Aakash Chawade
Associate Professor, SLU
Aakash Chawade is a principal investigator and leads Chawade lab. He has a PhD from the Gothenburg University and after a postdoc from Lund University joined SLU and established his research group. He co-authored over 100 publications in genomics, phenomics & plant breeding research.
h-index
31
Citations
4400+
Papers
100+
About Aakash chawade
Aakash Chawade is an Associate Professor at SLU and leads the Chawade Lab, where his team integrates genetics, genomics, and phenomics to accelerate plant breeding and address global food security challenges. He has co-authored over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Previous affiliations include Gothenburg University and Lund University
Research Focus: Genomics, Phenomics & Climate-Resilient Crops
The Chawade Lab integrates genomics and phenomics to develop next-generation solutions for plant breeding, focusing on:
- Translational Innovation: Developing genomics and phenomics tools adopted by breeding programs
- Climate Adaptation: Creating solutions for drought, heat, and disease resilience in key crops
- Mentorship: Cultivating the next generation of agricultural scientists and innovators
Aakash Chawade is motivated by those moments when innovation leaps from the lab bench into farmers’ fields. When his research helps breed crops faster, or when his algorithms becomes the new industry standard. But beyond science, his greatest pride comes from watching his team members flourish.
Leadership & Mentorship in Agricultural Science
Beyond research, Aakash Chawade prioritizes mentorship, cultivating the next generation of agricultural scientists. His work is driven by a dual mission:
- Scientific Impact – Creating tools that redefine industry standards.
- Career Development – Empowering researchers to tackle global food security.
“Solving climate-driven food insecurity requires both brilliant tools and the brilliant minds to wield them.”
Key Achievements
- 100+ peer-reviewed publications in top journals.
- h-index 31 | 4400+ citations
- Founded Chawade Lab – A hub for translational plant science & career development
Visit Google Scholar for scientific publications.
Most recent publications can be found here.
Follow on LinkedIn. Visit SLU CV page.
Academic background
Associate Professor of genetics and breeding informatics (2018 – Current), SLU
Assistant Professor of genetics and breeding informatics (2015-2018), SLU
Researcher (2014-2016), Lund University
Post Doc in computational proteomics (2012-2014), Lund University
PhD in Biology (2006-2011), University of Gothenburg
Masters in Bioinformatics (2003-2005), University of Skövde
BSc in Genetics, Microbiology, Chemistry (1997-2000), Osmania University, India
CURRENT AND PAST MEMBERS
Researchers (3)
Vishnukiran Thuraga (2024-Ongoing),
Payam Delfani (2023-2024),
Firuz Odilbekov (2018-2020)
Postdocs (12)
Alexandre Aono (2024-Ongoing)
Amanda Karlstrom (2024-Ongoing)
Valentina Rosi (2024-Ongoing)
Jakob Junkers (2025)
Aditi Bhandari (2022-2024)
Vishnukiran Thuraga (2021-2024)
Johanna Åstrand, Industrial postdoc (2022-2023)
Ajit Nehe (2021-2023)
Admas Alemu (2020 – 2023)
David Sewordor (2020 – 2020)
Dhananjay Kumar (2018 -2020)
Firuz Odilbekov (2016 -2018)
Rita Armoniene (2016-2017)
PhD students (13)
As Main supervisor (4):
Fernanda Leiva (2019-2023). Awarded PhD degree in May 2023
Main supervisor: Aakash Chawade
Co-supervisor: Ramune Kuktaite
Mustafa Zakieh (2019-2023). Awarded PhD degree in June 2023
Main supervisor: Aakash Chawade
Co-supervisors: Firuz Odilbekov, Magnus Karlsson, Nidhi Pareek, Pawan Singh
Su Myat Noe (2022-Ongoing): Licentiate student
Main supervisor: Aakash Chawade
Co-supervisors: Eva Johansson, Pawan Singh
Vaishnavi Losari (2023-just started): Licentiate student
Main supervisor: Aakash Chawade
Co-supervisors: Eva Johansson, Ramesh Vetukuri
As Co-supervisor (9):
Hannah Ohm (2019-Ongoing)
Main supervisor: Per Hofvander
Co-supervisors: Aakash Chawade, Åsa Grimberg, Cecilia Hammenhag
Mohamed Mambu Luseni (2018-Ongoing)
Main supervisor: Laura Grenville-Briggs
Co-supervisor: Aakash Chawade, Ranjana Bhattacharjee, Johanna Bergman Lodi
Yuzhou Lan (2018-Ongoing)
Main supervisor: Eva Johansson
Co-supervisors: Aakash Chawade, Ramune Kuktait
Poorva Sundararajan (2021-Ongoing)
Main supervisor: Ramesh Vetukuri
Co-supervisor: Aakash Chawade
Emilia Berndtsson (2023-Ongoing)
Main supervisor: Eva Johansson
Co-supervisors: Aakash Chawade, Helena Persson Hovmalm
Sbatie Lama (2019-2023) Awarded PhD degree in 2023
Main supervisor: Ramune Kuktaite
Co-supervisors: Aakash Chawade, Pernilla Vallenback
Jakob Willfors, Lund University (2016-2019) Awarded PhD degree in 2019
Main supervisor: Fredrik Levander
Co-supervisors: Aakash Chawade, Erik Andreasson
Catja Selga, SLU (2017 – 2021) Awarded PhD degree in 2021
Main supervisor: Rodomiro Ortiz
Co-supervisors: Mariette Andersson, Aakash Chawade
Paritosh Kunwar, MNIT, India (2017-2021) Awarded PhD in 2021
Main supervisor: V. Vivekanand
Co-supervisor: Aakash Chawade
Monika Yadav, MNIT, India (2016-2020) Awarded PhD in 2020
Main supervisor: V. Vivekanand
Co-supervisor: Aakash Chawade
Master thesis supervision (13)
Siim Samuel Sepp (Master thesis student, 2021-2022), SLU, Main supervisor
Rishap Dhakal (Master thesis student, 2021-2022), SLU, Main supervisor
Marwan Alamrani (Master thesis student, 2019-20), SLU, Main supervisor
Djailey Gruijters (Erasmus exchange student, 2019), SLU, Main supervisor
Johan Lundmark (Master thesis student, 2020), SLU, Main supervisor
Jonathan Kunst (Erasmus exchange student, 2019), SLU, Main supervisor
Chiara Delvento (Master thesis student, 2019), SLU, Main supervisor
Avinash Bharti (MTech student, 2018), MNIT, India, Co-supervisor
Subodh Kumar (MTech student, 2018), MNIT, India, Co-supervisor
Alexander Koc (MSc thesis student, 2017), SLU, Main supervisor
Salvatore Caruso (Erasmus exchange student, 2016), SLU, Main supervisor
Jon Olsson (MSc thesis student, 2015), Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Main supervisor
Karin Carlsson (MSc thesis student, 2015), Dept. of Pure & Applied biochemistry, Lund University, 2014, Main supervisor