JAMMU, Aug 5: Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Director of the 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, the arrangement follows the voluntary retirement of Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, the outgoing Director of CSIR-NBRI.
The order states that the Vice President of CSIR has approved the appointment, under which Dr. Ahmed will hold the additional charge until a regular Director is appointed or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will exercise all the powers of the post without any additional remuneration.
Dr. Ahmed will continue to serve as Director of CSIR-IIIM Jammu while overseeing the functioning of CSIR-NBRI, one of India’s premier research institutions specialising in plant sciences, medicinal plants, biodiversity, taxonomy and botanical research.
The interim arrangement has been made to ensure administrative continuity and the smooth implementation of ongoing scientific programmes at the Lucknow-based institute.
A distinguished scientist with over 28 years of research experience, Dr. Ahmed has made notable contributions in drug discovery, natural product research and the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic disorders.
Under his leadership, CSIR-IIIM Jammu has played a key role in several national initiatives, including the CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission, Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission. He has also been instrumental in promoting the Purple Revolution through lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir and has contributed to the establishment of Industrial Biotech Parks at Ghatti in Kathua and Handwara.
Dr. Ahmed has authored more than 150 research papers, guided numerous PhD and postgraduate scholars, and holds several patents.
His contributions have earned him several prestigious honours, including the UT-Level Tribal Award in Science and Technology (2022), CSIR Knowledge Partnership Award (2023), Maharaja Hari Singh Award for Excellence (2024), Prominent Alumni Award of the University of Jammu (2025), Award of Appreciation for Excellence in Science and Technology by the Indian Army (2025), and the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (2025) as a team member of the CSIR Aroma Mission.
CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, is a premier national laboratory engaged in research on plant sciences, medicinal plants, biodiversity conservation and the sustainable utilisation of botanical resources.
