Microbiome Event

SRHU NAAC A+ is a leading university of Uttarakhand, located at Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Over 3 decades of legacy and 200 acres of campus it houses  multispecialty Himalayan Hospital, Cancer Research Institute and schools in major educational streams.

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About Conference (19th-20th December 2025)

Since the publication of the first human genome about two decades back, the omics era ushered biological research in all directions, out of which the investigation into microbial communities and human microbiome has been unprecedented. Microbiome by definition constitute all the microbes present in and outside human body, animals, environment and the planet together with their activities including structural elements, gene, expressed gene and proteins, metabolites/signal molecules, and their surrounding environmental conditions. Over time, studies have been done using different model systems to elucidate association between health and diseased conditions. The National Institutes of Health Integrated Human Microbiome Project (iHMP) carried over ten years in two phases studied microbial composition from oral, gut, nasal, vagina and skin, followed by cohorts on microbiome associated pregnancy preterm- birth, IBD and pre-diabetes. The projects revealed new avenues and technologies for future research. The Indian Human Microbiome Project (IHMP) subsequently conceived and funded by the DBT across seven sites mapped the microbiome composition of India’s communities, including 32 tribes and worked out how genetics, diet and environment impact it. It has been planned to develop precision probiotics for the Indian population based on Ayurveda Prakriti phenotypes.

The National Conference on Microbiome & Biota R&D jointly being organized by Swami Rama Himalayan University and the Gut Microbiota and Probiotics Science Foundation aims to share knowledge that has emerged after these large Microbiome Projects and continue the talks between basic and clinical researchers as to how microbiome and biota R & D could help addressing gut health, metabolic disease, pre-term birth, gut-brain axis, special diets for cancer & brain health etc. We believe that the conference may lead to fostering collaboration and knowledge-exchange amongst researchers, clinicians and start-ups addressing India's unique demographies, diverse populations with varying lifestyles, offer a valuable opportunity to study the microbiome and its impact on health and disease, potentially leading to tailored/precision interventions and improved public health outcomes.

Conference Scope

This National conference on Gut Microbiome under Prof. Nirmal K. Ganguly explores the pivotal influence of probiotics and gut microbiota across health domains—from metabolic, gastrointestinal, liver, neurological, oncological, and aging conditions to cosmetic and food based applications—highlighting contributions from leading institutions like Patanjali and Himalaya. It offers a dynamic forum to present cutting edge research, foster academic–industry collaboration, and drive technology and innovation in probiotic formulation, therapeutic strategies, and data driven science communication.

Organising Committee

Chief Patron

Dr. Vijay Dhasmana

Hon’ble President, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, India

Patron

Prof. Rajendra Dobhal

FNASc, Vice Chancellor, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, India

Convener

Dr. Bindu Dey

Director Research, RDC, SRHU, Dehradun, India

Advisory Committee

Prof.  Nirmal K. Ganguly, Former DG-ICMR & President Gut Microbiota and Probiotics Science Foundation, New Delhi

Prof.  Rakesh Bhatnagar, Science Chair, SERB, DST & Former Vice-Chancellor, BHU; Chairman, University Research Advisory Board, SRHU

Dr V. M. Katoch, Former DG-ICMR & Former Secretary, Department of Health Research; Co-chair, University Research Advisory Board, SRHU

Dr Madhu Dixit, Former Director CDRI & Member Task Force AYUSH

Dr Kiran Katoch, Former Director, National JALMA Institute of Leprosy and other Mycobacterial Diseases, Agra

Dr. Vijendra D Chauhan, Director General (Academic Development), SRHU

Dr. Ashok Deorari, Pro-VC, SRHU, Jolly Grant, Dehradun

Lt. Gen. Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, HIMS, SRHU, Jolly Grant, Dehradun

Scientific Committee

Dr Neerja Hajela, Secretary, President Gut Microbiota and Probiotics Science Foundation, New Delhi

Dr Neelam Taneja, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, PGIMER, Chandigarh

Dr Rama Chaudhry, Former Head, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS New Delhi

Prof B.S Ramakrishna, Director, SIMS Institute of Gastroenterology, SRM Institutes of Medical Science, Chennai

Dr. B. Sesikaran, Former Director, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 

Dr Pawan Sharma, Former Faculty, ICGEB, New Delhi

Dr Urmi Bajpai, Professor, ANDC University of Delhi, Delhi

Dr Amjad Husain, Director, HCIe, SRHU,

Dr Sanjay Gupta, Professor & Dean, School of Biosciences, SRHU

Dr Aarti Kotwal, Professor, Department of Microbiology, HIMS, SRHU

Dr Vijay Kumar. Associate Professor, School of Biosciences, SRHU

Guest Speakers

Prof. N.K Ganguly

(Former DG, ICMR)

Prof. Vineet Sharma

(IISER)

Prof. Vineet Ahuja

(AIIMS, New Delhi)

Prof. Amit Awasthi

(iBRIC THSTI)

Prof. Anil Kumar

(iBRIC, NII, New Delhi)

Prof. Dhiraj Dhotre

(iBRIC, NCCS, Pune)

Prof. B. Sesikeran

(Former Director, NIN)

Prof. Naveen k. Navani

(IIT Roorkee)

Prof. Urmi Bajpai

(ANDC,University Of Delhi)

Prof. Neerja Hajela

(GMPSF)

Prof. Pawan Sharma

(Adjunct Professor, IISER)

Prof. Deepak Goel

(D/O Neurology, HIMS,SRHU)

Dr. Ramendra Pati Pandey

(SRM University, Delhi, NCR)

Prof. S.K Verma

(CRI, SRHU, HIMS)

Prof. Bipin Kumar

(Iom Bioworks)

Dr. Paramjeet Panesar

(S.L.I.E.T, Punjab)

Dr. Babhatosh Das

Associate Professor, THSTI

Dr Anurag Varshney

Chief Executive Officer of the Patanjali Research Foundation

Dr Poornima Sharma

Managing Director of BCIL (Biotech Consortium India Limited)

Registration Fee

(Physical mode)

UG/PG/ Research ScholarRs. 500
Teachers/ Scientists/ FacultyRs. 1000
Corporate Delegates/Industry PersonnelRs. 2000

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Starts 1st September, 2025
Registration Starts 1st September, 2025
Abstract Submission Closes 30th November 2025
Intimation of Abstract Acceptance 2nd December 2025.

Register Now

Register Now

Contact for more details

Dr Purandhi Roopmani: 8807632801
Mr. Ayushman Srivastav: 7906737220
E-mail: microbiome2025@srhu.edu.in
   Admissions Form         

Admission Open For 2025

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(Former DG, ICMR)

Dr N.K Ganguly

Dr Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, M.D was formerly a Distinguished Biotechnology Research Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. He was formerly President of the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), as well as that of the Asian Institute of Public Health, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He is the former Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi; former Director, PGIMER (Chandigarh); and former Director, National Institute of Biologicals (Noida). Prof. Ganguly has published more than 775 research papers and has supervised 130 Ph.D theses as Supervisor/Co-Supervisor. His major areas of research have been Tropical Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diarrhoeal Diseases. His interest encompasses the disciplines of Immunology, Biotechnology and Public Health. In 2015 he has been selected for the award of Helmholtz International Fellow by Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Germany for significant contribution to the field of infectious diseases. He has received 118 Awards, including 7 International and 111 National Awards. He has been honoured with the prestigious

Padma Bhushan Award by Her Excellency, the President of India on 26th January, 2008 in the field of “Medicine”.

(IISER)

Dr Vineet Sharma

Dr Sharma has been an Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal since July 2011.The main focus of Dr. Sharma’s lab is to reveal and analyze the human-associated microbiome among the Indian population and carry out comparative studies with different populations to gain functional insights, while also making comparisons with healthy and disease datasets.

(AIIMS, New Delhi)

Dr Vineet Ahuja

Dr. Vineet Ahuja is a Professor of Gastroenterology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He specializes in gastrointestinal and liver conditions, and is recognized as a leading expert in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseas(IBD). He leads the IBD clinic at AIIMS.

(iBRIC THSTI)

Dr Amit Awasthi

Dr Amit Awasthi emerged as the new Secretary of the India Immunology Society after the elections for the Society Office Bearers on 11th October 2018. Dr. Awasthi is currently Associate Professor with THSTI.

(iBRIC, NII, New Delhi)

Dr Anil Kumar

Technology, Roorkee, and his Ph.D. at the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR), New Delhi. He is currently a Staff Scientist at the National Institute of Immunology (NII). His research interests are the microbiome and human cancer. His laboratory aims to delineate this complex interaction among microbiota, bacterial infections, inflammation and carcinogenesis. He also plans to explore the role of bacteria and microbiota and their metabolites in enhancing cancer immunotherapy. He was awarded the CSIR Technology Award in 2012, the Merck Millipore India Innovation Award in 2012, the ‘Young Scientist Award’ from IUBMB in 2006, and the ‘Young Investigator Award’ from HUPO in 2004.

(iBRIC, NCCS, Pune)

Dr Dhiraj Dhotre

Dr Dhiraj Dhotre did his PhD under in NCCS, Pune. He worked as a project scientist from 2009 to 2019 at the National Centre for Microbial Resource, NCCS, Pune. He worked as a Senior Research Scientist in Reliance Life Science Pvt. Ltd. from 2019 before joining NCCS as Scientist D in July 2021. His research focus in last 14 years is in Human microbiome research. He has developed expertise in computational biology and genomics with a master’s degree in bioinformatics from the University of Pune. He has been working in the area of microbial genomics and metagenomics since 2009. He has focused on understanding the metabolic potential of microbes using genomic tools with either pathogenic or beneficial properties. He has developed software tools, web servers, and database management systems to cater to research in microbiology and human microbiome. He has seven national and international research grants and currently working as a PI from NCCS for the INSACOG (COVID genome consortium) project and Indian Human Microbiome Initiative. He published more than 60 research articles and 6 book chapters.

(Former Director, NIN)

Dr B. Sesikeran

Dr B. Sesikeran, Former Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research has been a nutritional pathologist of repute for over 30 years. He has an MBBS degree from Stanley Medical College, Chennai and an MD in Pathology from Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad. He nurtured an interest for Nutrition Sciences right in his student days. In fact, as a student he received the Nutrition Medal from the Department of Community Medicine at Stanley Medical College.He has joined the National Institute of Nutrition in 1977 and has been serving as the Director of the Institute since 2006. He has to his credit over 50 publications in national international journals, 7 chapters in books and monographs, several technical reports, papers in proceedings of conferences and popular articles.

(IIT Roorkee)

Dr Naveen K. Navani

Naveen Kumar Navani serves as the Dean of Academic Affairs at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), bringing extensive experience in education. Their background includes a professorship at IIT Roorkee, demonstrating a commitment to higher education. Prior to this, Naveen contributed to research and development as a Scientist at the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. Their work history also includes postdoctoral research at McMaster University, further solidifying their expertise in research methodologies.

(ANDC,University Of Delhi)

Dr Urmi Bajpai

Dr Urmi Bajpai is a faculty and the founder teacher in-charge of the Department of Biomedical Science, introduced by the University of Delhi at Acharya Narendra Dev College in 1999. She got her PhD degree in Microbiology from the University of Delhi. Her vision and hard work has richly contributed in shaping B.Sc.(Hons) Biomedical Science course. Her focus is on giving hands on training to the students and make them independent learner. She is the pioneer of the Undergraduate research program in the college and has trained about hundred and fifty students since 2007. She has been sanctioned four research projects (funded by Govt of India) with a total grant of Rs. 7.7 Million and has established a well-equipped and modern molecular biology research laboratory. Through crowd sourcing undergraduates, she has developed a repository of gene (75) clones and recombinant proteins (21) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative organism of Tuberculosis.

(GMPSF)

Dr Neerja Hajela

Dr Neerja Hajela has done her Ph. D in Biotechnology and has a special interest in probiotics. She is currently the Head of Science and Regulatory Affairs at Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. She has over 16 years of experience and has worked in organizations like Ranbaxy Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. and Biotech Consortium India Limited (Department of Biotechnology). She is involved in the development, planning, and implementation of scientific programs including clinical trials for the company. She handles all the regulatory issues and ensures compliance related to the category and individual product. She works closely with health care professionals and scientists to advance the science, promote evidence-based clinical use, and improve consumer understanding of probiotics. She is associated with the Asian Federation of Societies for Lactic Acid Bacteria (AFSLAB). She is a member of the Gut Microbiota and Probiotic Science Foundation (India) that aims to establish credibility for the science of intestinal microbiota and probiotics in the country. She is a member of the scientific committee of the Probiotic Association of India. She is also a member of the Governing Council for ILSI-India Knowledge Center for Functional Foods, Gut Health, and Immunity (IKFHI). She has presented at International and National conferences and has several publications in peer-reviewed journals.

(Adjunct Professor, IISER)

Dr Pawan Sharma

Dr Pawan Sharma earned his Ph.D. (Parasite Immunology) from CDRI, Lucknow in 1980, and was a Staff Scientist at CDRI till July 1986. He was a PDF at the Research Institute Scripps Clinic, & Visiting Scientist at the Agouron Institute, both in La Jolla, CA, USA. He served at ICGEB, New Delhi as Sr. Res. Scientist & Principal Investigator, from Feb 1989 to Aug 2011. His area of research was Medical Microbiology (TB & Malaria), Molecular Immunology & Cell Biology. He has published more than 100 research papers/reviews in journals of international repute such as Immunity, PNAS-USA, J Immunol, PLoS Pathogens, JBC, JID, Infect Immun, PLoS ONE, Cell Microbiol, Microbe Infect, Tuberculosis (Edin), Imm Cell Biol, Sci Rep, IJMR, etc. He was a Senior Consultant-Healthcare at the NER-BPMC of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India (2011-2018) and a Visiting Res. Professor at the CVSc-Khanapara, Guwahati, (July 2018-July 2019), contributing to strengthening the biomedical research, education & training, healthcare infrastructure & patient services, and implementing HRD programmes in NER.

(D/O Neurology, HIMS,SRHU)

Dr Deepak Goel

Dr. Goel has received recognition as the best clinician and researcher at the university and was awarded membership in the National Academy of Medical Sciences. He has served as a Principal Investigator for community epilepsy projects funded by ICMR and completed observerships in stroke management, rehabilitation, and epilepsy surgery. He is the author of "Seizure in children step by step management notes" and was elected President of the UP/UK Neuroscience society. He is also a frequent guest speaker at conferences.

(Former Director, NIN)

Dr Ramendra Pati Pandey

Dr Ramendra Pati Pandey is a professor in the Department of Biotechnology at SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonepat, India. He was a FAPESP Post-Doctoral Fellow (from September 2015 to January 2019), a very prestigious fellowship in Latin America at the Department of Medicine-InCor/HC-FMUSP, University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine, Brazil. He was working on new therapies for Chagas disease: using repurposing of drugs acting on the cell invasion and autophagy progression of host cells and potentiation of drug effect using biopolymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery systems against Trypanosoma cruzi. He was a research associate (from September 2013 to August 2015) at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad Gurgaon, India. He and his group identified the transcription factor Foxo1 as essential for IL-9 induction in T helper cells, and this work has been published in Nature Communications Journal. And there was one patent (Application Number (E-5/1022/2016) on the therapeutic evaluation of Compound 1.

(CRI, SRHU, HIMS)

DR S.K Verma

Dr Sanjiv Kumar Verma is a distinguished Professor of Medicine and Incharge of the Medical Oncology Division at the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) within Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) in Dehradun. His expertise lies in Hematology, Infectious Diseases, and Oncology, with extensive experience in the field, having served at SRHU since 1995. Dr. Verma is actively involved in research, including studying the pattern of cancer pain in patients. He is also recognized for his contributions to the field of medicine, having published numerous papers and received awards like the Best Research paper award at the 57th APICON in 2001 and the Best Clinician Award from SRHU in 2009. Dr. Verma is part of the dedicated faculty in the General Medicine department at HIMS, providing comprehensive care and training to medical students and residents. He is recognized as a renowned oncologist at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust, known for providing top-tier treatments and personalized patient care.

(Iom Bioworks)

Dr Bipin Pradeep Kumar

Dr Bipin Pradeep Kumar is the CoFounder and Director at Gaia, a startup in the IoT space focussed on data driven insights. Recently Gaia was recognised for its ML on the Edge work where it created an extremely low footprint service with Microsoft Research and ST Microelectronics. Gaia is the Technology consultant for 3 of India's Smart Cities, has its IoT products in over 105 cities, 32 airports, 200 trains and has won several accolades including recognition as one of India's Emerging 20 companies by the Mayor of London. Earlier, Bipin has been part of large as well as startup up Mobile and Telecom related companies where he has created new products and rolled out services at scale. Dr. Bipin also serves as an Expert with United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business. He is the current Chairman of the Smart City Group for TEC, Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communication and IT, Government of India. Academically, Bipin has a dual MBA from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service & School of Business and ESADE Business School and an MSc from the University of Wales.

(S.L.I.E.T, Punjab)

Dr Paramjeet Panesar

Prof. Parmjit S. Panesar, Department of Food Engineering & Technology was elected as ‘Fellow’ of “Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India)” for the significant contributions to the progress of Food Science and Technology. The honour was conferred by Dr. S Somanath, Chairman, ISRO at ‘9th International Food Convention 2023 (IFCON-2023)’ held at CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru.

THSTI Translational Health Science and Technology Institute

Dr Babhatosh Das

Professor Das is a distinguished scientist with an extensive academic background that bridges Science and Engineering. He holds dual Master's degrees—one in Science from Visva Bharati University and the other in Engineering from IIT-Kharagpur. He earned his PhD in Molecular Biology, followed by post-doctoral research in Microbial Genome Dynamics. Since joining THSTI in 2012, Prof. Das has been at the forefront of pioneering research in metagenomics and the genomics of the human microbiome.

Prof. Das’s research focuses on innovative microbial genome engineering strategies aimed at understanding specific proteins and peptides, and developing peptide-based drugs that target regions of the human gastrointestinal tract. His lab holds a diverse collection of microbial taxa associated with gastroenteritis, sepsis, and both term and preterm birth.

Chief Executive Officer of the Patanjali Research Foundation

Dr Anurag Varshney

Dr Anurag Varshney serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Patanjali Research Foundation, where he provides strategic leadership for its diverse scientific initiatives. A seasoned professional with extensive expertise in scientific administration, he is dedicated to bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific inquiry. Under his guidance, the foundation focuses on validating traditional knowledge through rigorous modern research in areas like drug discovery, herbal chemistry, pharmacology, and nanosciences. Currently leading drug discovery and development at the Patanjali Research Institute in Haridwar, Dr. Varshney also holds a position as Adjunct Faculty at Jawaharlal Nehru University's Special Centre for Systems Medicine, further cementing his commitment to evidence-based holistic healthcare.
Managing Director of BCIL (Biotech Consortium India Limited)

Dr Poornima Sharma

Dr Purnima Sharma is Managing Director of BCIL (Biotech Consortium India Limited), bringing extensive leadership and expertise to the biotechnology sector. A seasoned professional with a rich background in science and technology management, she has been instrumental in driving innovation and facilitating industry-academia partnerships. Under her guidance, BCIL strengthens the biotech ecosystem by providing crucial funding, consultancy, and commercialization support to startups and research institutions. Dr. Sharma is passionately dedicated to fostering growth and translating scientific discoveries into impactful solutions for a sustainable future
Nursing Advisor at Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan

Dr. Kathleen M. McKeehan is a highly regarded American nursing leader and researcher who has dedicated decades to advancing nursing education and clinical practices at the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) and Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) in Dehradun, India. Serving as the Nursing Advisor, she has been instrumental in shaping the Himalayan College of Nursing into a center of excellence, emphasizing the integration of compassionate care with modern medical technology.

Dr. McKeehan’s academic background is extensive, including a Ph.D. in nursing from the Case Western Reserve University and post-doctoral research at Ohio State University. Before her long-term commitment to the Himalayan Institute, she held prestigious academic positions, such as the Dorothy Rider Pool Professorship at Allentown College. Her research expertise spans oncology nursing, continuing education strategies, and innovation diffusion in healthcare settings.

At HIHT, she is a central figure in tradition and mentorship, often leading the symbolic Lamp Lighting and Oath Ceremony for new nursing students. Her work focuses on fostering a vibrant research culture and ensuring that nursing curricula meet international standards while remaining rooted in the visionary humanitarian principles of the institute's founder, H.H. Dr. Swami Rama.

Former Director, LBSNAA

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.)

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS Retd.) is a distinguished former Indian Administrative Service officer (1985 batch, West Bengal cadre), historian, and author. He is most widely recognised for his tenure as the Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) from 2019 until his retirement in March 2021. Throughout his 36-year bureaucratic career, he served in high-profile roles, including Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal and Secretary of Industrial Development in Uttarakhand.

Since retiring, Dr. Chopra has emerged as a prominent literary figure and public intellectual. He is the Founder and Festival Director of Valley of Words, an international literature and arts festival based in Dehradun. An acclaimed author, his works include We, the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India’s Internal Boundaries (2022) and The Great Conciliator: Lal Bahadur Shastri and the Transformation of India (2025).

He holds a PhD in Management and has been a fellow at prestigious institutions like Cornell University and the World Bank. Currently, he continues to contribute as a columnist for ThePrint and serves as a Senior Fellow in Contemporary History at the Prime Ministers' Memorial and Library.

FRSB, FRSB

Prof. Graham Roy Ball

Prof. Graham Roy Ball, FRSB, is a distinguished expert in bioinformatics and computational systems biology. He currently serves as a Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), where he is the Director of the Medical Technology Research Centre. He also holds a significant role as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Intelligent OMICS Ltd, a company specializing in AI-driven biomedical discovery.

Prof. Ball's work focuses on applying Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and machine learning to solve complex biological problems. His research spans cancer systems biology, drug discovery, and the development of "molecular digital twins" for disease states. He is particularly noted for his work on the Nottingham Prognostic Index Plus (NPI+), a system that uses biomarkers to improve breast cancer patient stratification.

Before joining ARU, he was a Professor of Bioinformatics at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) for over two decades, where he led the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre’s biostatistics efforts. He has published more than 280 journal papers and holds multiple patents in the field of AI and omics data analysis. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB) and serves on the editorial boards of prominent journals like Proteomics.

Prof. & Researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Vinay Nadkarni

Dr. Vinay Nadkarni, MD, MS, is a world-renowned leader in pediatric critical care and resuscitation science. He serves as a Professor and Endowed Chair at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He is the founding director of the CHOP Academy for Resuscitation of Children and the Center for Simulation, Advanced Education and Innovation.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Nadkarni has served as President of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (2023-2024) and Co-Chair of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). His research focuses on advancing CPR quality, sepsis management, and pediatric life support, contributing to over 850 peer-reviewed publications. He has also been a key figure in global health initiatives, including the ABC Stop the Bleed program in India and missions with Operation Smile.

Dr. Nadkarni has received numerous accolades, such as the American Heart Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the AAP Distinguished Career Award. He continues to mentor over 150 clinician-scientists while leading international efforts to strengthen the "chain of survival" for critically ill children worldwide.

Former Director General, UCOST

Mr. Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal

Mr. Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal is a highly accomplished civil servant and technocrat who served an illustrious 29-year tenure in the Industries Department of the Government of Uttarakhand. While he is often associated with leadership in state councils, he is most distinguished for his role as the Director of Industries. During his service, he was instrumental in positioning Uttarakhand as a leader in the MSME and Startup sectors.

A leather technology engineer from HBTU Kanpur with a Master’s in Economics, Nautiyal’s career spanned the private sector, public sector banking, and the Ministry of MSME. He is credited with leading the state to secure the first position in the North India Geographical Indication (GI) festival in 2022, successfully promoting indigenous products like Munsiyari Rajma and Ringal Craft.

Currently, he serves as a member of the Pravasi Uttarakhandi Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office, where he continues to facilitate investment and entrepreneurship for the state’s diaspora. His proactive approach has made him a respected figure in Indian industrial circles, recently earning him recognition at the Raj Bhavan for his lifelong contributions.

Former Fellow University of Liverpool, United Kingdom

Prof. Prabhu Narayan Mishra

Prof. Prabhu Narayan Mishra is a renowned Management Guru and academician with over 40 years of experience in teaching, research, and consulting. He is particularly recognized for his tenure as a Fellow in the Department of Economics & Accounting at the University of Liverpool, UK, where he served from 1996 to 1997. His international academic footprint also includes serving as a Senior Visiting Faculty at Tulane University, USA.

In India, Prof. Mishra has held several prestigious positions, including Director of the Institute of Management Studies (IMS) and officiating Vice Chancellor of Devi Ahilya University, Indore. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Allahabad and is widely known for pioneering the study of Indian Ethos in Management, blending ancient Vedic wisdom with modern business theories.

A prolific scholar, he has supervised numerous doctoral students and authored several books and research papers. Prof. Mishra is also a dedicated philanthropist, serving as the Founder President of organizations like the Shri Krishna Foundation and Utkarsha, which focus on spiritual wisdom and community development. His multifaceted career is marked by prestigious awards, including the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship and the United Nations Fellowship.

Ex Director, National JALMA

Prof. Kiran Katoch

Prof. Kiran Katoch is a highly respected academic researcher and medical scientist who served as the Director of the National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases (NJILOMD) in Agra. With over four decades of experience, she has been a leading figure in the research and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in India. Her work is characterized by a unique focus on bridging clinical medicine with laboratory research to improve patient outcomes in mycobacterial infections.

A prolific scientist, Prof. Katoch has authored or co-authored over 150 research publications in prestigious national and international journals. Her seminal contributions include studies on the efficacy of multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy and the investigation of cardiovascular involvement in leprosy patients. For her outstanding research, she was honored with the Dr. C. G. S. Iyer Oration Award in 1989.

Beyond her administrative and research roles, she has served as the Editor of the Indian Journal of Leprosy and the President of the Tuberculosis Association of India (TAI). Even after her tenure as Director, she remains active as an ICMR Distinguished Scientist Chair, continuing to advocate for integrated health systems and innovative research to solve local health challenges.

Executive-in-Residence, S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research

Mr. Prabhat Pani

Mr. Prabhat Pani is a distinguished corporate leader and academician with over 40 years of experience, currently serving as an Executive in Residence and Executive Director of the Centre for Impact in Sustainable Development at SPJIMR, Mumbai. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, he began his career with the Tata Administrative Services (TAS) and has held numerous leadership roles across the Tata Group.

His corporate journey includes serving as the CEO of Ginger Hotels (Roots Corporation Ltd) and as the Executive Director of Taj SATS Air Catering. He also spent significant time in the telecom sector, holding senior roles at Tata Teleservices, Airtel, and BPL Cellular. Prior to his academic transition, he served as Head of Partnerships & Technology at Tata Trusts, where he led large-scale social impact initiatives.

At SPJIMR, Pani focuses on Sustainable Development and social sector interventions, bridging the gap between corporate efficiency and developmental needs. He is also a Senior Advisor at The Conference Board and continues to mentor social sector professionals. His work remains centered on building institutional capacity and leveraging technology for broad-based community impact.

Media Executive & Board Member, Times Group

Mr. A.P. Parigi

Mr. A.P. Parigi, is a veteran leader in the Indian media, entertainment, and telecommunications sectors with over 40 years of experience. He is most widely recognized as the Co-Founder of Radio Mirchi, where he served as the Managing Director and CEO of Entertainment Network India Ltd. (ENIL). Under his leadership, Radio Mirchi grew into India's largest private FM radio network, fundamentally changing the country's audio landscape.

Throughout his career, Parigi has held several high-profile roles, including Group CEO of Network18, CEO of BPL Mobile, and MD & CEO of Eros International Media. His strategic vision also spearheaded the Times Group’s entry into the Out-of-Home (OOH) media business. Beyond corporate leadership, he has served on the boards of major entities like Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India) and has been an advisor to global institutions such as the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

An alumnus of the Delhi School of Economics and the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi, Parigi was the first non-American to receive the Rensselaer Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2009. Today, he continues to mentor next-generation leaders and advise organisations on growth, corporate governance, and digital transformation.

Former Director, IHBT

Dr. Sanjay Kumar

Dr. Sanjay Kumar, FNA, is a distinguished agricultural biotechnologist and the former Director of the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT). Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), where he oversees the selection of top-tier scientific talent for India’s agricultural research sector. His leadership is defined by a commitment to converting high-end biotechnology into sustainable livelihoods for farmers in the Himalayan region.

During his tenure at CSIR-IHBT, Dr. Kumar achieved major milestones, including the historic introduction of Heeng (asafoetida) and monk fruit cultivation in India. His research spans plant molecular biology and genomics, specifically focusing on how Himalayan flora adapts to extreme environments. A fellow of all three major Indian science academies (FNA, FNASc, and FNAAS), he has published over 120 research papers. His work continues to play a vital role in strengthening India's bio-economy and ensuring long-term food security through innovation.

Pro-Chancellor, Perdana University, Malaysia

Dr. Mohan Swami 

Dr. Mohan Swami is a distinguished physician, entrepreneur, and educational visionary who currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Perdana University, Malaysia. A graduate of Mysore University, India, he began his medical career in 1978. He initially gained prominence in Sabah, where he established the largest private medical group practice, laying the foundation for his extensive career in healthcare management and corporate leadership.

Dr. Swami is widely recognized as the driving force behind the establishment of Perdana University in 2011. Under his leadership, the institution launched as a landmark public-private partnership, collaborating with world-class entities like the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Beyond academia, he is the Executive Chairman of Chase Perdana Sdn Bhd and has held significant leadership roles in various multinational corporations across the healthcare, property, and hospitality sectors.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Swami is a deeply spiritual individual. He serves as the President of the AHYMSIN (Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International) and Chancellor of Swami Rama Himalayan University. For his immense contributions to education and the Malaysian economy, he was conferred the title of Tan Sri. He also serves as the Honorary Consul of Botswana in Malaysia, bridging international relations through diplomacy and philanthropy.

Mahamandleshwar Juna Akhara

Swami Avdheshanand

Swami Avdheshanand is one of India’s most influential spiritual leaders and the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, the largest order of Hindu monks. Born on November 24, 1962, in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, he displayed a profound spiritual inclination from childhood. Seeking higher truths, he renounced worldly life at a young age to practice intense meditation and austerity as a hermit in the Himalayas.

His teachings are rooted in Advaita Vedanta, focusing on self-realization, universal brotherhood, and the harmony of all religions. Beyond his role as a monastic leader, he is a globally respected philosopher who has addressed the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, advocating for global peace and environmental sustainability.

As the founder of Prabhu Premi Sangh, he oversees extensive social welfare projects, including healthcare initiatives, educational programs for the underprivileged, and environmental conservation efforts like the "Green Kumbh." A prolific author and orator, his discourses reach millions via television and digital platforms. Known for his serene demeanor and intellectual depth, Swami Ji continues to bridge the gap between ancient Vedic wisdom and modern global challenges, guiding seekers toward a life of purpose and spiritual clarity.