Ph.D. in plant sciences with research experience of 36 years in plant genetics and evolution, biodiversity conservation and biotechnology. Worked with Indian Council of Agricultural Research in different capacities, including Director of DNA Fingerprinting center and Director of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources. Since 2006, working as Coordinator of Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology (APCoAB), the biotechnology program of APAARI. The objectives of the program include policy advocacy, capacity building and information dissemination on biotechnology to support agricultural development in the Asia-Pacific region. The activities carried out to meet these objectives comprise organization of expert consultations and high level policy meetings, training programs and workshops, publication of success stories and status reports and web-based information dissemination.