Category Archives: Science & Technology

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICINE: FIRST IN INDIA – NEW VACCINE: Indian Immunologicals (IIL) unveils Indigenously Developed ‘Hepatitis A’ Vaccine – ‘Havisure’

MRP set at ₹2,150 per shot for the two-dose Havisure that has been launched after years of R&D, extensive clinical trials as well as a non-inferiority study, says MD K Anand Kumar.


Vaccine maker Indian Immunologicals (IIL) on Friday launched the country’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine.

The vaccine ‘Havisure’ represents a significant step forward in India’s fight against Hepatitis A and is poised to make a substantial contribution to public health, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) subsidiary said in a release on the launch in Hyderabad.

Currently, Hepatitis A vaccines are imported by India. IIL’s vaccine, which comes after eight years of work, is a true meaning of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, managing director K. Anand Kumar said. It was being rolled out following extensive studies ranging from pre-clinical toxicology studies in animals, phase I trial in human beings to phase 2/3 trials in eight centres involving nearly 500 healthy volunteers across various age groups. “We also did a non-inferiority study [comparing it with] GSK vaccine in which our vaccine was found very comparable,” he told The Hindu.

Havisure will be manufactured at IIL’s Gachibowli plant in Hyderabad. “Domestic market is our focus initially… self-sufficiency of the country is important, plan to make 1 million doses a year,” he said, while declining to share the development costs. There is scope to add more capacity, he added.

Exports

“We have our distribution network in India and also export vaccines to 50 countries… will also be exporting [the Hepatitis A vaccine],” Mr Kumar said, adding IIL will be seeking WHO pre-qualification for Havisure since that would give access to many markets abroad.

MRP of the vaccine has been set at ₹2,150 per dose. It is a two-dose vaccine — first dose administered at above 12 months of age and the second at least six months after the first dose. IIL said the vaccine is recommended for children as part of the routine immunization as well as for individuals at risk of exposure or travel to the regions with high hepatitis A prevalence. In addition to this people with occupational risk of infection and suffering from chronic liver diseases also require Hepatitis A vaccination.

A highly contagious viral infection, Hepatitis A primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route, meaning it is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Havisure is the third vaccine launched by IIL in a single year, which Mr.Kumar termed as an achievement giving credit to the team. The measles and rubella vaccine as well as TD vaccine are the other two.

source/contents: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: MANUFACTURING / AVIATION COMPONENTS: Airbus Signs Contracts with Mahindra Aeroscape, 3 others for Manufacturing of Aircraft Components

The latest contracts follow the allocation of the A320neo family cargo and bulk cargo doors manufacturing to Tata Advanced Systems earlier this year, Airbus said.

European aircraft and aerospace major Airbus on Monday said it has signed new contracts with multiple India-based suppliers for the manufacturing of components for commercial aircraft.

Contracts have been signed with Aequs, Dynamatic, Gardner and Mahindra Aerospace for the supply of airframe and wing parts across Airbus’ A320neo, A330neo and A350 programmes, the company said in a statement.

The latest contracts follow the allocation of the A320neo family cargo and bulk cargo doors manufacturing to Tata Advanced Systems earlier this year, Airbus said.

The company already procures components and services worth $750 million every year from India, and the latest round of contracts will add significantly to those volumes, it said.

“Make in India is at the core of Airbus’ strategy in India. We are proud that we are putting in place all the critical building blocks for an integrated industrial ecosystem that will propel India into the front ranks of aerospace manufacturing nations,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia.

“For Airbus, India is not just a market but a strategic resource hub for both human capital and aerospace components and services. We are proud to extend our partnership with Aequs, Dynamatic, Gardner and Mahindra Aerospace,” he said.

These contracts will support the ramp-up of Airbus’ commercial aircraft programmes globally, while strengthening capability and capacity in the aviation ecosystem of India across multiple technologies, including sheet metal, machining and extrusion profiles, the company said.

Together with its supply chain, Airbus said, it supports nearly 10,000 jobs in India, which is expected to go up to 15,000 by 2025.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Ayodhya to get world’s largest ‘solar powered street lights line’ , set Guinness record

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision to transform Ayodhya into a solar city is about to get a boost through establishment of the world’s largest ‘solar powered street lights line’, with the installation of 470 solar street lights over an area of 10.2 km city between Guptar Ghat and Nirmali Kund.

The unique feat will also see Ayodhya find entry into the the Guinness Book of World Records once again, with the earlier one taking place during Deepotsav with the lighting of the highest number of earthen lamps.

Under the guidance of CM Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has already completed approximately 70 per cent of the installation work, while the remaining 160 solar street lights will be installed before January 22.

Ayodhya UPNEDA project officer Praveen Nath Pandey said here on Tuesday that by January 22, a world record will be set in the temple city with the installation of 470 solar street lights in a 10.2 km stretch from Lakshman Ghat to Guptar Ghat, extending up to Nirmali Kund.

He added that under the project, 310 solar lights have been installed from Lakshman Ghat to Guptar Ghat, while work is ongoing to install 160 solar-powered street lights in the stretch between Guptar Ghat and Nirmali Kund, covering a distance of 1.85 km. All these solar-powered street lights are LED-based, operating at 4.4 watts, and equipped with smart technology. Through their installation, the 10.2 km stretch from Lakshman Ghat to Nirmali Kund will be illuminated with a radiant glow.

The world record that the state government aims to break through a solar energy-powered project is currently registered in the name of Malham of Saudi Arabia, where 468 solar-powered lights were installed over a stretch of 9.7 km in 2021. Now, the Yogi government is gearing up to surpass this record in Ayodhya by installing 470 solar-powered lights in an area spanning 10.2 km.

Earlier, Ayodhya got listed in the Guinness Book of World Records during Diwali in 2023, when 25,000 volunteers from Avadh University lit 22.23 lakh lamps together at the ghats of river Sarayu.

Discussions are underway between the local administration, officials of UPNEDA, and representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records in this context.

source/content: thestatesman.com (headline edited)

IIT Kanpur’s landmark research offers new hope in cancer, brain disorder treatment

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has achieved a breakthrough in biomedical research with their study of G protein-coupled receptors and chemokine receptor D6 shedding new light on the potential treatment of cancer and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and schizophrenia.

he Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has achieved a breakthrough in biomedical research with their study of G protein-coupled receptors and chemokine receptor D6 shedding new light on the potential treatment of cancer and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and schizophrenia.

“The path-breaking research opens the doors to a new era in targeted medicine that can deliver solutions for cancer and neurological conditions for millions across the world. These diseases, which cause immense suffering and economic burden, could see a new era of effective treatment developed based on these findings! The success of this research project is also a testament to our successful collaboration with scientists across the world,” Prof S Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur said here on Friday.

“This project saw the team from IIT Kanpur working with researchers from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and Switzerland. Hearty Congratulations to Prof Arun Shukla and team, who have been doing outstanding research in GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors) biology,” he said.

GPCRs are like tiny antennas on the surface of brain cells which help them to communicate and play a key role in many brain functions. When these receptors do not work properly, there are issues with communication between the brain cells leading to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This leads to symptoms and progression seen in these diseases.

Similarly, the chemokine receptor D6 functions in the immune system and is involved in the response to inflammation. In cancer, the receptor can influence the tumour environment, affecting how the cancer cells grow and spread.

The findings of the new research from IIT Kanpur will help in a greater understanding of the working of these receptors and lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches and targeted treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, which affects over 50 million people worldwide, and cancer, responsible for over 10 million deaths annually.

The researchers used a high-tech method called cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to create detailed three-dimensional images of the receptors. This allowed them to study the 3D images of the receptors at the molecular level in great detail, helping to identify and design new drug-like molecules to correct problems with these receptors that cause disease conditions.

The research team from the Laboratory of GPCR Biology, IIT Kanpur included Prof Arun K Shukla, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering and Principal Investigator GPCR Lab; Ramanuj Banerjee, Post-Doctoral Fellow; Manish Yadav, Post-Doctoral Fellow; Ashutosh Ranjan, Post-doctoral fellow, currently Faculty at Lucknow University; Jagannath Maharana, PhD scholar now heading to the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology as a post-doctoral fellow; Madhu Chaturvedi, PhD scholar now heading to UCSF as a post-doctoral fellow; Parishmita Sarma, PhD student; Vinay Singh, Project JRF, now headed to IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics, Frankfurt as a PhD student; Sayanatan Saha, Project Research Fellow; and, Gargi Mahajan, Project Research Fellow.

source/content: thestatesman.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: PATENT: Madhya Pradesh’s Science & Innovation: SGSITS’s Professor Satish Jain Created ‘Radiator Miniaturization’ To Be Used By ISRO, DRDO

Government of India recognized and granted the patent for the invention of ‘Noble and Optimized-Effective Ground Structural for Radiator Miniaturization’ created by Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science (SGSITS) professor Satish Jain. He registered a patent for the same.

“I have reduced the size of the antenna to be installed on the nano satellite,” Jain said. He added that due to this, the quality of the satellite will improve.

“This has become possible after my hard work of the last 7 years,” Jain said. The invention is expected to be useful for the sky related satellite activities of the Government of India (Indian Space Satellite Research Center ISRO, DRDO)!

“Due to the smaller size of the antenna, the possibility of expanding the service by installing more modules in the satellite increases,” Jain said.

Director of the institute Rakesh Saxena said, “Nano satellite is a small satellite platform with very high density technology, which must use reliable design.” The invention can help in reliable and efficient nano satellites, he added.

source/content: freepressjournal.in (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE: AMERICAN BEAUTY PAGEANT: Surgeries to Stilettos: Dr Piyali Roy Wins Mrs Universe USA 2024, Seattle November 2023.

Unapologetic in her evolution Dr Piyali Roy created an inspirational bench mark for other women to emulate from the multitudinal transformation she underwent in different spheres of life which led to her win at the Mrs Universe Curvy USA 2024 pageant, held at Seattle on the November 11, 2023.

Dr Piyali Roy is a beauty queen in its true sense, besides being a New York University trained dental surgeon, an author, international fashion model.

According to Piyali, her infectious smile, confidence and charm forayed her way into the top 3 of Mrs Universe Curvy USA 2024 after leaving everyone in awe of her creativity and reverence that she displayed while walking down the National Costume Round depicting Washington DC’s state flag and emblem displayed on her while she took on the look of the National Flower herself, The American pink rose. Dr Piyali Roy in her electric blue evening gown displayed royalty and looked majestic, as she walked the ramp leaving all the judges and audiences mesmerised by her attractive personality, grace and oozing charm.

Icing on the top was her on point answer to a question based on domestic violence during the interview round and the finale answer which generated loud applause in the audience, demarcating her as the clear winner of the pageant. Piyali was crowned by the reigning queen Mrs Universe 2023 Meranie Gadiana Rahman in Mrs Universe USA Pageant.

As she steps into the limelight after winning Mrs Universe 2024, Dr Piyali Roy is not just a model or a dentist or an actor; she is an inspiration. A beacon of resilience, showcasing that with confidence and determination, one can transcend boundaries, redefine norms, and truly embody the essence of empowerment and grace.

Today Dr Piyali Roy stands as an example as to how versatility can shape one’s journey. She is testament to the magic that happens when grace meets tenacity, and when confidence becomes one’s guiding light.

Her time at New York University, where she honed her skills as a dentist, gave her insights into the intricacies of human aesthetics. This foundation, perhaps unexpectedly, served as a springboard into the world of fashion. As she transitioned to the runway, the parallels became evident. Just as she would sculpt and perfect a smile in her clinic, she sculpted her presence and poise on the runway. Every detail, from her posture to her gaze, became an expression of her artistry.

The New York Fashion Week runway became a platform where Dr Roy communicated a narrative – of reinvention, courage, and limitless potential. This narrative was further enriched as she collaborated with global fashion stalwarts, from Mumbai’s Rohit Verma to visionary African designers from Paris. Each collaboration, each walk, became a testament to her versatility.

Her win at Mrs Bharat (India) DMV 2023 in Washington DC, USA wasn’t just a title; it was a recognition of her ability to captivate and inspire. That’s not it, Dr Piyali Roy was also the winner of Mrs Universal Petite 2023 Audience Choice Crown in Mexico.

With her spirit and talents, Dr Piyali Roy is exemplifying how one can craft a rich tapestry of diverse yet harmonious paths, leaving an indelible mark of grace, strength, and confidence in every stride.

Dr Piyali Roy’s achievements are testament of her skills, talent and above all her dedication. We are certain that she will continue to soar, while she celebrates this milestone.

source/content: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: BUSINESS & ECONOMY: From US to India: Chandigarh Man Sidharth S Oberoi’s Razor-sharp Journey to Crores

From a small inventory room in Ambala where initially Sidharth S Oberoi got only 30 to 40 orders a month to over 20,000 orders a month, he is going places.

Chandigarh boy Sidharth S Oberoi was working as a project engineer in the US when one day he just resigned from his job to start a new company- LetsShave. The 31-year-old returned to India and began working on high quality razor blades with diamond coating. From a small inventory room in Ambala where initially Oberoi got only 30 to 40 orders a month to over 20,000 orders a month, he is going places. Today, LetsShave is spread over 100 countries and the firm has raised $6 million in four years with firms such as Wipro and Korean giants too having stakes in it.

How did this idea strike you and when?

The idea struck me in my university dorm room in America. The frustration of limited shaving options in a market flooded with choices for other grooming products sparked the concept of revolutionizing the shaving industry. But then I was focussing on my studies and I went on to pursue my job as project engineer.

But this idea was still there on my mind. And somehow I kept working on it if I could sign an exclusive partnership with Korean giant Dorco as I was only 22 years old. It took me 2 years to negotiate and convince that I could do it.

Two years went by and I had even begun my job as a project engineer in US then. One day I got to know that the Korean firm had agreed to partner with me on this concept of mine. It was then I resigned from my job and returned to India in 2015 to start LetsShave. And basically the realization that there was a gap in the market for quality razors, combined with my passion for grooming and the desire to bring something extraordinary to consumers, led to the birth of LetsShave.

How did you translate this idea into Let’s Shave finally?

So, it all started from a small inventory room in Ambala and we used to get only 30 to 40 orders a month. The initial months were disappointing as we would hardly make a lakh a month. Today we are making around Rs 3 crore a month with over 20,000 orders. Translating the idea of LetsShave from concept to reality began with a vision to fill the void in the shaving market. Collaborating with the world’s finest razor blade manufacturer, I focused on creating a product that prioritized excellence, precision, and innovation.

How far have you taken this idea?

Today, we have expanded to more than 100 countries. Our business plans abroad are rooted in the belief that grooming should know no borders. Not just this, now even big giants like Wipro and Korean giant Dorco that produce second largest razor blades have stakes in my firm. But major stake which is 70 percent still belongs to me.

Do you think marks matter?

I did my class 11 and 12 from Vivek High school in Sector 38 Chandigarh before pursuing engineering from USA. I have studied at prestigious institutions such as Purdue University, Sapienza University of Rome, and eventually, the Harvard Business School. The diverse educational experiences provided a holistic perspective, blending theoretical knowledge with practical insights.

However, I believe that while academic performance is significant, it is not the sole determinant of success in the entrepreneurial world. Real-world challenges often demand a blend of practical skills, innovative thinking, and resilience, aspects that go beyond conventional academic metrics.

What can Chandigarh do to retain talent?

A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem through initiatives like co-working spaces and mentorship programmes is needed. Colla-boration between local educational institutions and industries should be strengthened. Better transportation and healthcare facilities will also help.

What help should the government give startups?

Financial assistance through grants or low-interest loans and simplifying the regulatory framework can enable startups to focus on business development. Good R&D, innovation-friendly infrastructure, and regular policy advocacy also help startups thrive.

One thing you like and one thing you want to change about Chandigarh.

I admire Chandigarh’s dynamism and the wealth of talent. The city’s cosmopolitan character and the diverse skill sets of its residents. But I would also advocate for a more robust infrastructure specifically tailored to support startups.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: NATIONAL: AWARDS IN CHEMISTRY: Mumbai Professor and Dean Savita Ladage Wins Prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC) Nyholm Prize

Professor Savita Ladage, who lives in Mumbai, has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of contributions to chemistry education.

Based at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Professor Ladage won the prize for enthusiastically advocating the importance of chemical education, through mentoring chemistry educators and initiating teacher and student programs that promote chemistry education in India.

All the winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.

Professor Ladage also receives £5000, a medal and a certificate.

After receiving the prize, Professor Ladage said: “I feel deeply honoured to receive this prize and recognition in the community of individuals who are doing work in the area of chemistry education. I am thankful to the RSC for the same. The award and recognition has motivated me further to continue my work with greater zeal and enthusiasm. I am passionate about chemistry education in general.”

Ladage is passionate about teaching and learning chemistry. She interacts with chemistry students and teachers, especially at undergraduate level. One of her main interests has been chemistry lab education and helping students to make observations more carefully and critically. She designs experiments and highlights the associated procedures, difficulties and errors involved, and the data. Savita wants to change the perception of students and teachers of chemistry lab education.

When she’s not teaching, Ladage loves writing articles about different topics in chemistry, particularly the periodic table and the challenges involved in teaching and learning chemistry.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.

“The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences – shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.

“Professor Ladage’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”

The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education – including teachers, technicians and more. These prizes recognise a wide range of skills – from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career.

source/content: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH – CANCER: Berhampore boy Anirudha Chatterjee runs a lab finding Solutions to Cancer in New Zealand

An awardee of the prestigious Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, the epigenetics expert aims to spread his research for the welfare of cancer patients

When Aniruddha Chatterjee, assistant professor at the University of Otago, Dunedin, was named as one of the 10 recipients to be awarded a 2017 Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, the first thought was to help cancer patients across the globe including his home country India.

Aniruddha has been working on the Methylation of DNA, which can control the behaviour of DNA code in a cell, crucial for cancer treatment. For someone dreaming of research to support the medical fraternity, the breakthrough in research is no mean feat.

As a 25-year-old intern at an IT (Information Technology) company in Coimbatore, Aniruddha realised his heart lies in research. Not satisfied with the routine IT job, Aniruddha started to explore opportunities in research, with multiple offers pouring in from Europe. The volume of research conducted at the University of Otago and the attractive scholarship prompted him to work in serene Dunedin for his PhD in 2009. “Prof Ian Morrison was the main reason to finalise my decision. He was reassuring and showed complete faith in me. I was allowed to do clinically relevant human projects,” Aniruddha tells Education Times.

The combination of Informatics computers which was new back then was exciting, he says. Furthermore, a scholarship to work with Prof Mike Nicholas and at the New Zealand Cancer Institute were irresistible offers that followed.

For a boy born in a family with modest means in Berhampore, West Bengal, who studied in Bengali-medium government schools, the journey was glorious. Aniruddha’s father, a government school headmaster, ensured a strong academic environment in the house, resulting in brilliant academic achievements of his children.

Aniruddh worked on a few projects after completing his BTech (Biotechnology) from Osmania University, and master’s from VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology), Vellore. After facing the initial struggles involving adjustment to the local culture, battling homesickness, and embracing the research process, Aniruddha went on to achieve Rutherford Discovery Fellowships administered by Royal Society Te Aparangi in 2017, which offered funding of $800,000 to be used for research for five years.

The fellowship fund helped him set up the Chatterjee labs at the University, which is now a platform focusing on epigenetic alterations in cancer metastasis. The lab consists of 15 researchers from India, Iran, and Nigeria, working on tackling bowel cancer which is a dreaded disease not only in New Zealand but also all over the world. Aniruddha along with Dr Euan Rodger and Dr Rachel Purcell had their findings published in iScience, which explains the research that identified a feature that allows bowel cancer to spread to the liver.

“It is a very promising area to work on as it tackles cancer in many ways. I am happy that the research is of great significance in India and other parts of the world,” says Aniruddha. Population-specific epigenetic data is very limited and the more we generate, the more we can understand disease (cancer in this case). The research is of significance as it will help the patients in early detection, monitoring and timely treatment, adds Aniruddha.

“Our lab combines cutting-edge next-generation sequencing, computational analysis, and experimental work to decipher the role of epigenetic code in cancer, focusing on DNA methylation,” says Aniruddh.

Chatterjee lab is studying DNA methylation levels in cancer cells and patient tumour samples and it has the potential to understand the aggressive nature of cancer and utilise the knowledge for patient benefit. The researchers are working to assign function to every single methylation change that could occur in a cancer cell so that ultimately epigenetic changes could be used to predict and prevent disease. “Our work will contribute to detecting cancer early, predicting treatment response and providing new ways of treating cancer to improve patient outcome,” says Aniruddha, who aims to expand his work by collaborating with Indian researchers.

source/content: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SCIENE & TECHNOLOGY / RESEARCH: Indian-origin Professor Brajesh Singh of Western Sydney University ,Australia Honoured with the top Microbiology ‘2023 Dorothy Jones’ Award

An Indian-origin professor from Australia has been awarded the 2023 Dorothy Jones Prize for using microbiology to make a significant contribution to understanding of terrestrial life and preservation of global ecosystem.

Brajesh Singh, a global expert in the field of microbial functional ecology from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment in Western Sydney University, was presented the award at the British Medical Association (BMA) House in London last month.

Singh’s fundamental research provides solutions to global challenges, including environmental degradation and food insecurity.

This has been done by identifying the quantitative relationships between soil diversity and ecosystem functions and exploring how these are impacted by natural and anthropogenic pressures.

Findings from his research, identifying the causal link between soil microbial and faunal soil biodiversity and key ecosystem functions and services, have advanced crucial areas of ecosystem science, according to a Western Sydney University release.

The research findings have also informed multiple policy decisions at regional, national, and global levels, including providing key recommendations for bilateral engagements in agribusiness and trade between Australia and both India and the European Union.

He has developed innovations to boost the efficacy of existing microbial products and provided new tools for manipulating soil and plant microbiomes for an array of industries across Australia and the world, the release said.

Singh is currently working with multiple government and intergovernmental bodies, including the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), to train farmers, consultants, and policy advisors in sustainable agriculture, and in the Sustainable Development Goals.

In addition, he works with the UN FAO’s Global Soil Partnership to boost the resilience of farming systems and ensure environmentally sustainable food security measures globally.

Having spent ten years honing his knowledge in Scotland before relocating to Australia, Singh also advises the European Commission on enhancing productivity in the bioeconomy.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science; the Soil Science Society of Australia; the Soil Science Society of America, the American Academy of Microbiology, and a Humboldt Research Awardee.

Named after Dr Dorothy Jones — who served as President of Applied Microbiology International from 1989 to 1991 — the prize is part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards, which celebrate the brightest minds in the field promoting individuals and research shaping the future of applied microbiology.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)