Prof. (Dr.) Mukund V. Deshpande, Emeritus Scientist and Professor AcSIR, Biochemical Sciences Division, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune who has been appointed as Adjunct Professor at Department of Biotechnology is presently visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra; between 23-30 April, 2017. Prof. Deshpande is a well-known Fungal Biotechnologist with a vast research experience and has to his credit 140 Research papers in National & International Journals, 9 Patents and has guided 20 Ph. D. students.
During his present visit to Department of Biotechnology (DoBT) at the University he shall be delivering 12 General/Special Lectures on various topics of “Fungal Biology”. In his Inaugural Session for the students of B. Tech. and M. Sc. (Biotechnology) he discussed the various facets of Fungal Realm in Biotechnology. He shall also be delivering lectures on topics such as: Biopolymers & Biosensors, Chitinolytic Enzymes: An Appraisal as a Product of Commercial Potential, Novel Groups of Fungi, Fungicides and Antifungals, Bioprospecting of entomo and myco pathogens, Can fungi compete with marine sources for chitosan production, Microbiology of Wine Fermentation, Recent trends in Microbiology & Fungal Dimorphism.
During his week-long visit he shall also have discussions related to research activities with various Research Groups/Faculty Members and Ph. D. students of DoBT. Prof. Deshpande during his interactions with the faculty members and students of various Departments of the University plans to discuss about various possibilities for collaborative research between Faculty members and Scientists at SMVDU and NCL, Pune; respectively. He will also discuss about different industries from Maharashtra which will give training 3-6 months to students which can generate Industry-Academia joint ventures and entrepreneurs which will come forward to use the Incubation Facility of SMVD University under the TBIC venture. The conduct of the lectures were coordinated by Prof. V. Verma, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Head, DoBT and Dr. Sharada Potukuchi, Associate Prof., DoBT under the guidance of Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SMVDU.