Prof. Prem Kumar Uppal is a distinguished veterinary scientist and public health administrator with over 50 years of experience in teaching, research, institutional development and government service. He holds advanced qualifications including a BVSc & AH (1961), MVSc (1963), PhD in Veterinary Microbiology (1969) and a second doctoral degree in Veterinary Pathology (1972) from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Prof. Uppal's distinguished career spans multiple leadership positions of national significance. He served as Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Microbiology at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, and held the prestigious position of Assistant Director General (ADG) Education and ADG Animal Health at ICAR, New Delhi. He was the Founder Director of the National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar and served as Director of the Central Institute of Research on Buffalos, Hisar. As Managing Director of Bhartiya Immunological Biological Corporation, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science, Government of India, he led the establishment of human polio vaccine production capacity for 100 million doses, directly contributing to India's polio eradication programme. He subsequently served as Advisor, Government of Punjab, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries (2013–2018), where his technical guidance contributed to the state receiving multiple national awards.

Research & Publications

Prof. Uppal has developed a comprehensive research profile in veterinary microbiology, animal health, public health, diagnostic virology and vaccine development. His scholarly output includes more than 190 research papers, 100 papers presented at international and national seminars and symposia, 60 additional scientific papers, and 6 books and bulletins. He has served as an examiner for doctoral programmes in India and France, including the University of Cergy-Pontoise, Paris.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

During his 15+ years of teaching career, Prof. Uppal guided 27 Master's and Doctorate students, whose research contributions earned significant recognition. One of his research scholars received the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for work on calf-hood vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease.

Research Projects & Funding

Prof. Uppal coordinated several major international research collaborations, including serving as Project Leader of the Indo-UK research project between ICAR and ODA (Overseas Development Agency, UK) (1988–1993). He was instrumental in developing the Indo-French programme in biotechnology and the Indo-Mongolian research work plan, and participated as a member of the Indian delegation for the Indo-Russian Integrated Long Term Programme.

Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Prof. Uppal has established several landmark institutions and facilities of national importance:

• National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar – established as Founder Director
• Human Vaccine Plant for Polio Vaccine under the Prime Minister mission programme (Department of Biotechnology)
• National Salmonella Reference Centre, Leptospira Centre, Brucella WHO Laboratory, Tuberculosis Laboratory, Anaerobic Laboratory, Mycoplasma Laboratory and Mycology Unit at IVRI, Izatnagar
• New Division of Microbiology at IVRI, Izatnagar
• Bio-containment facility (P3 class 1000) for diagnostic work on viral diseases
• Research Laboratories at Abu Gharib, Baghdad, Iraq (advisory role)
• Under the national project for bovine breeding "Gokul gram" in Punjab: centre of excellence for cattle development, embryo transfer laboratory, semen banks and indigenous cow safari
• Four innovative pig farms and two goat farms with bio-security measures
• State-of-the-art animal house, quality control laboratory and fermenter-based vaccine production facility

As an adviser and consultant, Prof. Uppal developed critical policy documents including the XI Plan policy document for the Animal Health sector (Planning Commission, Government of India), three volumes of biological safety documents for poultry production (2006) for APEDA, and risk assessment documents on animal movement between India and Malaysia, Singapore, and UAE. He contributed to the development of the dossier for obtaining African Horse Sickness freedom status from OIE Paris and the document for establishing Punjab Veterinary University, Ludhiana.

Prof. Uppal has held significant administrative and advisory positions including Chairman of the Xth Plan Planning Commission Subgroup on Animal Disease Control and Certification System, Member Secretary of the Xth Plan Planning Commission Subgroup on WTO, Chairman of the Validation Committee of the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (P4) at IVRI Bhopal, and President of IAVMI. He served as WHO resource person on human polio and hepatitis vaccines, member of OIE missions, and FAO consultant on avian influenza (2010), transboundary diseases (2010), and rinderpest (2011).

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Prof. Uppal has been actively engaged in professional organization and knowledge dissemination. He organized the Indo-German workshop on Food Hygiene and served as Chairman for organizing the International Conference on Immunology at Ludhiana and international conferences on Microbiology (IAVMI 2010–12) at Bangalore and Chennai. He was a Visiting Academic senior staff fellow at the University of Cambridge (1979–80) and held the position of Advisor cum Professor, Department of Biology at Mosul University, Iraq.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Prof. Uppal has received numerous prestigious national and international awards and recognitions throughout his career:

• Shiksha Ratan Award (2012) – the highest educational award
• Distinguished Virologist Bhargava Oration Award (2011) by the Indian Virological Society
• Life Time Achievement Award of IAVMI (2008)
• Distinguished Veterinarian Award (2000) by IAAVR
• Dr. P.G. Pandey Oration Award (2000) of IAVMI
• Dr. C.G. Bhasker Memorial Trust Award (1998)
• Vice-Chancellor P. Richard Masillamony Oration Award (1997)
• ICAR Special Award of Rs. 2 Lakhs (1997) for developing equine influenza vaccine
• President of Iran Special Award and Guest of Honour (1996) for meritorious work in veterinary science
• Special Honour from the Chief Minister of Haryana (1996) for progress and development
• Udyog Ratna Meritorious Industrial Award (1995) for human vaccines
• Dr. C.M. Singh Best Paper Awards (1986, 1996, 1999)
• Nagrik Samman (Distinguished Citizen Honour) of UP (1981)
• Two awards from the University of Mosul, Iraq for diagnostic work on paramyxoviruses
• Regimental Lancet award from 61 Army Cavalry

Prof. Uppal is currently President of the Indigenous and Sahiwal Cattle Society and Patron of IAVMI. His technical advice has been instrumental in elevating animal health and hygienic livestock production systems, contributing to Punjab's recognition with the Glorious Nandi Award by the Government of Telangana and the Best Animal Husbandry State Award (2016) by the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture.

Eligibility for Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof. Prem Kumar Uppal's extensive career spanning over five decades demonstrates exceptional contributions across teaching, research, institutional development and government service. His achievements encompass 190+ research publications, establishment of multiple national institutes and laboratories, development of critical policy documents, international collaboration in animal and human health, and consistent recognition through prestigious national and international awards. His pioneering work in vaccine development, particularly his role as the first veterinarian to head the human polio vaccine launch in India, reflects his distinction in bridging veterinary science with public health.

Based on the substantial credentials, leadership contributions and achievements provided, Prof. Prem Kumar Uppal is eligible for consideration for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Scientific Laurels, in recognition of his transformative contributions to veterinary science, animal health, public health, institutional development and national animal production systems.