Learn more about PlantInnov, our mission and expertise.
To empower organizations and individuals to unlock the full potential of photosynthetic production systems — harnessing microalgae and plants.
Microalgae cultivation
Biofuel & bioproduct scale-up
Photosynthesis R&D
Controlled environment systems
Dr. Sridharan Govindachary is a globally recognized expert in microalgae, photosynthesis, and plant-based innovation. Below you may find an overview of his career journey.
Sridharan’s early career, spanning from 1983 to 1995, was dedicated to exploring the use of microalgae to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity. He worked on cultivating microalgae-based biofertilizers, pioneering approaches to improve plant growth while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This phase laid the foundation for his understanding of how photosynthetic organisms can contribute to sustainable agriculture.
Between 1995 and 2000, Sridharan cultivated microalgae as live feed in aquaculture systems, developing reliable production methods to support the nutritional needs of aquatic species. During the same period, he also worked on farming microalgae for the production of bioactive compounds — identifying and cultivating microalgal strains capable of producing high-value ingredients for the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. His work during this time helped advance microalgae as a source of both aquatic animal feed and ingredients for cosmetology.
Parallel to his passion with microalgae, Sridharan conducted extensive research from 2000 to 2010 on plant photosynthesis and its response to abiotic stress. This body of work deepened scientific understanding of how plants analogous to microalgae adapt to challenging environmental conditions — insights that continue to inform strategies for improving crop resilience and productivity in the face of climate variability and resource limitations.
From 2010 to 2012, Sridharan was involved in significant research and development projects in Northern Ireland, focusing on screening and cultivating microalgae for biofuel production. His work contributed to evaluating strains, optimizing growth systems, and assessing the feasibility of microalgae as a renewable energy source — addressing both technical challenges and sustainability considerations in biofuel development.
In the period from 2012 to 2019, in a leadership role, Sridharan expanded his focus to scaling microalgae farming for multiple applications — including biofuels, nutraceuticals, and biomaterials which cannot be synthesized chemically. He worked on developing integrated production systems that could deliver diverse products from microalgae biomass, promoting both economic viability and environmental benefits. His efforts during these years underscored the versatility of microalgae as a sustainable resource for a variety of industries. He led large teams of scientists in large petrochemical conglomerates for multiple applications.
Through consulting and training, he empowers organizations to harness sustainable photosynthetic production. He has advanced production systems using artificial lighting, precision agriculture, and AI tools to optimize photosynthesis, resilience, and yields.
Sri pionieering microalgae research - Microalgae farming in early 1990s.
2019–Now — PlantInnov
2016–2019 — Reliance Industries
2012–2016 — Saudi Arabian Basic Industries (SABIC)
2010–2012 — Queen’s University
2000–2009 — Universite Du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres (UQTR)
1995–1999 — ABL Biotech
1993–1994 — Desert Research Institute
1990–1992 — University of Madras