National Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Prof. Channapatna Sundar Prakash
PRAVASI FELLOW, ELECTED 2026

Born in Bangalore, India on 14 April 1956. Educated at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. B.Sc. (Ag.) 1977; M.Sc. (Ag.) 1979; Ph.D. 1985.

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA. From 2015 to date.

Faculty at Tuskegee University since 1989. Professor since 2001. Visiting Scientist, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 1996. Postdoctoral Fellow University of Kentucky, USA 1985-1989.

Awards/Honours: 2024: Charles Valentine Riley distinguished lecture in agriculture, AAAS and World Food Foundation; Washington DC; 2022: Named ‘Biotech Food Hero’ by Crop Life International; 2022: Winner of the inaugural ‘Foodfluencer’ award by the US Soybean Export Council; 2015: Borlaug ‘Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)’ Communication Award . According to CAST, Dr. Prakash has “arguably done more than anyone else in academia or industry to promote agricultural technologies that can help feed the world’s growing population.; 2015: Named as ‘Science Hero - Warrior of Science’ by the International Food Information Council.; 2014: Named Top 30 Social Influencers in Biotech and Pharma by the Huffington Post, based on popularity, topical footprint, and social influence using such metrics by Evolve!, a marketing/polling firm; 2014: Elected Fellow of the American College of Nutrition.; 2013: Morrison-Evans Outstanding Scientist Award for outstanding lifetime contribution to agricultural research by the Association of 1890 Research Directors.; 2011: Award of ‘Appreciation for Service to Agricultural Biotechnology,’ US-EPA (Research Triangle Park).; 2010: Commemorative Award from the President of Zambia, His Excellency Hon. Rupiah Banda; 2006: Named one of the ‘Top Personalities Who have made the Most Significant Contribution to Biotech’ by Nature Biotechnology: Who's who in biotech - Some of the biotech's most remarkable and influential personalities from the past ten years.; 2005: Named one of the 100 Top Living Contributors to Biotechnology by The Scientist (chosen by peers via polling).; 2005: Named one of the Pioneers, Visionaries, and Innovators behind the Progress and Promise of Plant Biotechnology by the Council for Biotechnology Information.; 2003- Invited by Nature journal, the Welcome Trust, and Sanger Institute to write a reflective essay on the Impact of DNA discovery on - ag biotech for the book Celebrating 50 Years of DNA 1953-2003. Sir Francis Crick and Tony Blair are among other writers.; 2003: Invited to deliver the Julian Simon Lecture by the Liberty Institute in New Delhi. 2002: Man of the Year in Service to Alabama Agriculture, named by Progressive Farmer Magazine.; 2000: USDA Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Committee member (2002).; 2000: Appointed to the Government of India Department of Biotechnology Advisory Committee (-2004).; 2000: Speaker, E. T. York Distinguished Lecture Series in Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to Science & Humanity; Auburn University; 1995: Russell W. Brown Award for scientific excellence, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; 1994: Faculty Performance Award recognizing one faculty member across the university for outstanding achievement - by Tuskegee University (1994); 1979: Gold Medal for Academic Excellence in Master's Degree, University of Agricultural Science, India

Fellow: American Associaton for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). American College of Nutrition.

Research Areas: Plant Breeding, Genomics, Genetics, Disease Resistance, Public Policy

Address: Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Tuskegee University, Kenney Hall, Tuskegee, AL 36088 USA; 2678 Cool Stone Bend, Dr. Auburn, AL 36832, USA; [Tel: Off. +1-334-724-4920; Cell: +1-3344447884; Email: cprakash@tuskegee.edu]