Delhi University professor Dinabandhu Sahoo has been appointed as the new director of Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) in Imphal by the Central government’s cabinet committee, headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The institute didn’t had a full time director since 2009.
Sahoo, a professor at DU’s Botany department, is known for his work in the field of environment, biotechnology and sustainable development. He is currently serving as the chairman of Kalindi College.
His ongoing research focuses on generating algae based bio-fuel. Member of the global association of algae scientists, Sahoo, believes his experiment can work wonders if the government or oil companies promote algae for capturing dirty emissions.
“I have got another opportunity to work for the country,” he said, adding that
he will continue to do research that serves public interests.The Botany professor has the rare distinction of being the first Indian student to be part of Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica in 1987-88. He was also part of the team which established India’s permanent scientific station “MAITRI” in Antarctica.
He has also worked for the prestigious Smithsonian Institution – a group of museums and research centres administered by the United States government – in Washington, DC.
“He has made two trips to Arctic and has distinction of travelling all the seven continents and five oceans in less than 2 months period,” said IBSD in a press statement.