Prof Dr Jorg Hacker (right), President of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina – National Academy of Sciences, presents the Fellowship of Leopoldina plaque to Dr Varshney. Also seen in the picture is Prof Dr Jutta Schnitzer-Ungefug (left), Secretary General of the academy.

Dr Rajeev Varshney, Research Program Director – Genetic Gains, was elected member of Leopoldina, German National Academy of Sciences. The academy elected Dr Varshney as its member in 2016 in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements.

During the felicitation ceremony held on 17 May 2017 in Germany, Dr Varshney said, “When I landed in Germany for the first time in 2000 and joined IPK-Gatersleben in January 2001, I never dreamed that one day I would be conferred with the highest scientific honor from Germany. I feel privileged, honored and humbled to receive this. I am very grateful to Prof. Andreas Graner, my mentor and my post-doc supervisor for all his contributions.”

The ICRISAT leadership congratulated Dr Varshney for this prestigious recognition.

The Leopoldina is one of the oldest scientific academies in the world (founded in 1652), committed to free science for the benefit of the people and shaping of the future. The Academy had/has several high profile personalities as its Fellows (including several Nobel Prize Laureates).

Source: ICRISAT Happenings