View source for Rajkumar

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Dr. Rajkumar Rathinavelu is multiple gold medalist from TNAU, specialized in Genetics and Plant Breeding by training and Genomics, computational Biology and Artificial Intelligence by practicing in UNITs, Italy, UNC, USA and ITC, India.

Raj is a uniquely placed in ITC Ltd as a duel domain leader in Plant Breeding as well as Research Analytics, working on crop improvement of various plantation species, while he also heads various digital initiatives spanning research analytics to various AI based applications.

Among his many accomplishments, he was the first to develop coffee molecular linkage maps during his post doctorate in CCMB, Hyderabad. He also has developed "CoffeeDNA" a global DNA sequence repository from University of Trieste, Italy and built a database of Medicinal and Aromatic plants of Europe and Africa, while he was in UNIDO, Vienna, Austria. Raj has led, first Coffee whole genome sequencing & annotation of Coffea robusta in IRD, France; Tomato (Cornell University, New York); Mimulus (University of North Carolina, USA); Tobacco / Eucalyptus in ITC Ltd. He has developed integrated physical and genetic map of Mimulus through various computational tools, which are widely being used by evolutionary biologists globally.

Raj is instrumental in releasing several varieties in Eucalyptus, Casuarina Corymbia and several technologies, impacting millions of farmers' life across ~50,000 hectares in India for the last 15 years. In the recent time, Raj is known for this contribution in Satellite imaging, AI based automation of various applications. He is passionate about integrating molecular genetics, predictive biology; informed breeding and Artificial intelligence, creating value through various digital platforms across ITC's business, while having a single life time KPI, "Put the smile on farmers' face".

==Professionally==
Professionally, a Prediction Biologist and Molecular Geneticist, working as a Principal Scientist in [https://www.itcportal.com/about-itc/research-and-development.aspx Life Science & Technology Centre], Bangalore for farming community by developing improved plant varieties and technologies. Worked in [https://www.ccmb.res.in CCMB], India, [https://www.unido.org UNIDO], [https://www.units.it/en UNITS], Italy and [https://www.unc.edu UNC], USA for ~12 years as Computational Biologist.

I handle wide range of projects from genome to AI based analytics solutions.

==What Else I do ?==
In addition to my profession, I keep some serious hobbies, that include,
===Photography===
In last ~25 years passionate about macro photography and recently drone based aerial photography . Obtained 2 international and few national recognitions, besides the Photography challenge Host in [http://www.dpreview.com dpreview], world’s largest photography platform for professionals. Some of my work can be seen from [http://www.foto.rajkumar.in DFoto]

===Trecking ===
As a family, we enjoy tracking and rock climbing, covered more than 40 small mountains around Bangalore; Alps in Italy; Chimney Rock in USA and few mountains in Brazil & Chile
=== Road Biking===
In the last decade, I have developed interest in Road biking, member of Decathlon group for long rides. Average biking distance is 30-35km per session at 19 - 23kmph, twice a week.
===Super Biking ===
Passion for super biking, currently rides [https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/bikes/diavel/diavel-v4 Ducati Diavel ],  [https://kawasaki-india.com/bikes/2021-ninja-650/ Ninja 650R] and [https://kawasaki-india.com/bikes/2021-z-650/ Z650], enjoys week-end rides and part of [https://www.xbhp.com/talkies/ xBHP] and active in [https://www.kawiforums.com Kawi]  group. Never had a chance to ride a inline 4 cylinder machines yet.
===Yoga ===
We all know that time is irreversible.

Only in the recent time of Yoga classes, one of the "disturbing" learning was, having the known benefits, why it was not started during the time (say, at the age of at least 25) when it is supposed to be practiced. Now the efforts are to be 10x to move needle to 1x.

The only reason why it was not started during earlier time was nothing but the "comfort zone". Having realised (very late) that I am just looking at the younger population around and encourage them to do it. So that they don't loose something that I already lost..! 

Yes. I am a Yoga practitioner

==Personally==
We live as a family in [http://idon.rajkumar.in PRG], with [http://www.viji.in Viji] (Wife); [http://www.soumi.in Soumitha] (Daughter) and [http://www.kavinpro.in Kavin] (Son) along with Mily & Alley (our Kittens), My working hours are 8am to 5pm, excluding Saturday & Sunday.
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== Hobby ==
=== Yoga ===

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=== Biking ===
Very passionate about fast riding superbikes. Machines in hand: 650R; Z650; Ducati Diavel 1200
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=== Trekking===
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