Kochi, Dec 28 (FN Agency) Two scientists of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have received prestigious recognitions from the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), in a testament to CMFRI’s significant role in advanced research in fisheries science. Dr Eldho Varghese, Senior Scientist was elected as a NAAS Fellow, while Dr Sumithra T G, Scientist, was selected as a NAAS Associate, for their outstanding contributions to agricultural research in their respective field.The NAAS is a national-level body devoted to agricultural sciences. The ‘Fellows’ of the Academy are awarded to distinguished personalities in the field of
Agriculture and Allied Sciences, both from India and abroad for their contributions to science. ‘Associateship’ of the Academy was introduced for young scientists below 40 years of age group, working in agriculture-related disciplines in India. Dr Eldho Varghese was recognised for his significant contributions to the field of statistics with particular emphasis on experimental design tailored for agricultural and fisheries research. His research also focused on statistical and ecosystem modelling, fish stock assessment, application of deep learning models for marine fisheries research, and the development of computational tools for advanced data analysis. On the other hand, Dr Sumithra was honoured for her exceptional research works in fish health and marine microbiology, focusing on marine fish microbiome, fish diseases, and antimicrobial resistance.
Her works led to the development of important guidelines for responsible antibiotic use in aquaculture and eco-friendly technologies for bioethanol production and sustainable fish waste management. The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), established in 1990, focuses on the broad field of agricultural sciences including crop husbandry, animal husbandry, fisheries, agro-forestry, and an interface between agriculture and agro-industry. The Academy’s role is to provide a forum for Agricultural Scientists to deliberate on important issues of agricultural research, education, and extension, and present views of the scientific community as policy inputs to planners, and decision/opinion makers at various levels. The Academy accords recognition to scientists at various levels and encourages cutting-edge research in different fields of agricultural sciences.