Dr. R.K. Jain
Dr. R.K. Jain is presently the Emeritus Scientist (ICAR) at IARI, New Delhi. Prior to this, joining as Dean, he served as Dean & Joint Director (Education) for five years (2013-18) and Head, Division of Plant Pathology at IARI for seven years (2007-13). He earned M.Sc. degree from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar and Ph.D. from IARI, New Delhi. He did his Post Doctorate from CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia; University of Florida, Gainesville, USA and University of Georgia, Tifton, USA. As a Plant Virologist, his research canvas includes distribution profile and genetic diversity, development of diagnostics and virus resistant transgenic plants (VRTPs) of emerging plant viruses such as Tobacco streak virus (TSV) affecting sunflower and groundnut, Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) affecting papaya, Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) affecting tomato and Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV) affecting cucurbits. His research contributions could find place in the journals: Virology, Journal of General Virology, Journal of Virological Methods, PLos 1, Virus Research, Plant Disease, Phytopathology etc. He has guided several M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. Besides, he has hosted Scientists from Australia, Bangladesh, Spain, UK and USA in his laboratory. He is the Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS); Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS) and Indian Virological Society (IVS). He has been a member of the ICTV Study Group Bunyaviridae and has played a key role in the recognition of the IYSV and WBNV as distinct tospovirus species. He has received several awards including Best Teacher Award and Hari Krishna Shastri Memorial Award of IARI; Recognition Award of NAAS; B.B. Mundkur Memorial Award of IPS;Prof. K.S. Bhargava Award of IVS etc. He has also been the President of IPS and Vice-President of IVS.