Mysore/Mysuru: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi, has appointed Dr. Giridhar Parvatam as the new Director of CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru.

He took charge from the previous Director Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh on Sept. 8.

Dr. Parvatam, 56, currently serves as Chief Scientist and Head of the FSAQCL Department at CFTRI. He holds an M.Sc. in Botany (Microbiology) and a Ph.D from Kakatiya University, Warangal. Since joining CFTRI as Scientist ‘B’ in 1999, he has held several key positions and also serves as a Professor at the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR).

A distinguished researcher in food science, microbiology and biotechnology, Dr. Parvatam is a Fellow of multiple prestigious bodies, including the Royal Society of Biology (UK), the National Academy of Biological Sciences and the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists.

He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, and the Plant Tissue Culture Association of India.

His accolades include the Prof. V. Puri Commemorative Medal (Indian Botanical Society, 2021), Outstanding Scientist Award (Society of Tropical Agriculture) and the Lalji Godhoo Smarak Nidhi Award (AFSTI), among others.

With over 8,000 citations and 217 publications to his credit — including 53 H-index and 141 i10-index papers — Dr. Giridhar Parvatam has authored two books, secured nine patents and commercialised two technologies. He has mentored 17 Ph.D scholars and guided 54 post-graduate dissertations.

Dr. Parvatam’s research spans functional genomics, biochemistry, tissue culture and secondary metabolite studies, with notable contributions to advanced genomics in crops like coffee and soybean. His work continues to shape contemporary food science and plant biotechnology in India.