Rajesh JEEWON

Publications:

• Jeewon R, Liew ECY & Hyde KD. (2002). Phylogenetic relationships of Pestalotiopsis and allied genera inferred from ribosomal DNA sequences and morphological characters. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 25: 378-392.
• Jeewon R, Liew ECY, Simpson, JA, Hodgkiss, IJ & Hyde KD (2003). Phylogenetic significance of morphological characters in the taxonomy of Pestalotiopsis species. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 27: 372-383.
• Jeewon, R, Cai L, Zhang K & Hyde KD (2003). Dyrithiopsis lakefuxianensis gen et sp. nov. from Fuxian Lake, Yunnan, China and notes on the taxonomic confusion surrounding Dyrithium. Mycologia 95: 911-920.
• Jeewon R, Liew ECY & Hyde KD (2003). Molecular systematics of the Amphisphaeriaceae based on cladistic analyses of partial LSU rDNA sequences. Fungal Biology 107: 1392-1402.
• Jeewon R, Liew, ECY & Hyde KD (2004). Phylogenetic evaluation of species nomenclature of Pestalotiopsis in relation to host association. Fungal Diversity 17: 39-55
• Jeewon R, Yeung QSY, & Hyde KD (2009). Novel phylogenetic group within Thozetella (Chaetosphaeriaceae): a new taxon based on morphology and DNA sequence analyses. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 55:680-7.
• Jeewon R, Ittoo J, Mahadeb D, Jaufeerally-Fakim Y, Wang Hong Kai, Liu Ai-Rong.2013. DNA based identification and phylogenetic characterisation of endophytic and saprobic fungi from Antidesma madagascariense, a medicinal plant in Mauritius. Journal of Mycology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/781914
• Jeewon R and Hyde KD. 2016. Establishing species boundaries and new taxa among fungi:recommendations to resolve taxonomic ambiguities. Mycosphere 7 (11), 1669–1677.
• Jeewon R, Wanasinghe DN, Rampadaruth S, Puchooa D, Zhou Li-Gang, Liu Ai-Rong, Wang Hong-Kai 2017 –Nomenclatural and identification pitfalls of endophytic mycota based on DNA sequence analyses of ribosomal and protein genes phylogenetic markers: A taxonomic dead end? Mycosphere 8(10), 1802–1817, Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/8/10/7
• Jeewon et al. 2018.Hidden mycota of pine needles: Molecular signatures from PCR-DGGE and Ribosomal DNA phylogenetic characterization of novel phylotypes. Scientific Reports https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36573-z
• Jeewon R & Hyde KD (2007). Diversity and detection of Fungi from environmental samples: Traditional versus Molecular approaches. In (Eds A. Varma & R, Oelmuller) Advanced Techniques in Soil Microbiology (pp 1-11). Soil Biology Series. Springer-Verlag Press. [Number of citations= 1].
• Jeewon R, Subramanya & Hyde KD (2008). Microorganisms as potential biotechnological and biocontrol agents. In “Text Book on Molecular Biotechnology (Basics, Applications and Modern Methods)”.
• Jeewon R. et al. (2019) Pharmaceutical Potential of Marine Fungal Endophytes. In: Jha S. (eds) Endophytes and Secondary Metabolites. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham.

Experiences at the University

One of the most wonderful time in my life, especially at the University of Hong Kong, University of Portsmouth (UK),University of Hong Kong and Mae Fah Luang University.
Learned so many things that enhance my personality and my perspectives on science.
Opportunity to work and interact with people of different backgrounds.
The regular seminars/workshops  we attended were fruitful and we learned a lot from them and these are what nurtured us in very good academics as well as future employees.
Learning new language and integrate in a new cultural environment was rewarding.
The studies were challenging but we had great support from our advisors.

Work experience and present expertise since leaving the University.

My work experience has been challenging at first in the Universities I worked. However, with what I have learned, it was quite easy for me to integrate very well. With some time, we become even very good managers and leaders.
Prof Hyde gave me the opportunity to handle projects/grants, teach undergraduate programmes, manage the molecular biology lab and supervise Phd students.The experience I gained was immeasurable and really valuable.

Yes, am still working as an Academic at the University and am open to collaboration with anyone interested in my field of research.

Alumni wisdom

Work Hard but “work smart” as well.
Time management is the key to success. A good plan for your studies is very important.
Set up high standards and strive for them. Dont be afraid to explore novel things/ideas. I tried them during my Phd and they are quite rewarding!!..self satisfaction when you see the results being published !
Have a dairy/log book with all records (I still have mine and I can still check all the results, the dates when i got them, what went wrong etc…), write down everything you do, read a lot about your project (you should be far better than your supervisor in what you are doing!!), drop down ideas especially when they pop up in your mind at night and devise ways to link them to your project.
Have productive meetings with your supervisor, discuss your ideas (but come up with proper scientific objectives and plan work that are feasible), devise small pieces of work that can be linked to each other and finally this can culminate in a good Phd study). The motto is to get really engaged.
Be honest to yourself and the results. Dont FAKE!! I got results that were totally beyond my expectations but these turn out to be those that exciting ones…so learn how to explain anomalies on scientific basis.
ALWAYS help your friends. Seek help when you need. Dont be selfish and work as a team. Never compete but collaborate with your team members. there is always plenty to do/explore.
Sometimes, your supervisor might not be happy with your progress, but never get disappointed. He is working/advising in your best interest.

Personal details

I am currently working as An associate Professor at the University of Mauritius (Full time). Have been Head of department, acting Dean and involved in teaching as well as many other academic and administrative duties.
Also supervising PhD students and serve as editors on several journals, external examiner for PhD students etc..

A great Thanks to Prof K D Hyde for shaping my career. He does much more than he can do for this students. Hats Off  to him.