Lucknow: Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, Zabeer Ahmed on Sunday assumed the additional charge as director of the Lucknow-based CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP).The additional responsibility was assigned to him upon completion of the tenure of former director Prabodh Kumar Trivedi. He will hold the additional charge until a regular director is appointed or until further orders are issued.
Officials stated that the interim arrangement is aimed at ensuring leadership continuity and the smooth progress of ongoing scientific programmes. With over 28 years of research experience in drug discovery Ahmed made significant contributions in inflammatory and metabolic disorders, including diabetes, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis.He led the implementation of major govt of India missions such as the CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission, Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission and played a key role in the Purple Revolution through lavender cultivation.Several successful start-ups and translational projects emerged under his leadership. He was also instrumental in establishing two Industrial Biotech Parks at Ghatti (Kathua) and Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir.An accomplished scientist, Ahmed published over 150 peer-reviewed research papers, guided 15 PhD and 65 postgraduate students and holds 15 patents.
