Prof Rajesh Singh, currently working as Vice Chancellor of Purnea University, Purnea, Bihar & Vice Chancellor of BBA Bihar University Muzaffarpur, Bihar . Earlier Prof Singh joined as Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding since November 2006. He has over 29 years experience in teaching, research and extension in Central University (BHU), State University (GBPUAT, Pantnagar) as well as Central Institutions (Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi). He has been holding important charges of Coordinator/Head of Plant Biotechnology, Chairman Press Publication and Publicity Cell of BHU (equal to dean), Secretary-cum-Coordinator of a 50 million dollars International Project "Agriculture Innovation Partnership" funded by US AID (American Embassy) involving five American and three Indian universities, BHU being leading University. Dr Singh has taught for over 25 years at under-graduate and postgraduate levels in BHU, Varanasi and GBPUT, Pant Nagar and guided over 60 students of Master's and Doctoral level research so far. He has successfully generated external funding to the tune of about Rs 70 crores through 25 competitive grant external projects of national and international importance. He has developed and released 16 crop varieties/patent. He planned and executed 12 explorations for collection and conservation of about 4000 multi-crop germplasm. He has accepted consultancy of establishing DNA finger printing labs of UP and Bihar state government and was also pioneer in successfully establishing five new biotechnology labs. Dr Singh was instrumental in reforming / initiating several courses in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Molecular Breeding, Plant Breeding, Cyto-genetics, Microbial Genetics, etc including, successfully starting a new course of M.Sc (Plant Biotechnology) by planning, preparing and executing the course curriculum as per guide lines of UGC and ICAR. Prof Singh has been conferred with several awards including SEE Fellow Award, Best Scientist cum Field Worker Award, Kisan Sewa Award, Young Plant Biotechnologist Award, Best Scientist Award, Innovation Award, Excellence Award, etc. He has published about 250 publications including 105 peer reviewed research papers and 21 books/bulletin and manuals of national and international importance.
