Prof. Vimal Sharma is an accomplished academician, researcher and academic administrator with over 36 years of experience in teaching, research and institutional leadership. He is a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from PGIMER, Chandigarh, and has undertaken post-doctoral research at the University of Erlangen, Germany. He held the position of Professor and Head, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur (2007–2017), and served as Former Dean, College of Fisheries, MPUAT, Udaipur (2010–2014).

Previously, he served in multiple roles including Associate Professor of Biochemistry at MPUAT (1989–2001), Professor of Biochemistry at MPUAT (2001–2007), In Charge, University Central Laboratory, MPUAT (2004–2011), and Redeployed Professor, Department of Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Navania, Vallabhnagar (2018–2020). He held the dual responsibility of Professor In Charge and Dean, College of Fisheries, MPUAT (2010–2014), and was a Member of the Board of Management, MPUAT (2012–2014).

Research & Publications

Prof. Sharma has developed a multidisciplinary research profile spanning human biochemistry and nutrition, molecular biology and biotechnology, environmental biochemistry, and fish production and biodiversity. His research interests include oxalate biosynthesis, the role of spices in human metabolism, natural food colours, medicinal and aromatic plants, genomic library development, genetic diversity analysis, biosensors, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, chitosan nanoparticles, biodegradation and biogas production, salinity stress amelioration, organic farming, and freshwater plankton biodiversity.

His scholarly output encompasses 64 research publications in peer-reviewed journals and books, spanning topics from oxalate metabolism and plant biochemistry to biotechnology and aquaculture. His research contributions have been published in reputed journals including Phytochemistry, Metabolism, Biochemistry International, Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, American Journal of Plant Physiology, Indian Journal of Plant Physiology, International Journal of Tropical Agriculture, African Journal of Biotechnology, BioMed Research International, and Land Degradation & Development.

Books & Scholarly Contributions

Prof. Sharma has authored and co-authored 3 significant books. These include eNyh ikyu funsZf"kdk (College of Fisheries, MPUAT, Udaipur, 2013, Pages 1–82), cgqjaxh eNyh ikyu funsZf"kdk (College of Fisheries, MPUAT, Udaipur, 2012, Pages 1–62), and Probiotic on growth and resistance against A. hydrophila in Labeo icar (Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany, 2015, Pages 1–69). Additionally, he has contributed multiple chapters to edited books on topics including nitrogenous constituents of soil organic matter, nitrogen fixation in organic farming, botanical sources of edible colours, and Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins.

Research Projects & Funding

Prof. Sharma has served as Principal Investigator of a TAD (Tribal Area Development) sponsored project (2010–2012) titled "Promoting Aquaculture and Fisheries in the TSP Area of Rajasthan through Training of 'Would Be Master Trainers' and Follow Up Trainings at Village Level for Bringing Awareness and Imparting Fisheries Skills," which benefited 960 tribal individuals. He also completed a project as Co-Investigator (2005) on "Estimation of Bifenthrin residue in red gram Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp," sponsored by FMC India Ltd. Additionally, he led the Establishment of Leaf Tissue Analysis Laboratory under National Horticulture Mission, New Delhi (2009–2010), funded at Rs 20.0 lakhs. He has also coordinated Training and Awareness Programs on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act sponsored by the PPVFR Authority, Government of India.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

With over 36 years of teaching experience at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels, Prof. Sharma has taught at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, College of Home Science, College of Fisheries, College of Agriculture Jobner, and College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vallabhnagar. He has developed and taught courses in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and related subjects across multiple institutions. He has guided 18 thesis projects, including 8 Ph.D. students and 10 M.Sc./M.F.Sc. students, spanning research areas in biochemistry, salinity stress, biodegradation, genetic diversity, zooplankton production, and microbial characterization. He has also prepared over 25 practical manuals for student courses across all discipline areas he has taught.

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Prof. Sharma is an active resource person and facilitator of academic development. He has served as a Resource Person in 7 ICAR refresher courses, summer and winter schools, and as a member of the Rajasthan State Biotech Policy Draft Committee and as RIICO Resource Person for Biotech Park development. He has completed multiple specialized training programmes including ICAR Refresher Courses, NATP (National Agricultural Technology Project) Team of Excellence (2002), and training in biosafety, biosensors, and GLC technologies at premier national institutes such as NRCPB (National Research Centre for Plant Biotechnology), IARI, GBPUAT, HAU and MDU.

Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Prof. Sharma has held several significant positions in institutional governance and academic leadership. He served as Member of the Board of Management, MPUAT, Udaipur (2012–2014), Member of the Academic Council, MPUAT, Udaipur (Second Term), and Member of the Senior Officers Council, MPUAT. He was Chairman of the Board of Studies, Fisheries Faculty, MPUAT, Udaipur, and Convener of the Committee of Courses for Biotechnology, MPUAT, Udaipur. He has also served as Member Secretary, IBSC (Institutional Biosafety Committee), MPUAT, Udaipur for two years, and as Chairman of the House Allotment Committee, MPUAT (2012–2013). Additionally, he has served as External Member on Committees of Courses for Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Pure and Applied Chemistry at SKRAU Bikaner, BN University, and Kota University. He was nominated as a Vice Chancellor's Expert in Biotechnology for faculty selections in colleges affiliated to Agra University, and served as a Technical Advisor to the Anthropological Survey of India. He has also served on the Board of Management of St. Gregorious College and St. Gregorious Senior Secondary School, Udaipur.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Prof. Sharma's contributions to research and academia have been recognized through multiple awards. He received the Award for Young Scientists for his Post-Doctoral Program at University of Erlangen, Germany (1992–1994). He was granted State DST's Appreciation under the Students' Voluntary Research Project (2004), and received the Er. S.N. Mishra Award for Research on Environment-Related Issues and Best Scientific Paper published in ARPAN, Kurukshetra University, Haryana (2005). Most recently, he received the Prakriti Premi Award for Research in Environmental Related Issues at the International Prakriti Conference (October 2025). Notably, the Society for Science and Environment, Rajkot, has instituted the "Prof. Vimal Sharma Young Scientist Award" in his recognition, to be awarded annually to the best Ph.D. thesis work on environment presented at their annual conference since 2007.

Prof. Sharma is a member of several professional societies. He is a Life Member and Convenor of the Society of Biological Chemists India (Udaipur Chapter), Fellow of the Society of Science and Environment, Rajkot, Fellow of the Indian Academy of Experimental Biologists, Udaipur, and holds Life Membership in the Society of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, New Delhi; Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists, Kanpur; Nutrition Society of India, Hyderabad; Urolithiasis Society of India, Chandigarh; and Prakriti Research Society, Udaipur. He holds professional fellowships including FISAB, FSSE, and FIAEB.

Editorial & Academic Service

Prof. Sharma has contributed to the scholarly publishing ecosystem through service on editorial boards. He is a Member of the Editorial Board of the Indian Journal of Agricultural Biochemistry (Official Journal of the Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists, Kanpur; Print ISSN: 0970–6399, Online ISSN: 0974–4479). He also serves as Member of the Editorial Board of Studies on Home and Community Sciences (KRE Publishers, New Delhi; ISSN 0973–7189), Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology (ISSN 0973–4643), and Journal of Agricultural Sciences (KRE Publishers, New Delhi; ISSN 0976–6898).

Eligibility for Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof. Vimal Sharma's career exemplifies sustained excellence and multifaceted contributions to higher education and research in agricultural sciences. His over 36 years of dedicated teaching and research, 64 peer-reviewed publications, 3 authored books, guidance of 18 research scholars, leadership of funded research projects benefiting 960 tribal individuals, active participation in faculty development, and institutional governance roles collectively demonstrate a substantial and enduring contribution to academia, research and society. His research spans diverse and contemporary areas including biochemistry, biotechnology, environmental science and aquaculture. The institution of an award in his name by a professional society underscores the respect and recognition he has earned within the academic community.

Prof. Vimal Sharma is eligible for consideration for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Scientific Laurels, in recognition of his significant and sustained contributions to teaching, research, academic leadership, and institutional development over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in agricultural higher education and scientific research.