Sonali Koundal
Richmond,Australia
Summary
Dedicated Agriculturist and plant biochemistry professional with expertise in nutrient and field management of crops, molecular biology, protein biochemistry of enzymes, crop physiology, and biochemical analysis of enzyme response in plants and sustainable farming practices. Led strategic planning and implementation of research projects funded by CRC Future Food Systems and Qatar National Research Fund. Experienced communications and stakeholder engagement expert with a strong background in science communication, cross-cultural collaboration, and public outreach. Proven skill in converting intricate research into easy-to-understand insights, managing projects, report writings and establishing connections across academia, industry, and government to promote collaboration and influence.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Research Assistant
Western Sydney University
Richmond
01.2026 - Current
- Supports research activities by assisting with laboratory, greenhouse, and field-based experiments, data collection,
Teaching Assistant & Practical Demonstrator
Western Sydney University
Penrith, Australia
09.2022 - Current
- Assisted and mentored Master's by research students in horticulture, facilitating practical learning and research methodology.
- Demonstrated advanced laboratory techniques and data analysis methods relevant to plant physiology and biochemistry.
Doctoral Research
Western Sydney University
Penrith, Australia
09.2022 - 01.2025
- Investigated physiological, multi-omics and molecular responses of greenhouse cucumbers to optimized potassium fertigation strategies.
- Conducted comprehensive analysis of nutrient use efficiency, crop productivity, energy, and cost-benefit parameters for sustainable agriculture.
- Managed controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems, collected agronomic data, and performed advanced statistical and omics data interpretation.
- Funded by CRC Future Food Systems, Australia, and Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF).
- National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre
Master's Research
Punjab Agricultural University
Ludhiana, India
08.2019 - 09.2021
- Evaluated the impact of carbon and nitrogen metabolism on grain filling in quinoa.
- Analyzed biomass partitioning and enzyme patterns to elucidate source-sink relationships during grain development.
Education
Ph.D. - Agricultural Sciences/Horticulture
Western Sydney University
Penrith, NSW, Australia09-2025
Integrated M.Sc. Biochemistry (Hons.) -
Punjab Agricultural University
Ludhiana, India09.2021
B.Sc. Biochemistry (Hons.) -
Punjab Agricultural University
Ludhiana, India07.2019
Skills
Qualitative Skills
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Trouble shooting, investigation, diagnosis
- Effective team player
- Collaborative team player who can also work effectively on their own
- Problem solving and continuous improvement
- Proven ability to coordinate complex projects, events, and logistics; prepare high-quality reports and briefing notes;
Core Skills
- Literature review
- Competitive research
- Excellent time management
- Planning tasks and taking personal ownership
- Stakeholder involvement
- Coordination with partners from academia, government, and industry
- Communication skills
- Public speaking, Conference talks, creating media content, producing newsletters, and drafting press releases
- Project Oversight
- Organizing, documenting, ensuring funding compliance, and reporting
- Cross-Cultural Awareness
- Participation in multicultural research and collaborative initiatives
Research Skills
- Data Analysis
- R Studio, CPCS1, SPSS, GraphPad Prism, MS-Dial, Metaboanalyst, MEGA (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis), greenhouse data management and agronomic analysis, PhyML
- Agronomical skills
- Field trials and crop evaluation, Agronomic performance assessment and data interpretation, Variety support and stakeholder engagement
- Biochemical Techniques
- UV-Visible Spectrophotometry, Protein Biochemistry, enzyme analysis
- Molecular Biology
- 2-D Gel Electrophoresis, qPCR, RNA Sequencing, Transcriptomics
- Analytical Techniques
- Metabolomics (LC-MS Omics Data Interpretation), Confocal Microscopy, Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Systems Monitoring & Data Analysis
- Plant Physiology and Greenhouse Management
- Nutrient Management, Crop protection and Crop Physiology, Post harvest management of crops, Root Scanners/Imaging Systems, Hydroponic & Soilless Cultivation Techniques
Certification
- Forklift License (EWPA Yellow Card)
- PC2 Lab Certification
Conferences
- Awarded as Selected Speaker (Oral Presentation), International Society for Horticulture Sciences (ISHS) symposium on Growing Media, Compost Utilization and Substrate Analysis for Soilless Cultivation (2025).
- Selected Speaker (Oral Presentation) Protected Cropping Australia Conference (2025)
- Poster Presentation, Future Food Summit by Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), 2025
- Speaker (Oral Presentation), Australian Society of Plant Scientists Conference, 2024
- Selected Speaker (Oral Presentation), International Plant Molecular Biology pitch delivery on sustainable fertigation delivery management for improved quality and yield of vegetables at Innovate Western Sydney organised by NSW Govt industry and Launch Pad., 2024
- Attendee, Crawford Fund's Annual Conference
Publications
- Improved Crop Performance and Resource Use Efficiency of Greenhouse Cucumbers through Optimized Potassium Fertigation Strategies, Sonali, et al., 2025, Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, Manuscript Submitted
- Optimised fertigation improves yield and quality of cucumbers for resource efficiency and economic return in high-tech greenhouses, Sonali, et al., 2025, Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.101699
- Multi-omics and physiological analysis reveal crosstalk between aphid resistance and nitrogen fertilizer utilization in wheat, Liu, J., Sonali, et al., 2024, Plant, Cell & Environment, https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.15282
- Potassium transport and use efficiency for sustainable fertigation in protected cropping, Sonali, et al., 2023, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment, https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.12065
- Exploring the role of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in quinoa, Sonali, et al., 2023, Plant Growth Regulation, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-023-01099-6
- Insights into carbon and nitrogen metabolism during vegetative phase in quinoa, Sonali, et al., 2022, Protoplasma, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-022-01736-3
Awards
- Industry Development and Innovation Program Scholarship (Graduate Research School), 2025
- Featured Researcher, National Science Week, 2025
- Postgraduate IBMP Travel Award - Australian Society of Plant Scientists, 2024
- Runner-up, Shark Tank 90-second Pitch (CRC Future Food Systems), 2024
- HDR Student Representative, Research and HDR Committee, School of Science, WSU, 11/23, 05/24
- Best Talk Award, HIE Research Symposium, 2023
- Master's Thesis registered at Indian Council of Agricultural Research for novelty in agricultural science, 2023
- Best Research Seminar at University Level, 2021
References
Dr. Sindhu Sheoran
Senior Research Program Coordinator, Western Sydney University
s.sheoran@westernsydney.edu.au
Associate Professor Robert Sharwood
Western Sydney University
R.Sharwood@westernsydney.edu.au
Adjunct Associate Professor Samsul Huda
Western Sydney University
S.Huda@westernsydney.edu.au
Professor Vijay Jayasena
Western Sydney University
V.Jayasena@westernsydney.edu.au
Professor Zhonghua Chen
University of Adelaide
zhong-hua.chen@adelaide.edu.au
Timeline
Research Assistant
Western Sydney University
01.2026 - Current
Teaching Assistant & Practical Demonstrator
Western Sydney University
09.2022 - Current
Doctoral Research
Western Sydney University
09.2022 - 01.2025
Master's Research
Punjab Agricultural University
08.2019 - 09.2021
Ph.D. - Agricultural Sciences/Horticulture
Western Sydney University
Integrated M.Sc. Biochemistry (Hons.) -
Punjab Agricultural University
B.Sc. Biochemistry (Hons.) -
Punjab Agricultural University