Birth & Educations: Born on July 21, 1970. Post Doctorate in Plant Pathology, National Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, South Korea (2010); Ph.D in Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (1994-1998); M.Sc(Agri.) in Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (1992-1994); B.Sc(Agri.), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (1988-1992)

Positions hold: Worked in different cadres for 26 years (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, Professor and Head/PI, AICRP on Soybean, ICAR-IISR, Indore, Dean and Head of Institute, PAJANCOA & RI, Karaikal, Puducherry UT, Head PPMC, Office of Vice Chancellor, Chief Scientific Officer, Editor and Head, Publication Center and and presently working as Professor & Head, University Placement Cell. More than 10 years administrative experience.

Awards/Honours: Honoured with 20 National and International awards during professional period. (1) Nuffic Fellowship -2011 An International award International training award from Center for Development and Innovation, Wageningen UR, Netherlands, Govt. of Netherlands; (2) Nuffic Fellowship -2017 An International award International training award from Center for Development and Innovation, Wageningen UR, Netherlands, Govt. of Netherlands; (3) Best oral presentation Award 2014 In the International Conference on Biological, Civil and Environmental Engineering, (BCCE) 2014 at Institute of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Dubai, UAE. (4) Dr. M. Puttarudraiah Memorial Endowment National Award-2019 Outstanding contribution in Plant Protection- Individual awarded by Institutional of Agricultural Technologists, Bengaluru; (5) Prof. J F Dastur Memorial Lecture National Award-2018 Outstanding contribution in Plant Protection- awarded by Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi. (6) Sir C V Raman Young Scientist State Award-2013, Prestigious State Award- 2013 Outstanding contributions in Agriculture Science- awarded by Govt. of Karnataka, KSCST, Bengaluru; (7) University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad Best Research Scientist Award- 2017 Outstanding contributions in Plant Pathology-Individual awarded by University of Agricultural sciences Dharwad; (8) UAS Incentive Award-2018 for Externally funded Projects Brining Adhoc Projects on Competitive Mode- awarded by University of Agricultural sciences Dharwad; (9) UAS Incentive Award 2019 for externally funded Projects Brining Adhoc Projects on Competitive mode awarded by University of Agricultural sciences Dharwad; (10) UAS Incentive Award 2021 for externally funded Projects Brining Adhoc Projects on Competitive mode- awarded by University of Agricultural sciences Dharwad; (11) UAS Incentive Award 2022 for externally funded Projects Brining Adhoc Projects on Competitive mode- awarded by University of Agricultural sciences Dharwad; (12) Chief Minister Award for Excellence in Publication Administration (2021)-Government of Puducherry UT; (13) Fellow of Association for the Advancement of Bio-diversity Science (FABSc) Outstanding contributions in Plant Pathology- by Association for the Advancement of Bio-diversity Science (FABSc), Karnataka University, Dharwad; (14) Fellow of Society for Plant Research (FSPR)-2018 for Outstanding contributions in Plant Pathology- awarded by Society for Plant Research; (15) Fellow of Asian PGPR Society awarded by Asian PGPR society; (16) Achiever Award-2018 Individual award for outstanding contribution in the field of Biocontrol; (17) Outstanding Faculty Award-2016, Contribution in the field of Biological Control- Individualawarded by Venus Intl. Foundation, Chennai; (18) Prof. M S Swaminathan Award-2022 by Society for Plant Research for outstanding contributions in Agril. Science; (19) Achievers Award by Society for Advancement of Human and Nature, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan; (20) International Achievement Award-2017 Outstanding contribution in Plant Protection- by R&D Wing of FBA Awards; (21) KPV Menon Best Poster Award-2018 awarded by Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi.

Fellow: (1) Fellow of Indian Phytopathological Society (FPSI); (2) Fellow of International Benevolent Research Forum (FIBR); (3) Fellow of Association for the Advancement of Bio-diversity Science (FABSc); (4)Fellow of Society for Plant Research (FSPR)-2018 5.Fellow of Asian PGPR Society awarded by Asian PGPR society

Research Areas: Biological & Chemical Control, ISR and PGPR Mediated Host Plant Resistance.

Guided 17 Ph.D. and 65 M.Sc., students in the field of Plant Pathology & other subjects in the University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad as Chairman, Co-chairman and as a member. He has visited 15 countries like Israel, USA, South Korea, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, France. Switzerland, Germany, Ghana, China, UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia, Srilanka etc and presented. invited papers & chaired Technical Sessions in International Conferences / Symposium. Published 150 papers in journals and presented 100 papers in conferences of national and international repute,50 articles and 5 books (both in English and Kannada), contributed 25 chapters in books and prepared 12 reports with ISBN No. Handled more than 15 externally funded projects worth of Rs.37.22 crores sponsored by National and International agencies. To quote few: ICAR-NAHEP-IDP of UAS, Dharwad with funding Rs.2467.06 Lakhs & presently working as Principal Investigator of DBT-BUILDER project with project outlay of Rs 640 Lakhs. Associated with development of six soybean varieties as developer,10 varities as associated Scientist and 20 technologies are released for in agricultural and horticultural crops towards the doubling of farmer’s income. Life Member for 12 National and International Scientific Societies in the world and served as Vice-President, Executive Member/Chairman in 25 National and International Conferences/Symposia. Developed the Centre of excellence laboratories for Plant disease diagnosis. Organized 5 National, 3 International conference and 2 winter Schools as Director sponsored by Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi.