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Isha Mittal is a UNT graduate student studying biochemistry and molecular biology. During her time at UNT, she has been gaining in-depth training to understand plant–pathogen interactions in the lab of her mentor Dr. Jyoti Shah. 

“I chose UNT for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and the opportunity to work with real-world biological challenges, and the collaborative research environment of the BioDiscovery Institute here played a major role in my decision,” said Isha, who completed her B.S. and M.S. in botany in India before moving to Texas. “During my time here, the mentorship, access to diverse research tools, and exposure to national and international-level scientific communities have shaped my growth.” 

Isha studies Fusarium head blight (FHB), a fungal disease that infects wheat during flowering and can significantly reduce grain quality and yield. In the US alone, the disease causes estimated losses ranging from $300 million to $1 billion annually and impact food and animal feed supplies. Her research focuses on investigating the molecular and cellular changes that occur inside the wheat plant during fungal infection. She studies specific plant signaling molecules and genes that may make wheat more susceptible to the fungus. She said she is grateful for the mentorship she has received at UNT that has helped hone her skills as a scientist. 

“Dr. Shah’s guidance has been instrumental in shaping my scientific thinking, experimental design, and overall professional development. His kindness and mentorship have helped me grow as an individual, an independent researcher, and a science communicator,” said Isha. “Dr. Anil Girija has also played a key role in training me in molecular biology techniques and experimental workflows; I have benefited from the support and perspectives of my lab members, collaborators, and committee members throughout my graduate studies.” 

Isha is drawn to projects that can be translated into real-world agricultural outcomes. 

“Seeing how fundamental research can contribute to food security inspired me to pursue molecular biology,” she said. “My work aims to identify molecular pathways that can be targeted to improve disease resistance in crops such as wheat. Ultimately, I hope my research contributes to developing crops with improved resilience to fungal diseases and reduced yield losses.” 

Isha was recently celebrated in the biology department newsletter for receiving third place for a presentation of her research at the 2025 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum (NFHB) held in Colorado. 

"I have been attending the NFHB for the past four years, where I have had the opportunity to engage with the research community, share progress on my work, and learn about ongoing developments in the field,” said Isha, who attended the 25th Conference of the International Plant Growth Substance Association (IPGSA) and received a second place prize at the BDI–AERI Research Expo last year as well. As a graduate student, Isha has also been the recipient of travel and research awards from the UNT College of Science, BioDiscovery Institute, and Toulouse Graduate School. 

She has contributed to organizing and participating in academic events (including BDI’s Research Expos) and served as a Joint Secretary of the UNT India Students Association for a year, where she helped support student engagement, cultural events, and community-building activities on campus. 

“My next goal is to carry forward the resilience and problem-solving skills I have developed during my Ph.D. into the next phase of my career,” said Isha. “I hope to remain in environments that value science, mentorship, and research with real-world relevance.”