National Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Rasappa Viswanathan
FELLOW, ELECTED 2016

Born in Vellalapalayam, Tamil Nadu, India, on 15 April 1963. Educated at Government High School, Paramathy, 1973-78; Kandasamy Kandar Higher Secondary School, Paramathy Velur, 1978-80; Madras University, 1980-83; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, 1983-89; B.Sc. Botany 1983; B.Sc. Agri. 1987; M.Sc. Agri. 1989; Ph.D. 1999.

Scientist, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad, ICAR-SBI, 1991-2000; Senior Scientist & Principal Scientist, 2000-2010; Head, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-SBI, 2010-2022; Director, ICAR-Indian Sugarcane Research Institute, Lucknow 226 002, Uttar Pradesh, India; 2022-2025.

Awards/Honours: Hari Om Ashram Trust Award in Crop and Horticultural Sciences for the biennium 2016-17 from ICAR, 2019; Sir T.S. Venkatraman Award for Outstanding Research Contribution in Sugarcane Agriculture for the biennium 2006-2007, 2008; Dr. M. Puttarudriah Memorial Endowment National Award for the best Plant Protection Research in India, 2012; Biotechnology Overseas Associateship from DBT, 2009; M.S. Pavgi Memorial Award 2020, B.B. Mundkur Memorial Award, 2024; Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi; Sir Syed Ahmed Khan memorial award, Aligarh Muslim University Centenary Award, 2021; Outstanding Alumini Award, TNAU, 2021; Lifetime Contribution Award, Society for Sugar Research and Promotion, 2022; Lifetime Contribution Award, Society for Sugar Research and Promotion, 2022; Kameshwar Sahai Bhargava Oration Award, Indian Virological Society, New Delhi, 2024; 21stProf.S.R.Bose Memorial Award, Indian Mycological Society, 2024; Dr. R.K. Hegde Memorial Lecture Award, UAS, Dharwad, 2024; S.V. Parthasarathy Memorial Lecture Award, SISSTA, Chennai, 2023; Sugar Technologists Association of India-Noel Deerr Gold Medals 2000, 2002, 2022; Sugar Technologists Association of India-Silver Medal 2001, 2023; TNAU Late Janab Peer Mohamed Award and Nathaniel Memorial Award, 2000; Robertson Prize, Food and Agricultural Organization Prize, The Glogstoun Prize and Kees Prize, 1987 (TNAU); Srilochani Varadharajulu Endowment Lectureship, Annamalai Univeristy, 2010; Outstanding Agriculture Scientist Award – 2020, Dr. B. Vasantharaj David Foundation, Chennai, 2020; Member, Pathology Section of International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, Mauritius, 2013-19; Principal Investigator, AICRP on Sugarcane (Pathology), 2011-2024; President-Elect, Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi, 2025;Chief Editor, Indian Phytopathology, 2023-26; Editor-in-Chief, Sugar Tech, 2024-26; Convener, NAAS Chapters, Coimbatore (2018-23) and Lucknow (2023-25).

Fellow: Indian Phytopathological Society 2012; Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology 2013; National Academy of Biological Sciences, 2013; Indian Virological Society 2014; Society for Sugar Research and Promotion, 2019; Society for Sugarcane Research and Development 2020; Indian Mycological Society, Kolkata, 2024; UP Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lucknow, 2024.

Research Areas: Sugarcane Pathology, Molecular Plant Pathology, host-pathogen interactions, Molecular diagnosis

Address: 3A, Raja Illam, Srikrishna Layout, Anandhanagar Extension, PN Pudur (P.O.), Coimbatore 641041, Tamil Nadu; [Tel: Cell: 9442543875; Email: rasaviswanathan@yahoo.co.in; rasaviswanathan@gmail.com]

Dr. K.C. Mehta Memorial Award 2023-2024