plenary talk during a conference (Research Trends in Therapeutic Applications of Bioactive Compounds) titled 'Insights into the mechanisms that mediate secondary metabolite production in plants'. Feb 20th 2025.
• Invited talk during a faculty refresher course titled 'Insights into the mechanisms that mediate epigenetic changes'. Pondicherry University, Feb 24th 2025.
• Invited talk during a Refresher Course on Crop Improvement: From Breeding to Genome Editing titled 'Epigenetic regulation of development and stress responses'. Agri Biotech Foundation, Hyderabad, 7th March 2025.
• Plenary Talk during a National Conference 'Recent Trends and Approaches in Biotechnology' titled 'Epigenetic processes mediating development and stress responses in plants', St Joseph's University Bangalore, March 28th 2025.
• Invited talk for MSc students of Mysore University on 'Molecular Techniques in Plant Biology', Mysore University, March 28th, 2025.
• Invited talk titled ‘Epigenetic regulation of plant development and stress responses’ at CSIR IHBT, Palampur. 28^th April 2025.
• Invited talk titled ‘Epigenetic regulation of plant development and stress responses’ at IIT Mandi,1st May 2025.
• Invited talk during Integrated OMICs workshop, at NCBS Bangalore. Title- Epigenetic regulation of plant development and stress responses. 14th July 2025.
• Invited talk titled 'Applications of small RNA-mediated processes for bio engineering' during a faculty development program titled 'Innovations in Bio and Chemical technologies for energy and environment' at Dayanand Sagar University. Bangalore. 25th July 2025.
• Invited talk titled ‘Insights into the mechanisms that mediate secondary metabolite production in plants’ at Jain University, Bangalore, August 14^th 2025.
• Invited outreach talk on ‘Recent advances in plant biology research’, at Government Science College, Hassan. Sep 3^rd, 2025.

• Invited talk at Tumkur University on ‘Recent advances in plant biology research’. Tumkur University, Tumkur, September 18^th 2025.

• Invited Keynote talk on ‘How to identify and navigate through a research question’, during a one-day seminar on Research methology, JNNCE Shivamogga, October 11th, 2025.

• Invited talk during CROPGENEBREED2025 National conference. GKVK, Bangalore. Talk title: 'Epigenetic regulation of rice endosperm development’. October 31st, 2025.