Prof. Chittaranjan Kole is an internationally reputed scientist with an illustrious professional career spanning over thirty-seven years and original contributions in the fields of plant genomics and biotechnology leading to the publication of more than 150 research articles in globally leading journals. He has edited over 150 books for the leading publishers of the world including Springer Nature, Wiley-Blackwell and Taylor & Francis Group. His works and editing acumen have been appreciated by seven Nobel Laureates including Profs. Norman Borlaug, Arthur Kornberg, Werner Arber, Phillip Sharp, Günter Blobel, Lee Hartwell and Roger Kornberg. Previously he was a Visiting Professor in The Pennsylvania State University and Clemson University. He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of the BC Agricultural University in India. He is also the President and Founding Principal Coordinator of the International Climate-Resilient Crop Genomics Consortium (ICRCGC) and International Phytomedomics and Nutriomics Consortium (IPNC).
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Government of India, and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, is an internationally renowned scientist and science administrator. His is widely recognized for his pioneering contributions in the fields of Agricultural Genomics and Molecular Breeding. He has experience of guiding agricultural research and education as the Director and Vice-chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (Deemed University); and as Director, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha. Presently, he has been providing leadership to Agricultural Research and Education System in India, which is responsible for policy formulation and implementation, knowledge management and human resource development. He has also shared the vision to gear up sustainable agricultural production in SAARC countries and transforming livelihoodsin South Asia. He has published over 230 research papers in national and international journals, several book chapters and policy documents. He has received several awards and recognitions from across the globe. He has been conferred doctoral degree (honoris causa) by more than 10 universities for his contribution to Agricultural Science. Dr. Mohapatra is the President of National Academy of Agricultural Science, New Delhi; and provided leadership to many other professional societies including Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi, Indian Society for Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad and Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics, New Delhi.
