The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) awarded the Fellow of NAAS for the year 2017 to Dr. A. Sahul Hameed, Associate Professor of Zoology, C.Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, Vellore district for his research work carried out on diseases of shrimp, prawn and fish since 1990. He received the award in the Foundation Day and Annual General Body Meeting of NAAS held on 5th June, 2017 in New Delhi. His research work included the first time isolation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) of shrimp, and first time report on the occurrence of MrNV in prawn and infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) in shrimp in India. In addition, he developed the first marine fish cell line in India. He has commercialized a diagnostic kit and herbal immunostimulant through a Chennai based company for the benefit of shrimp farmers. All his research work was funded by Central Government funding agencies like DBT, DST, ICAR, MoES and IFCPAR to the tune of more than Rs.10 crores. His research work on MrNV helped to bring an OIE Reference Laboratory for the first time to India and he is the only OIE Expert in the country. Before this award, he was awarded the Tamilnadu Scientist Award by the Government of Tamilnadu in 2008, Tata Innovation Fellowship award by DBT, Government of India in 2013 and M.S.Swaminathan award for Indian Best Fisheries Scientist in 2005. The Secretary, Principal and Staff of the college congratulated him on his achievement.
Dr.A.S.Sahul Hameed,
(OIE Expert, Tata Innovation Fellow)