Nadesa Panicker Anil Kumar, a 2007 participant in the Watson International Scholars of the Environment Program, is director of the biodiversity program of the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in India. As director, he provides:
* leadership and representation of the program
* technical program support (to all sites)
* program implementation oversight
Kumar received his PhD in systematic botany from Calicut University and his MSc degree in botany from Kerala University in Kerala. He is the author of Floristic Studies of Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India.
His most recent research includes a regional survey of wild edible plant species and rare, endemic, and threatened plant species of the Western Ghat region in India. He is also involved in a series of initiatives that facilitate sustainable agricultural and rural development in the region.
As a scientist in biodiversity, he has published 16 research papers, two books, 21 extension publications, and 11 popular articles in subjects including biodiversity, conservation, ethnobotany, and floristics/taxonomy. As a recognized PhD advisor at the University of Madras for systematic botany, he has contributed greatly toward the understanding of threatened angiosperm plant species of his country.
Kumar participated in the Scholars Online project of the Choices Education Program, an outreach arm of the Watson Institute that brings curriculum and scholarship to secondary schools. View video clips of Kumar here.
Contact info:
M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
III Cross Road
Taramani Institutional Area
Chennai - 600 113 - India
E-mail: anil_maruthur2002@yahoo.com
