Srinagar, Aug 05: Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, has been assigned the additional charge of Director, CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow.
According to an official memorandum issued by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on August 3, 2026, the arrangement has been made following the voluntary retirement of Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, former Director, CSIR-NBRI. Dr. Ahmed will hold the additional charge until a regular Director is appointed or until further orders, while continuing to serve as Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu.
An eminent scientist with over 28 years of research experience in drug discovery and natural product research, Dr. Ahmed has made significant contributions in the areas of inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Under his leadership, CSIR-IIIM has played a key role in national flagship initiatives such as the CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission, Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission.
Dr. Ahmed has also been closely associated with the Purple Revolution through the promotion of lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir and has contributed to the establishment of Industrial Biotech Parks at Ghatti in Kathua and Handwara. He has published over 150 research papers, guided several doctoral scholars and holds multiple patents.
In recognition of his contributions to science and innovation, Dr. Ahmed has received several prestigious honours, including the UT Level Tribal Award in Science and Technology (2022), the CSIR Knowledge Partnership Award (2023), the Maharaja Hari Singh Award for Excellence (2024), the Prominent Alumni Award from the University of Jammu (2025), the Indian Army’s Award of Appreciation for Excellence in Science and Technology (2025), and the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar as a Team Member of the CSIR Aroma Mission (2025).
CSIR–NBRI, Lucknow, is one of the country’s premier research institutions dedicated to plant sciences, medicinal plants, biodiversity conservation, taxonomy and the sustainable utilisation of botanical resources.
