In 2005 , Dr Varshney joined International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics ( ICRISAT ) as Senior Scientist in the field of Applied Genomics . In a short span of time , he made significant contributions towards the institutional goals and missions in creating impact in the dryland regions of the world . During the process of creating this impact , he climbed his way up to the third highest position in the institute and was serving as Global Research Program Director for Accelerated Crop Improvement Program .
After serving ICRISAT in India for more than 16 years and leading the baton of scientific excellence , translational agriculture , capacity building & impactful partnerships , Dr Varshney has moved on to lead new positions and provide strategic leadership at Murdoch University , Australia . He currently serves as the Director of State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre ; and Director of Centre for Crop & Food Innovation ; and International Chair in Agriculture & Food Security at the Murdoch University .
Among many of his significant contributions , Dr Varshney had the onus of establishing and nurturing a globally recognized centre for genomics research at ICRISAT . He developed and deployed DNA marker technologies for the identification of useful genetic variation in tropical crops . Together with his team , he used these resources and technologies to identify genetic loci / candidate genes for drought and pest tolerances in key staple
Current Position : Professor , Murdoch University
Impact : Significant contributions to improving food security in Asia and Africa by creating genomic resources of major orphan tropical crops .
Notable Awards : Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2015 in Biological Sciences ; Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award 2019 ; Research Excellence India Citation Award 2015 by Thompson Reuters ; Illumina Agricultural Greater Good Initiative Award , 2013
Alma Mater : IPK-Gatersleben , Germany ; Chaudhary Charan Singh University ; Aligarh Muslim University crops for sub- Saharan Africa and India . He initiated and led major international programs that are creating and delivering superior crop varieties to some of the world ’ s poorest farmers .
Dr Varshney has supervised large international teams ( up to 200 members ) representing a range of diversity in ethnicity , nationality and gender . In these roles , he has provided expertise in R & D management , product development , innovative ideas and promoted an inclusive culture and inter-disciplinary and collaborative research ecosystem . His leadership efforts have led mainstreaming of genomics in crop breeding program .
As a prolific author , he delivered on all fronts including advancing the cause of scientific research by publishing more than 500 high quality research articles including 20 papers in Nature journals , which is a rare feat for any research centre across the globe .
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