Prameela Vanambathina

Experienced investment program manager in agricultural research, development, and extension activities to increase economic, social, and environmental benefits to Australian growers and industry. Experienced in Research & Development with specialisation in genetic, plantbreeding, biotechnology, microbiology, and biochemistry. Successfully contracted and managed various research projects delivering resources for crop development and yield enhancement, molecular markers, and tools to be deployed by the Australian breeding companies. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders and contribute for designing organisational strategic priorities to align with national strategic priorities. Support in developing and delivering RD&E strategic plan.

• EMPLOYMENT-1, Investment manager, Grains Research & Development Corporation, Manage wheat portfolio - Genetic Technologies to develop and implement R&D investments that drive improvement in the rate and quantum of genetic gain delivered by Australian cereal programs., Build productive relationships within and cross functional teams in GRDC, R&D partners, Australian breeding companies, consultants, and service providers., Technical assessment of milestone outputs to ensure R&D partners, consultants and service providers are delivering against contract schedules., Propose ideas for guiding for new investments that are innovative and have global partnerships to deliver outputs that can benefit grains industry., Manage wheat pre-breeding MTA reporting processes as to allow impact of current and previous investment to be assessed and maximise impact of an investment for growers., Successfully completed various research gap analysis targeting biotic, abiotic and nutritional aspects of wheat and identified avenues that can befit the industry and organisation on the whole., Actively manage a portfolio of research investments reviewing and approving the technical milestones, supporting R&D partners with required variations, and opportunities related to these projects to ensure outputs are delivered as contracted and that projects are completed within set budget guidelines., Excellent in preparing Investment analysis, proposal and procurement plans that supports GT-Wheat portfolio., "Ex-post analysis" of GT wheat investment portfolio to determine the impact of GRDC investments in this space by sorting out the MTAs, annual MTA reporting analysis and advising the changes to streamline MTA reporting more effectively., Supported other departments including GT team as required by providing support in evaluation of tender applications to make sure the optimal investment outcomes are delivered for growers., Proactively engage with diverse stakeholders across the public and private sectors, including commercial and not-for-profit organisations, by providing recommendation and support letters to the organisations to deliver optimal investment outcomes to the industry.
• EMPLOYMENT-2, Research Assistant, The University of Queensland, Planning and prioritising research-related activities in glasshouse and field, Conducting efficacy studied such as insect resistance., Whole genome-wide association studies (WGAS) to identify the potential markers for resistance., Successful in growing, maintaining and phenotyping the genotypes in contained and field conditions., Efficient in conducting insect screening experiments in controlled environments., Experienced in media preparation and insect rearing., Extraction of phenolic compounds from various plant materials analysed and standardised the UPLC analysis protocol for pigeonpea flavonoids., Excellent in sampling leaf material and DNA extraction for next gene sequencing, Highly potential in analysing and identifying the potential agronomic traits using the Whole genome-wide association studies (WGAS) and DArT analysis.
• EMPLOYMENT-3, Research Assistant, Syngenta India, Planning & organising day-to-day research activities related to research in lab and glasshouse environments., Prioritising research activities and resolving procedural problems as appropriate to the timely completion of research objectives., Collaborating with people in multi-country platforms to coordinate experiments and data analysis., Genetically modified rice breeding and trialling., Excellent record of managing project on GM rice development (Herbicide tolerant and Insect resistant traits), with complete accountability to produce plant prototypes with resistance trait., Nursery Preparation, Transplantation, and plant maintenance, crossing and screening progenies for trait potential in contained glasshouse environment., Developing SOPs on glasshouse activities and laboratory procedure with the accountability of monitoring biosafety in glasshouse., Trait (gene of interest) efficacy trials in contained environment., Training the employees and visitors who work and visit the GH, Ensured timely preparation, analysis & maintenance of data, including preparation of reports and uploading of data in paper & electronic versions., Besides the GM rice project, I also have lead Grain quality analysis of rice, sorghum, sunflower and pearmillet.

• Certificate of Merit (2001 - 2002)
• Certificate for Best Student (2002 - 2003)
• Certificate in Bioinformatics Methods for Analysis Biocomputing (2009)
• Semi-finalist FAME Lab 2021 Queensland.
• Participated in 3 MT, University of Queensland 2018,2021.

Australian Citizen

• CERTIFICATE IN BASIC FIRE SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
• CERTIFICATE IN BASIC LIFE SUPPORT & FIRST AID SKILLS

• STRATEGIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
• STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
• STAFF TRAINING
• DATA MANAGEMENT
• WH SAFETY
• MTA STANDARDISATION
• SOFTWARE
• QIAGEN CLC
• R STUDIO
• GENSTAT
• SPSS AND
• MICROSOFT OFFICE

• REF #1, Justine Morgan, Contract Administrator, Genetic Technologies, Grains Research and Development Corporation, +61 419228429, justine.morgan@grdc.com.au
• REF #2, Pip Wilson, Senior Manager- Wheat- Genetic Technologies, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Grains Research and Development Corporation, +61 4 4877 8488, pip.wilson@grdc.com.au