Dr. Raman Meenakshi Sundaram is an eminent rice scientist and agricultural research administrator presently serving as Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research. Born on 23 August 1972 in Tamil Nadu, he obtained his B.Sc. (Agri.) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, M.Sc. (Agri.) in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, and Ph.D. in Plant Sciences from University of Hyderabad.
He joined ICAR-IIRR in 1998 through the Agricultural Research Service and has made significant contributions in rice biotechnology, molecular breeding, gene discovery, and marker-assisted breeding for biotic stress resistance and grain quality improvement. He played a key role in the development of several improved rice varieties and breeding lines possessing resistance to major diseases and pests.
Dr. Sundaram has received several prestigious recognitions, including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Hari Om Ashram Trust Award, and PN Behl Award. He is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other professional societies. He has published extensively in reputed national and international journals and continues to provide leadership in advancing rice research, innovation, and capacity building in India.
