SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir’s Scientist Dr Khalid Zaffar Masoodi, along with his PhD scholar Shivani, has been conferred the prestigious ‘DESIGN for BioE3 Challenge’.
Associate Professor, Division of Plant Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Srinagar,
The award has been instituted by BIRAC–BRIC under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and recognises cutting-edge innovations aligned with India’s vision of a sustainable, circular and clean bio-economy. Among 560 applications received from across the country, the SKUAST-K team secured a place among the Top 10 innovators nationally, and was awarded a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
The work of Dr Masoodi, an associate professor at SKUAST-K’s Division of Plant Biotechnology was adjudged for its scientific excellence, originality and strong societal relevance, marking a major milestone for biotechnology research emerging from the Kashmir Valley.
ViceChancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, congratulated Dr Masoodi and his research scholar Shivani on the achievement and lauded their contribution towards developing biotechnology-driven solutions with national relevance. He said such recognitions reflect the robust research and innovation ecosystem at SKUAST-K, which is ranked among the leading agricultural universities in the country.
Dr Khalid Zaffar Masoodi is a noted innovator with 11 granted patents to his credit and has made consistent contributions in the field of translational research. His work has helped position SKUAST-K prominently on India’s innovation map.
One of the team’s flagship innovations, TaxO, a plant-based functional food developed at SKUAST-K, has attracted national and international attention for its novel diet-based approach in the prevention and management of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The award was conferred in recognition of the team’s work demonstrating that TaxO targets the androgen receptor, a key molecular driver in prostate cancer progression.