Dr. A. Bruce Downie, Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, has been selected by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for the Dr. BP Pal Distinguished Chair Award for 2016. The award will permit travel to and in India to interact with Indian scientists also interested in aspects seed biology, to form new and strengthen existing collaborations on seed research, while also providing Downie seminar opportunities presenting aspects of seed research ongoing in his lab. Dr. Downie is very grateful to the INSA committee for this distinction while looking forward to the visit.
The work and life of Dr. BP Pal (May 26, 1906 – September 14, 1989) is honored through this award, established by the Indian National Science Academy, reflecting his contribution to breeding for disease-resistant wheats. He earned his Ph.D. in 1932 from the University of Cambridge, England. He earned his D.Sc. (h.c.) from Panjab, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Haryana Agricultural Universities, and also from BHU and Sardar Patel Universities. He worked as Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi; First Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India’s premier federal agricultural research agency; and Chairman, National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination. He served as a trustee of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, during its formative years. He was elected to the Indian National Science Academy for his work and subsequently, to the Royal Society of London in 1972. Dr. Pal was also an Honorary Fellow, Linnaean Society, London; Foreign Member, Lenin All Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and French Academy of Agriculture; Honorary Member, Japan Academy, Genetics Society of Japan.