Christopher CullisProfessor & Chair, Case Western Reserve University Dr. Christopher Cullis is the Francis Hobart Herrick Professor of Biology at Case Western Reserve University, where he has been for the past 32 years. Prior to joining CWRU he spent 14 years at the John Innes Institute in Norwich. He has more than 45 years of experience in plant molecular biology and genetics, including the writing of a text book on the subject. He has identified how the flax genome responds to environmental stress by making substantial, specific, but limited changes to the genome. In addition, he has been involved in the sequencing of the flax and marama genomes. He has a prolific publication record in internationally respected journals and has frequently been an invited speaker at international conferences. In addition to his scientific achievements Dr. Cullis is an education innovator who developed and directs the MS in Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Program, whose students have been responsible for generating significant resources for the region. |
Deepak PentalProfessor & Ex Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi Dr Deepak Pental is a Professor of Genetics and the Ex Vice Chancellor at the University of Delhi. He is a noted researcher whose current research interests lie in development of transgenics and marker-assisted breeding of crops. He took charge of the post of Vice-chancellor of the University succeeding Professor Deepak Nayyar on 1 September 2005. As the VC, Pental has outlined his agenda to update the library system, work on teachers’ recruitment, increase student accommodation facilities and bring researchers working abroad to India.Pental completed his B.Sc.(Hons) and M.Sc.(Hons.) from the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh in 1971 and 1973 respectively. And subsequently he did his Ph.D. from Rutgers University, United States in 1978. Pental was a Postdoctoral and University Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham from 1978-84. He returned to India to join Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) in 1985 and in 1993 he joined the University of Delhi, South Campus as Professor of Genetics. Pental had been Director of the University of Delhi, South Campus from 2000-2005. From 2005-2010 he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University.Dr Pental’s research interests lie in breeding of mustard and cotton. He has published more than sixty research papers in the national and international peer reviewed journals and his work has led to major breakthroughs in hybrid seed production technologies. Dr Pental is a keen student of social science policy particularly related to the field of agriculture. |
Rakesh TuliJ C Bose National Fellow & Sr Research Advisor, University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Panjab University Dr Rakesh Tuli is J C Bose Fellow & Senior Research Advisor at UIET, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He was born in Hoshiarpur, India on 21 September 1953 & Educated at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, New Delhi, 1963-69; G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar 1970-76; Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Bombay 1976-92; B.Sc. 1974; M.Sc. 1976; Ph.D. 1985. Previously, he worked at many reputed organizations in different positions. Dr Tuli was Scientist, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai from 1976-92. He received Swedish (SIDA) Fellowship, University of Chicago, 1980; was NBTB Overseas Associate, 1982-86, Scientist, 1992-2006 and Director, 2006-10, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow; Executive Director, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, 2010-13. |
Rajeev VarshneyGlobal Research Program Director, Genetic Gains, ICRISAT Dr Rajeev Varshney, Global Research Program Director, Genetic Gains at ICRISAT and Winthrop Research Professor at The University of Western Australia, has 15 years research experience in international agriculture. In his dual appointment, he also served CGIAR Generation Challenge Program (hosted by CIMMYT, Mexico) as Theme Leader for six years. Before joining ICRISAT, Rajeev worked at IPK-Gatersleben, Germany for five years. He is internationally recognized for his contribution in genome sequencing of pigeonpea, chickpea, peanut, pearl millet, sesame, mungbean and adzuki bean and development of superior lines in chickpea, pigeonpea and peanut through molecular breeding. |
