He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India and his graduate degrees from, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (M.S., Crop Science); from University of North Texas, Denton, TX ( Ph.D., Molecular Biology). His research interests are Molecular Plant Microbe/Insect Interactions. During his undergraduate studies, he learned that increasing agricultural inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, although boost crop yields in the short-term, have major detrimental effects on the environment and human health in the long-term. He strongly believes that a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying plant interactions with insect pests and pathogens holds the key to sustainable agriculture. He moved here along with his wife, Dr. Punya Nachappa, who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology. He enjoys reading, cooking, and badminton.