PhD Graduate wins top scientific award

Dr Ranjan Bhattacharyya won the internationally recognised Golden Jubilee Young Scientist Award from the Indian Society of Soil Science.

The award will be presented to Ranjan during the 75th Annual Convention of the Society, to be held in Bhopal, India, during the Conference from November 14-17 2010.

Ranjan was selected for the award for his outstanding contribution to soil science in the Indian Himalayas over a decade.

He and his colleagues at the Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture (VIHA) in Almora, India, have made internationally-recognised advances in improving the management of soil and crop systems in the Indian Himalayas to try and slow the rate of global warming.

Ranjan said: “I am extremely delighted to be named as one of the best young soil scientists of my country. I am thankful to the Indian Society of Soil Science for choosing me and to everyone who supported me for the realisation of the research work in this remote mountainous area. Sincere gratitude is also credited to Professor Mike Fullen, who improved many of our draft papers for their subsequent publication in international journals."

Professor Mike Fullen, who was the Director of Ranjan’s Ph.D. programme said: “Ranjan is an excellent, dedicated and hard working researcher. His work has and is making a valuable contribution to soil and water conservation in Asia and beyond and is helping to tackle the global issue of climate change.”

Ranjan was selected as winner of the Asian Scientist of the Year 2009 by the World Association for Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC).

Ranjan received a studentship from 2006 to 2009 from the EU-funded BORASSUS Project to pursue his Ph.D. and graduated in 2009 from the School of Applied Sciences.

ENDS

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