Scientists

Research Achievements:

• Trait-specific reference set for terminal-heat stress tolerance in bread wheat (231 accessions) was developed using morpho-physiological characterization out of 21,822 accessions and validated at multilocation for three years. Molecularly validation using hypervariable and genome-wide microsatellite markers is under progress. 
• Multi-locus DNA bar-coding system (rbcL, matK, trnH-psbA and ITS region) was standardized and utilized for species identification and phylogenetic studies in Oryza and Luffa genera.
• Developed DNA marker technologies - RAPD, AFLP, SCAR, ITS-RFLP and ITS sequencing in mushrooms (Agaricus, Pleurotus, Lentinula and Calocybe) and medicinal plants (Hippophae salicifolia, Urtica dioca) and successfully utilized these markers for DNA fingerprinting, genetic variation analyses and phylogenetic purposes.
• DNA fingerprints were developed for button and specialty mushrooms that will serve as reference for genetic cataloguing and documentation of indigenous mushroom germplasm. This will help in legal protection of our national germplasm under IPR regimes of WTO.

 Teaching/ Research Guidance (Completed/ On-going/Current students):

• Faculty member and Research guide of Post Graduate School, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI, Deemed University), Pusa Campus, New Delhi in the Discipline of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) from 2010.
• Chairman/Co-Chairman (Major guide): 3 M.Sc. and 1 Ph.D. students of PGR discipline of P.G. School, ICAR-IARI, Pusa, New Delhi completed their degrees during 2013 - 2015.
• Member Advisory Committee: One Ph.D. student of Genetics discipline of IARI, New Delhi completed degree.
• Major Guide for 2 Ph.D. students of other Universities (1 Ph.D. student of Barkatullah Univ., Bhopal completed degree in 2007) and (1 Ph.D. student of Jiwaji University, Gwalior completed degree in 2016) in Biotechnology. 
• Guided Dissertation Work/Training of M.Sc./B.Tech students for their research project works: M.Sc.(Biotechnology): 3-6 Months Research Project = 27 students and B.Tech. / B.Sc.: 5 students completed their research work under my guidance and supervision from 1999 - 2015.  

Awards/fellowships received during academic career:

• ICAR Merit Fellowship during B.Sc. (Ag.& A.H.) at C.S. Azad Univ. of Agri. and Tech., Kanpur during 1985 - 89.
• Awarded University Silver Medal for B.Sc. (Ag. & A.H.) in 1989 at C.S. Azad Univ. of Agri.and Tech., Kanpur.
• Junior Research Fellowship during M.Sc. (Genetics) at P.G. School, IARI, New Delhi during 1990 - 1992.
• Senior Research Fellowship during Ph. D. (Genetics) at P.G. School, IARI, New Delhi during 1992 - 1996.
• Won First Prize and Rolling Shield in Inter-Divisional Quiz Competition in 1995 at IARI, New Delhi. 

 Awards/Peer recognition received during professional career:

• Young Scientist Award: Yadavindra Young Scientist Award with gold medal and cash prize was given by Mushroom Society of India in 2002 after presenting 5 years research achievements on molecular breeding in button mushroom in a National Level Competition.
• Bioved Fellowship Award - 2015 presented by Bioved Research Institute of Agriculture & Technology and Bioved Research Society, Allahabad in 2015.
• Krishi Jeevan Jyoti Award - 2015 was presented for research achievements in Molecular Genetics and training of youth in Agricultural Biotechnology by AIASA and ICAR.
• Distinguished Scientist Award 2016 by Society for Scientific and Societal Development (SSSD), Meerut, U.P.

Assignments/ Peer recognition as Chief Editor/ Secretary of professional societies:

• Editor, Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources (IJPGR) from June, 2015 till date at ICAR-NBPGR, Delhi.
• Editor-in Chief, Mushroom Research, an International Journal published by MSI, Solan from  2008 to 2010.
• Editor, Mushroom Research, an International Journal published by MSI, from 2004 - 2008.
• Secretary, Mushroom Society of India from 2009 to 2010 at ICAR-DMR (Formerly NRCM), Solan.
• Treasurer, Mushroom Society of India from April, 2001 to 2009 at ICAR-DMR (Formerly NRCM), Solan.
• Chairman, Mushroom Newsletter publishing committee from 2006 to 2008 at ICAR-DMR (Formerly NRCM), Solan.
• Member, Editorial Board of Annual Report of National Research Centre for Mushroom (NRCM) from 1996-97 to 1999-2000 and 2002-03 to 2004-05.

Expert member/Chairman in selection/promotion committees:

• External expert for the selection of Professor under CAS in the discipline of Molecular Biology/Plant Genetical Engineering in 2013 at S.K. Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan.
• Member of ICAR Committee for the assessment of Category-III in the Functional Group of Lab Technician at ICAR, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi during 2013 - 2014.
• Observer for Audit and Accounts Examination-2014 held from 7-11 July, 2014 at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi.
• Chairman for the Departmental Promotional Committee for the post of Assistant Administrative Officer held in July, 2014 at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi.