Prof. Anath Bandhu Das is a distinguished academician and research scientist with 29 years of comprehensive experience in plant cytogenetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology education and research. He is currently serving as Emeritus Professor (CSIR) at the Department of Botany, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar (October 2020–Present), where he continues active engagement in research supervision and scholarly mentorship. Previously, he served as Professor at the Department of Botany, Utkal University (2015–2019), where he held the position of Head of the Department (2015–2017) and Director of Self Finance Courses (2017–2019). He also served as Guest Faculty at NISER, Khurda (January–June 2018) and held positions as Associate Professor at the College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology (2009–2015) and earlier as Senior Scientist and Scientist at the Regional Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar (1992–1999).

Prof. Das holds advanced qualifications including a D.Sc. in Botany from Berhampur University (2005), specializing in plant molecular cytogenetics, DNA fingerprinting and cytometry, and a Ph.D. in Botany from Calcutta University (1989), with specialization in plant cytology, genetics and tissue culture. His academic foundation also includes a B.Ed. in Science (1991), M.Sc. in Botany (1982) and B.Sc. Honours in Botany (1979), all from Calcutta University.

Research & Publications

Prof. Das has established a prolific and internationally recognized research career spanning plant cytology, molecular cytogenetics, DNA fingerprinting, genetic diversity assessment and molecular stress physiology. His research has encompassed comprehensive studies on approximately 350 plant species, including medicinal plants, mangroves, cacti and banana varieties from multiple plant families. His scientific output is substantial, comprising 227 peer-reviewed journal publications (161 international and 60 national journals), 2 co-authored books, 1 co-edited book, 3 practical laboratory manuals, 10 book chapters and 140 abstracts presented at national and international symposia.

His pioneering contributions include extensive chromosome and karyotype analysis in over 200 plant species, in situ DNA estimation studies, and molecular phylogenetic investigations using RAPD, SSR, ISSR and IRAP DNA markers. Notably, his work on chromosomal localization using FISH and GISH techniques, transposomal element distribution in Musa species and hAT-like transposable elements has contributed significantly to banana genomics and crop improvement. He developed a banana variety "Mallika" with enhanced shelf life, which has gained commercial adoption in coastal Odisha, and established regeneration protocols for ten local banana varieties to support livelihood programmes across 30 districts of Odisha under the Orissa Tribal Development Programme.

Patents, Books & Scholarly Contributions

Prof. Das has authored and co-authored 2 books and 1 edited volume, including Mangroves: The Biology and Biogeography (Narosa Publishing House, 2013) and Genomics of Pandanus: A Useful Plant Resource of Coastal Odisha, India (LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012). He has also developed 3 laboratory manuals on micropropagation, molecular techniques and bioinformatics for use in agricultural biotechnology education. His contributions to 10 book chapters span topics ranging from cactus cytology to mangrove physiology and genetic engineering of mangrove genes for enhanced salinity tolerance in crop plants, published by academic and scholarly presses including Springer and Narosa.

Research Projects & Funding

Prof. Das has successfully managed and served as Principal or Co-Investigator on 17 major research projects funded by various government agencies and institutions including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), National Mission on Medicinal Plants (NMPB), Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the Government of Odisha and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Recent projects include the CSIR-funded study on genome-specific SSR and chromosomal markers in Musa species and GIGANTEA gene characterization (2020–2024) and a multi-institutional DBT consortium project on managing Indian banana genetic resources with a cumulative sanction of Rs. 160.77 lakhs (2018–2021). Additional significant projects encompassed molecular screening of heavy metal tolerance in rice varieties, development of drought-resistant mungbean through genetic transformation, anticancer compound screening from medicinal plants and sex-linked DNA marker development in Momordica dioica, with individual project budgets ranging from Rs. 7.80 lakhs to Rs. 35.0 lakhs.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

Prof. Das has dedicated 5 years to formal undergraduate and postgraduate teaching alongside his extensive research career spanning 29 years. He has provided direct research supervision and mentorship to a substantial number of students: 3 D.Sc. scholars, 19 Ph.D. scholars, 13 M.Phil. students and 58 M.Sc. students. His doctoral graduates have conducted research on topics ranging from genome analysis of Pandanus and molecular characterization of salt-stressed mangroves to abiotic stress-responsive markers in finger millet and chromosomal studies in Hymenodictyon and Drimia medicinal plants. Many of his students have successfully completed their dissertations and are now pursuing academic and research careers in their respective fields.

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Prof. Das has been actively engaged in faculty development and knowledge dissemination through his participation as resource person, invited speaker and guest lecturer at numerous national and international institutions. He has delivered keynote addresses and invited talks at over 56 symposia and seminars, including the 100th Indian Science Congress (2013), the International Conference on Plant Developmental Biology and Arabidopsis Meeting (2017), the 14th International workshop on Trichoderma and Gliocladium (2016) and various UGC-sponsored national seminars on stress biology, biotechnology and contemporary plant science research. He has also served as external examiner and question setter for M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes at multiple universities including Berhampur University, Osmania University, Fakir Mohan University, Sambalpur University, Tripura University and others, and has served as Ph.D. thesis evaluator and D.Sc. examiner at numerous institutions.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Prof. Das has received significant national and international recognition for his scientific contributions. His major awards include the Mupari Braham Memorial Award (2018) from the Orissa Botanical Society for outstanding lifetime contribution to botany and plant biodiversity, the Samanta Chandrasekhar Award (2007) from the Orissa Bigyan Academy for contributions to plant biotechnology and molecular biology, and the Professor Hira Lal Chakravorty Award (1999) from the Indian Science Congress Association for significant research contributions in botany. He has been the recipient of multiple prestigious international fellowships, including the DBT Overseas Associateship Awards (2005 and 2010) for postdoctoral research at the Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Republic and the University of Leicester, UK; the Rothamsted International–Lawes Agricultural Trust (RI-LAT) Fellowship (1999) at IACR Rothamsted, UK; the Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) Fellowship (2000) from Japan; and the British Council Higher Education Link Fellowship (1998) at the University of Liverpool.

Prof. Das maintains active membership in prestigious scientific and professional organizations, including Life Member, Orissa Botanical Society (currently serving as Secretary), Life Member, Indian Society of Plant Physiology (IARI), Life Member, Indian Society for Cell Biology (Bangalore), Life Member, Indian Science Congress Association and Life Member, Society of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (OUAT). He serves on the editorial boards of 5 international journals and acts as a reviewer and referee for 23 peer-reviewed journals including those published by Springer, Elsevier and Taylor & Francis.

Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Prof. Das has undertaken substantial administrative and leadership responsibilities throughout his academic career. As Head of the Department of Botany at Utkal University (2015–2017), he oversaw departmental operations and academic programmes. He has served as Chairman of the All Orissa University Common Undergraduate and Postgraduate Syllabus Committee for Botany, providing leadership in curriculum development across the state's university system. Additional administrative roles have included Co-ordinator of the DST-FIST and UGC-DSR-III programmes, Co-ordinator of the Applied Microbiology Department, and Co-ordinator of the Faculty Recruitment Cell at Utkal University. He has also served as Chairman of the Scientific Research Committee overseeing multiple departments, Chairman of the College Affiliation Committee, and Chairman/Member of Boards of Studies at several constituent colleges affiliated with Utkal University.

Eligibility for Outstanding Academician Award

Prof. Anath Bandhu Das presents a compelling profile for recognition as an outstanding academician. His 29 years of extensive experience in research, teaching and academic administration, combined with 227 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, successful supervision of over 90 advanced-degree students, management of 17 major research projects with combined funding exceeding Rs. 200 lakhs, and significant international collaborations through fellowships at prestigious institutions in the UK, Czech Republic and Japan collectively demonstrate sustained excellence in academic endeavour. His contributions to plant genomics, molecular cytogenetics and crop improvement—particularly his pioneering work on banana genetic resources, development of commercially viable cultivars and establishment of regeneration protocols for livelihood support—exemplify practical scholarship that benefits society. His numerous national awards, active membership in professional organizations, prolific publication record and demonstrated commitment to faculty and student mentorship further underscore his standing as a scholar of exceptional merit.

Based on his demonstrated achievements, comprehensive research output, international recognition and sustained contributions to higher education and science, Prof. Anath Bandhu Das is eligible for consideration for the Outstanding Academician Award in Scientific Laurels, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to plant cytogenetics, molecular biology, biotechnology research and higher education.