Prof Rattan Yadav

PhD

Dr Rattan Yadav is a professor of plant genetics and holds a personal chair at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) of the Aberystwyth University. An elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW), he received his DPhil degree from the University of Sussex and subsequently undertook post-doctoral research at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Philippines before coming to Aberystwyth in 1996. 

Professor Yadav is an internationally recognised leader in crop genetics, whose research harnesses naturally occurring genetic variation in crops germplasm to deliver public-good outcomes. His work addresses major global challenges in sustainable agriculture, food security, nutrition, and human health, and underpins the development of resilient, high-performing crop varieties that support farmers, strengthen food systems, and benefit consumers and the environment worldwide.

He leads and contributes to major international collaborations with academic partners, industry, and intergovernmental organisations, translating fundamental research into real-world solutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. His team has developed advanced genetic and genomic resources and breeding technologies that underpin crop varieties with improved productivity, enhanced nutritional quality, greater environmental resilience, and health benefits at global scale.

Professor Yadav has published over 155 research articles and secured more than £12 million in competitive research funding. He sits on expert panels for leading UK and international grant-awarding agencies, including BBSRC, UKRI, DFID, Innovate UK, the British Council, the European Commission, and CGIAR. He has served as an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE since 2014. He was a panel member of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) Sub-panel 6 – Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences – for REF 2021, the UK’s national assessment of research excellence, and has been reappointed to serve again for REF 2029.