Raviprakash Dani

Raviprakash Dani is a well-known plant geneticist and biotechnologist. Born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, Dani was educated at Primary School No. 4, Parbhani, Bharat Vidyalaya, Akola, Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyalaya, Akola, Maharashtra State, and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Currently, he is President and CEO of 'Gene Scan', Inc, in Houston, Texas, USA, serving as specialist in global collaborative academic project management, strategic partnership planning, education, curriculum development, student mentorship, exchange programs, student and staff recruitment, and educational equality training.
==Academic Life==
Dr Dani holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from PDKV Akola. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and a Bachelor of Journalism from Nagpur University. Dr Dani acquired a Ph.D. degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from IARI, New Delhi. He obtained an additional M.S in Biotechnology from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA. He also holds a Doctor of Biological Sciences degree from Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences.
==Research Career==
Dr Dani joined Agricultural Research Service of Indian Council of Agricultural Research as a scientist and rose to the position of Head, Agricultural Research Station (Cotton). He was awarded US Permanent Residency (2001) and later US Citizenship (2006) in the category of “Scientist of Extraordinary Ability”. He moved in 2001 to Texas Tech University. He obtained an additional M.S. degree specializing in Biotechnology. In 2003, he became Faculty Instructor & Post-Doctoral Research and Teaching Fellow in Biological Sciences Department.
Dani’s research included genetic improvement of cotton for improved seed quality, especially seed oil, resulting in 12 elite selections and a superior genetic stock, a first-ever cultivar named ‘Sarasvati’ registered at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. His D.Sc. thesis at Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences was titled “Polymorphism and genetic control of seed oil in cotton under varying ecological conditions” Dani, R. G. 1995. Polymorphism and genetic control of seed oil markers, under diverse eco-geographic conditions). Institute of genetics & Experimental Biology of Plants, Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. (In Russian).52p.. Following the award of a PL 480 research fellowship, Dani explored over 3500 globally cultivated cultivars, genotypes and land races, making significant contributions to enrich USDA and NBPG’s global cotton germplasm collections. At Texas Tech University, Dani implemented new Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) protocols between TTU and Plant Research International - leading global research institution in the Netherlands. He facilitated the use of PRI’s Maize En-1 activation tagging transposon technology to help create new and stress tolerance expressions of the Ascorbate peroxidase (AP), Glutathione reductase and Catalase-3 enzymes, rendering them suitable for incorporation in commercially viable crop cultivars, chiefly cotton, maize and fruit and vegetable crops.
Currently he is actively involved in Nano-based CRISPR and the CRISP-associated system (Cas) research in the field of soyabean genome modification.
==Administration==
Dr Dani is the first American Citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to be appointed Vice Chancellor of an Indian University, viz. the Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidaypeeth (PDKV Agriculture University), his alma mater at Akola, India from 14th August 2012, until his termination on 29th July 2017. He also served as advisor to FAO-UN panel on the “e-learning curriculum on Agricultural Risk Assessment and Management”.His contributions included launch of B.Sc. Agricultural biotechnology undergraduate degree course, marked with the establishment of the PDKV’s V. N. Biotechnology College at Yavatmal, as well as the PDKV Center for Excellence in Biotechnology at the headquarters Akola, Maharashtra. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN- Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)’s e-learning Academy in Rome, Dani also launched 75 online learning certificate courses, making PDKV India’s first FAO e-learning partner. He was advisor to USAID “Partners of Americas: Farmer-to-Farmer” Programs in the Caribbean on Agricultural Biotechnology Commercialization prospecting project in Jamaica. Dani also served an International Agricultural Advisor to the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.
He has also served as Advisor to the US Dept. of State supported Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), leading audits of US Govt. funded projects. 
Dani wrote two internationally acclaimed books titled “Desi-American Imperatives of Change” and Desi-American Imperatives of Change - Incentives, Challenges and Consequences of Change and Transforming Behavior.
Dr Dani has guided 6 Ph.D. and 7 M.Sc. scholars.
==Publications and Patents==
Dani has published 68 research papers, 12 book chapters, 24 popular science articles, 6 books, 8 policy briefs and 7 gene sequences in Soybean.
==Books==
Dani wrote two internationally acclaimed books titled “Desi-American Imperatives of Change”and and Desi-American Imperatives of Change - Incentives, Challenges and Consequences of Change and Transforming Behavior. He hypothesized that while change is imperative in the lives of capable and desirous potential immigrants, it will result in suffering - physical but mostly psychological in nature. Unless the sufferer learns to grasp its inevitability, these consequences can be drastic and unfavorable, including a possible lifetime of suffering in the illusion of irreversible failure. Quoting relevant interpretations of Buddhism from psychologists who have incorporated Buddhist philosophy to reinterpret and redefine clinical practices, especially in Experimental Psychology, Dani revealed ‘Three Identities” potentially bestowed on each conscious immigrant. Meaningfully understood their real purpose, these identities can help transform lives, rendering one capable of making meaningful contributions to forbearance against the force of those inevitable powerful and painful changes. Citing examples of post 9/11 rise of xenophobia, the two books elaborated on the exact kind of suffering experienced by the ordinary, even the well-placed Desi-Americans. The author also described at length the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr., and his 1959 visit to Indian parliament and on the life-changing career of President Barack Obama, who rose above the negative influence of racism in America.
Desi-American Imperatives of Change - Incentives, Challenges and Consequences of Change and Transforming Behavior.
==Awards and Honors==
Dr Dani is a recipient of several awards,
* ICAR Fellowship (1970)
* Sir Dorabjee Tata Scholarship (1974)
* IARI Junior and Senior Research Fellowships (1974 and 1976)
*‘Krishi Gaurav” (Honour in Agriculture) Award of Bharat Krishak Samaj (2016), India’s oldest and largest farmer-led NGO and Cooperative movement. 
* Distinguished National Education Leadership (2015) Award of “Economic Times”
* Prime Minister’s Team Award (2014/2015).
* Honorary Professor, Namangan Engineering & Technology Institute, Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, Republic of Uzbekistan.
* External Examiner, Ph.D. and D.Sc. Dissertation Research, recognized by over 20 Universities of Uzbekistan.
* Member, Editorial Committee, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
==Social/Volunteer Service==
Dr. Dani is a lifetime participant in the international movement ‘Initiatives of Change’, and in the IofC affiliated “Farmers Dialogue International”. Influenced by a meeting during one of the IofC retreats with His Holiness Dalai Lama, Dr Dani has chosen to be an International Education Specialist, remaining an ardent supporter of global education projects overcoming political and geographical barriers. He has contributed over a decade as Honorary Lecturer, promoting international education at Namangan Engineering and Technological Institute and nine other universities in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. In recognition of his dedicated years of contributory service, recently in February 2023 Dr Dani has been bestowed with Prestigious recognition with a lifetime appointment as “Honorary Professor” by the Namangan Engineering & Technology Institute, Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, Republic of Uzbekistan. Since 2015, Dr Dani is also serving as a Language Consultant to the National Language Service Corps (NLSC) organization, serving the US Dept. of Defense. Currently he is actively involved in assisting U.S. Dept. of Justice in monitoring elections held in the State of New York.
==Linguist==
Dr Dani is well versed in several languages that include Marathi (mother tongue), Hindi-Urdu, English, Russian, Telugu and Bengali. Dr Dani taught Russian language as an Honorary Lecturer at the Department of Linguistics, Indian and Foreign Languages (LIFL), Nagpur University for three years (1991-1994). Currently he is also teaching English at the Denav Institute of Entrepreneurship and Pedagogy in Uzbekistan.
==Freemason==
Dr Dani is a dedicated Freemason, having received his Master Mason Degree from St. Andrews Lodge No.6, Nagpur in 1989, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of India, AF & AM. He joined the Grand Lodge of Texas in 2002. He was the first GLI Mason to be elected as the Worshipful Master of Lubbock Lodge No. 1392 in 2007. Dani was also awarded the 32nd Degree of Scottish Rite by their Valley of Lubbock, under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. Currently he is a Member of the C.F. Spencer Masonic Lodge No. 1380 in Pearland, Texas and Member of the Houston Scottish Rites Valley. Dr Dani is a keen supporter of educational, health, and charitable Masonic Projects.
== References ==
== External Links ==
* 
* 
* 
Category:Plant geneticists
Category:Indian geneticists
Category:Indian plant geneticists
Category:Indian biotechnologists
Category:Biotechnology in India
Category:Biotechnologists