Deepak Pental
Encyclopedia
Deepak Pental is a Professor of Genetics and the Ex Vice Chancellor at the University of Delhi
. He is a noted researcher whose current research interests lie in development of transgenics and marker-assisted breeding of crops. He took charge of the post of Vice-chancellor of the University succeeding Professor Deepak Nayyar
on 1 September 2005. As the VC, Pental has outlined his agenda to update the library system, work on teachers’ recruitment, increase student accommodation facilities and bring researchers working abroad to India.
, Panjab University, Chandigarh
in 1971 and 1973 respectively. Snd subsequently he did his Ph.D.
from Rutgers University
, USA in 1978.He also holds a diploma in Gandhian Philosophy from Punjab University.
Pental was a Postdoctoral and University Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham
from 1978-84. He returned to India to join Tata Energy Research Institute
(TERI) in 1985 and in 1993 he joined the University of Delhi, South Campus as Professor of Genetics
. Pental had been Director of the University of Delhi, South Campus from 2000-2005. From 2005-2010 he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
and cotton
. He has published more than sixty research papers in the national and international peer reviewed journals and his work has led to major breakthroughs in hybrid seed
production technologies. Pental is a keen student of social science policy particularly related to the field of agriculture. Years back Pental got Punjab University medal for diploma in Gandhian Philosophy which shows his interest in social sciences
and Gandhian thought.
Some of his works are described below:
University of Delhi
The University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
. He is a noted researcher whose current research interests lie in development of transgenics and marker-assisted breeding of crops. He took charge of the post of Vice-chancellor of the University succeeding Professor Deepak Nayyar
Deepak Nayyar
Dr.Deepak Nayyar is Professor of Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has taught at the University of Oxford, the University of Sussex, the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta , and the New School for Social Research, New York. He was Vice Chancellor of the University of...
on 1 September 2005. As the VC, Pental has outlined his agenda to update the library system, work on teachers’ recruitment, increase student accommodation facilities and bring researchers working abroad to India.
Education and employment
Pental completed his B.Sc.(Hons) and M.Sc.(Hons.) from the Department of BotanyBotany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Panjab University, Chandigarh
Panjab University is one of the oldest universities in India. The university campus is residential, spread over an area of in sectors 14 and 25 of the city of Chandigarh...
in 1971 and 1973 respectively. Snd subsequently he did his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
, USA in 1978.He also holds a diploma in Gandhian Philosophy from Punjab University.
Pental was a Postdoctoral and University Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
from 1978-84. He returned to India to join Tata Energy Research Institute
The Energy and Resources Institute
The Energy and Resources Institute, commonly known as TERI , established in 1974, is a research institute based in New Delhi focusing its research activities in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development.-Introduction:TERI is an independent, not-for-profit, research institute...
(TERI) in 1985 and in 1993 he joined the University of Delhi, South Campus as Professor of Genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
. Pental had been Director of the University of Delhi, South Campus from 2000-2005. From 2005-2010 he was the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Research work
Pental’s research interests lie in breeding of mustardMustard plant
Mustards are several plant species in the genera Brassica and Sinapis whose small mustard seeds are used as a spice and, by grinding and mixing them with water, vinegar or other liquids, are turned into the condiment known as mustard or prepared mustard...
and cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
. He has published more than sixty research papers in the national and international peer reviewed journals and his work has led to major breakthroughs in hybrid seed
Hybrid seed
In agriculture and gardening, hybrid seed is seed produced by cross-pollinated plants. In hybrid seed production, the crosses are specific and controlled. The advantage of growing hybrid seed compared to inbred lines comes from heterosis...
production technologies. Pental is a keen student of social science policy particularly related to the field of agriculture. Years back Pental got Punjab University medal for diploma in Gandhian Philosophy which shows his interest in social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
and Gandhian thought.
Some of his works are described below:
- “Development of Transgenics in Four Major Crops – Cotton, Rice, Mungbean and Tomato for Resistance to Biotic Stresses” funded by Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
- “Functional Genomics in Plants: Development and Use of the Technologies for Gene Discovery and Expression Modulation” funded by The New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI).
- Edited a special issue of Current Science (Vol. 84, 2003) on Transgenic Crops. He also contributed three articles in the same volume.
- Contributed an article “Transgenic Crops for Indian Agriculture: An Assessment of Their Relevance and Effective Use” in ‘Policy and Institutional Issues and Challenges in Indian Agriculture’ ed: Dr. Ramesh Chand, OxfamOxfamOxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
, In Press.
Awards & recognition
- Awarded a Punjab University gold medal for first position in Diploma in Gandhian Philosophy.
- Awarded a Biotechnology Career Fellowship in 1986 by the Rockefeller FoundationRockefeller FoundationThe Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
to work at the Max-Planck Institute in KolnKOLNKOLN, digital channel 10, is the CBS affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska. It operates a satellite station, KGIN, on digital channel 11 in Grand Island. KGIN repeats all KOLN programming, but airs separate commercials...
. - In 2004 he was awarded Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
Fellowship which he could not avail due to his administrative responsibilities. - Elected member of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy.
- Member Governing body of CSIR.
- Member editorial board of Journal of Biosciences and Current Science.
- Member of various Project Advisory Committees in DST and DBT from 1986 onwards.
- Member of RAC of CIMAP and IHBT
- In 2007 he was awarded ‘Officier Des Palmes Academiques‘ for contributions to Research and Education by the Government of Republic of France.
External links
- Vice Chancellor page Delhi University
- http://ictpi08.in/uploads/downloads/DeepakPental.pdf