BioVoice News October 2016 Issue 6 Volume 1 | Page 10

face to face “PLANT BASED MEDICINES ARE GAINING RELEVANCE” Recently the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Technological Awards 2016 recognized the efforts, hard work and efficiency of the scientists at various CSIR laboratories. Scientists of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), who jointly developed the anti-diabetic product BGR-34, were recently awarded by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for their exclusive contribution in restoring the societal health. In that context, this edition of the Face to Face features an exclusive interaction with Dr Dilip Kumar Upreti, Director, CSIR-NBRI who shared interesting insights on the relevance of phytopharma products, growing acceptance of medicinal plant based drugs and much more. Do read the detailed interview that follows: BY RAHUL KOUL Dr Dilip Kumar Upreti is currently the Director of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. Dr Upreti is also serving as president of Indian Lichenological Society. During this tenure as Scientist and Head of Lichen Lab at CSIR-NBRI, he published more than 60 research articles (including book chapters) and also revised the lichen families such as Pyrenulaceae, Graphidaceae, Teloschistaceae, Lecanoraceae, Parmeliaceae, Usneaceae, etc. Dr Upreti received FNASc during the year 2013 for his notable service in the field of Lichenology. 10 BioVoiceNews | October 2016