Famend plant biotechnologist, Prof. Ok C Bansal, has been elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for yr 2025, a prestigious recognition that highlights his important contributions to the sphere of agricultural biotechnology and systematic administration of plant genetic assets for crop enchancment. This honour locations him among the many world’s high main scientists, and among the many choose scientists in India within the discipline of Agriculture, Vitamin & Meals Techniques Sciences.
Prof. Bansal’s profession, spanning over 4 a long time, is marked by a sequence of pioneering achievements in plant genomics and biotechnology. With a profound focus of his analysis on purposeful genomics for abiotic stress tolerance, he coordinated a mega analysis community on transgenic growth in a number of crops throughout totally different ICAR institutes, and collaborated with State Agricultural Universities within the nation. These contributions of Prof Bansal on figuring out novel genetic assets and pioneering genetic engineering efforts have turn into essential in addressing nationwide challenges in constructing local weather resilient agriculture.
His intensive physique of labor has earned him quite a few accolades, together with the best particular person honour of the Indian Council of Agricultural Analysis (ICAR), the Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award, in addition to the Indian Science Congress Award, conferred by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, and the distinguished Haryana Vigyan Ratna award conferred upon by Hon’ble Governor and Chief Minister of Haryana.
After finishing his doctorate with a Gold Medal from the Indian Agricultural Analysis Institute (IARI), New Delhi, Prof. Bansal pursued post-doctoral research at Harvard College, Cambridge, USA and served as a Visiting Scientist at Rutgers College, USA beneath aegis of the Rockefeller Profession Biotech Fellowship. His tutorial and analysis engagements presently prolong internationally, as he serves as an Adjunct Professor on the Centre for Crop and Meals Innovation, Murdoch College, Australia, and holds key advisory roles, together with on the Board of Administrators of the International Plant Council and the Board of Trustees of the MS Swaminathan Analysis Basis.
As a distinguished science chief, Prof. Bansal’s contributions have influenced nationwide agricultural insurance policies, significantly in selling genetically modified (GM) crops and CRISPR-based genome modifying applied sciences aimed toward rising meals manufacturing and bolstering resilience towards local weather change. His management on the Nationwide Bureau of Plant Genetic Assets (ICAR-NBPGR) from 2010 to 2016 earned the Analysis Management Award, recognizing his excellence in analysis administration and coverage formulation.
His election to TWAS not solely recognises his particular person brilliance but additionally emphasizes the vital position of Indian scientists in international agricultural developments. Prof. Bansal’s imaginative and prescient continues to encourage future generations of students and younger researchers, strengthening the bridge between the cutting-edge science and sensible agricultural options that profit societies worldwide.
Along with his analysis accolades, Prof. Bansal has served as Secretary of the Nationwide Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India, and as elected Vice-Chair from Asia for the UN Fee on Genetic Assets for Meals and Agriculture. His influential profession displays a steadfast dedication to scientific progress and collaborative international management.
Prof. KC Bansal’s induction as a Fellow of TWAS stands as a testomony to his enduring influence on the sphere of agricultural biotechnology and his dedication to fostering innovation for a resilient and sustainable future.
Prof. Ok C Bansal’s Biography and Scientific Achievements
The Legacy of a Visionary Scientist: Advancing Plant Sciences and Crop Biotechnology
Born in 1955, Prof. Bansal’s path into science started humbly in a small city, guided by familial encouragement to excel in teachers. His academic journey, marked by tenacity and mental curiosity, would finally lead him to international recognition as a pacesetter in plant biology and biotechnology analysis, coverage growth and public outreach for crop enchancment by way of genetic engineering and genome modifying approaches…
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