Clemson scientist to chair special workshop for the International Crop Science Congress

Published: July 9, 2012

Kole (far right) leading a team of researchers in his lab at Clemson University. image by: Rooksana E. Noorai

CLEMSON — Clemson University scientist Chittaranjan Kole has been selected to chair a special international workshop on Genomics and Breeding of Climate Resilient Crops for Future Food Security for the International Crop Science Congress Aug. 6-10 in Brazil.

Every four years the International Crop Science Congress gathers the world’s most prominent scientists in the fields of agronomy, genomics and plant breeding. The goals for the Congress are to advance crop productivity with a focus on environmental sustainability and meet the world’s food and industrial needs.

“Kole was selected to chair the special international workshop in recognition of his worldwide leadership and original contributions to the scientific community,” said Antonio Costa de Oliveira, chairman of the International Crop Science Congress and associate professor in genetics and plant breeding at the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. “The world struggles for scientific advances in food production and Kole’s spectacular vision and cutting-edge profile will contribute to the international workshop’s success.”

Kole is the director of research at Clemson’s Institute of Nutraceutical Research, where the overall goal is to pursue research opportunities in food safety and security with the U.S. government and other international entities. His current research includes development of crop varieties for use as functional foods and dietary supplements to combat deadly chronic ailments, including AIDS, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and stroke.

Kole’s area of specialty is plant biotechnology, including genomics and molecular breeding. He established the International Climate Resilient Crop Genomics Consortium, which includes 30 scientists from 11 countries. Kole received India’s Crop Research Award in 2004 and Hind Rattan (Jewel of India) award in 2010. He has published more than 130 research articles, edited 55 textbooks and reviewed books on frontier areas of biotechnology, and patented two medicinal varieties of bitter melon: CBM10 and CBM12.

“It’s an honor to be selected by such a prestigious community of like-minded researchers from all around the world,” Kole said. “This honor speaks to the impact of students and faculty of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences and Institute of Nutraceutical research and furthers Clemson’s reputation as one of the leading agriculture research universities in the country.”

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