Paramjit Khurana facts for kids

Paramjit Khurana, born on August 15, 1956, is a leading Indian scientist. She specializes in Plant Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, and Genomics. She is currently a Professor at the University of Delhi. Her important work helps make plants stronger and better. She has received many awards and published over 125 scientific papers.

About Paramjit Khurana

Early Life and Education

Paramjit Khurana studied at the University of Delhi. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Botany in 1975. She then completed her Master of Science (M.Sc.) in 1977. In 1978, she received her Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree. She finished her studies with a Ph.D. in Botany in 1983.

Career Journey

Khurana started her career as a scientist in 1983. She worked at the University of Delhi's Plant Cell and Molecular Biology Unit. From 1984 to 1987, she taught at S.G.T.B. Khalsa College. She also worked as a research associate in the U.S. at Michigan State University in 1987-1988.

After returning to India, she became a lecturer in 1989. She then became a reader in 1990 and a professor in 1998. All these roles were in the Department of Plant Molecular Biology at the University of Delhi. She even led this department from 2004 to 2007.

Amazing Plant Discoveries

Professor Khurana's work focuses on making plants better. She has done a lot of research on wheat and mulberry plants. She found ways to make Indian wheat resistant to tiny worms called cereal cyst nematodes. She also helped wheat handle tough conditions like too much salt or not enough water.

Her team developed special mulberry plants. These plants can grow well even when there is salt or drought. This means farmers can grow crops in more places. Her research helps create "all-weather crops." These crops can grow in different climates. This helps India produce more food. She even helped map the genes of rice, tomato, and mulberry plants.

Professor Khurana has also guided many students. She has mentored 15 Ph.D. students and 20 Master's students. She hopes her scientific discoveries will help everyone.

Awards and Recognition

Paramjit Khurana has received several honors for her work.

• She received the 'Certificate of Honour' in 2011. This award was given by the Gantavaya Sansthan.
• She also won the Professor Archana Sharma Memorial Award. This was from the Indian Science Congress Association in 2011-2012.

Fellowships

Khurana has been recognized by several important science academies.

• She became a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India in 2003.
• In 2010, she became a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences.
• She was made a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 2014.
• She also received the Prof. J.C. Bose Fellowship from 2012 to 2017. This was from the Government of India.