Prof. SM Paul Khurana is a Professor of Biotechnology and plant virology and Head, USIC, Amity Univ Hry, Gurgaon, India.He published over 200 research papers, 95 reviews/chapters, authored & edited 16 books and 12 technical bulletins. He also worked as an Editor/Chief Editor Indian Virology Society for 11yrs. Prof.(Dr.)S.M.Paul Khurana obtained his Ph.D.(Botany-Virology, 1969) on papaya viruses. He served as a scientist to Director, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla (1973-2004); Consultant CIP/FAO(1992, 1996,1997); Vice-Chancellor, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur (2004-2009). Director, Amity Instt of Biotechnology, AUUP, Noida (2009-10), Director, Amity Instt of Biotechnology(2010-2015), Dean, Faculty of Sci, Engg & Technology (2013-2016), currently Professor of Biotechnology & Head, USIC, Amity Univ Hry, Gurgaon(2015-contd)He got several awards/Honors including Mundkur Memorial Award/Gold Medal, 1992; UAS, Dharwad:Plaque of Honor, 1995; OUAT Silver Plaque, 1997; UAS RK Hegde Memorial Lecture Award, 1999; CPRI Golden Jubilee Outstanding Achievement award, 2000; Natl Env Sci Acad Best Sci of the Year, Award 2002; CPRI S Ramanujam Memorial Award, 2003;Ch. Devi Lal outstanding AICRP Award for All India Coordinated Research Project (Potato), led as Project Coordinator for 10 years (2005) UNO-Dr S Radhakrishnan Int’l Award for Excellence in Higher Education Management,2006; ICAR Team Research Award, 2010, ISCA-Platinum Jubilee (lecture) Award, 2010;SAARC Outstanding Achievement Award 2011, ISMPP Lifetime Achvmnt Award, 2012; HSI-Shivshakthi Lifetime Achievement Award, 2013; Eminent Scientist Honor:ISCA Sir JC Bose Medal, 2013; IPS Recognition Award, 2016; CHAI-Hony Fellowship & Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016, and YL Nene Outstanding Teacher Award, 2017 by ISMPP. Fellow of Indian Phytopath Society, National Acad of Agric Sciences, National Academy of Biological Sciences, etc
His main research areas including Plant Pathology, Plant Virology, Biotechnology.Lifelong research on plant viruses/viroids, mainly of potatoes, on the detection & transmission aspects with the view to evolving suitable control measures and maintaining seed health. Led the team and pioneered use of ELISA and ISEM for detection of potato viruses. Isolated/cloned PVY/PLRV-CP genes and developed tobacco /potato trans genics with PVY-CP gene. He is a specialist on plant viruses and viroids, an expert in virus detection techniques. developed simple techniques for screening resistance to potato viruses. Developed IPM system for potato in the country on the regional basis.