Breeding design, germplasm management, data strategy, genome mapping
Rakesh Kumar
R&D Crop Lead -Melon Breeding
Davis,CA
Summary
Focused plant geneticist with a long track record of seed product development for global melon industry. Documented strengths working in diverse cultural and cross-functional team environment. Hands-on experience with emerging technologies, innovations and project-management skills.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Breeding Team Lead
Syngenta, Woodland, CA
08.2017 - Current
- Leading global melon breeding activities at Syngenta
- Executing R&D strategy to deliver innovative products in the hands of customers
- Implement latest tools and technology in the breeding program e.g. genomic tools, database development, precision phenotyping and germplasm management
- Leading cross-functional teams to achieve breeding objectives
- Establishing global program budget and resources
Breeding Project Lead
Syngenta
06.2009 - Current
Executing R&D strategy for North America melon breeding program to develop commercial cultivars for North America, Central America and other synergistic markets. Managing and communicating program budget and resources.
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
04.2006 - 06.2009
Research Associate
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
08.2005 - 11.2005
Education
Ph.D. - Plant Breeding And Genetics
North Carolina State University
Raleigh06.2009
Master of Science - Plant Breeding And Genetics
University of Agricultural Sciences
Bangalore12.2003
Bachelor of Science - Horticultural Science
Dr. YSP University of Horticulture And Forestry
Solan, India07.2001
Skills
Customer focus
Team building and motivation
People skill development and empowerment
Strategy creation and implementation
Program/project management
Conflict management
Software
MS Office
SAS, R -Basic certification
Mac and Windows operating systems
Certification
Dynamic New Approaches to Leadership and Management
Publications
Kumar, R. and T. C. Wehner. 2013. Implications of mating behavior in watermelon breeding. HortScience 48(8):960-964.
Interests
Graduate Student Professional Development award in workshop conducted at Chapel Hill, NC (October 8th-10th, 2008)
Recipient of prestigious Junior Research Fellowshipawarded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India for Master studies
Awarded Certificate of Honor in recognition of scoring high grade in my Bachelor degree
University Merit Scholarship during undergraduate degree, 1998
Granted US permanent residency under Outstanding Researcher (EB1B) category
Fruit Logistica Silver Innovation Award, Berlin, Germany 2023
Seed World Most Innovative Product, Seed World, United States, 2022
Patents
Trait patent
- Novel type of long shelf-life melon plants. Patent No: US 12,268,144. Issued : April 8, 2025
Utility/variety patent
- MELON CULTIVARS ME466, ME467, ME468, ME469, ME470 AND ME480. Patent No: US US11310984. Issued: April 26, 2022.
- Melon cultivars ME296, ME297, ME298 and ME299. US 9603320. Issued: March 28, 2017.
- Melon cultivars ME346, ME357, ME348, ME351 and ME356. US Patent 9,596,813. Issued: March 21, 2017.
- Inbred melon lines ME007 and ME009. US Patent 8,878,013. Issued: Jan 24, 2014.
- Melons. US Patent 8,618,361: Issued Dec 31, 2013.
Timeline
Career Development Program ( Kincentric Group)
12-2021
Developing Presence and Presentations (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
10-2020
Executive Coaching (Thompson Consulting Group)
06-2018
3PM Academy:Leadership Skills for Project Managers
10-2017
Breeding Team Lead
Syngenta, Woodland, CA
08.2017 - Current
Dynamic New Approaches to Leadership and Management
10-2011
Breeding Project Lead
Syngenta
06.2009 - Current
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
04.2006 - 06.2009
Research Associate
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
08.2005 - 11.2005
Ph.D. - Plant Breeding And Genetics
North Carolina State University
Master of Science - Plant Breeding And Genetics
University of Agricultural Sciences
Bachelor of Science - Horticultural Science
Dr. YSP University of Horticulture And Forestry
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