Wheat expert Singh to be honored for scientific advancement

Ravi Singh has worked to control wheat rust diseases, including the development of over 400 rust-resistant high-yielding wheat varieties.
Ravi Singh has worked to control wheat rust diseases, including the development of over 400 rust-resistant high-yielding wheat varieties. | Contributed photo

The American Association for the Advancement of Science will award the honor of Fellow to Ravi Singh, a scientist from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center on Feb. 13 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Singh is a distinguished scientist and head of bread wheat improvement at the center and is being honored for his contributions to the agricultural research field, especially his work in wheat genetics, pathology and breeding. He has dedicated himself to enhancing food security throughout the developing world and his research includes the use of durable genetic resistance. 

He has also worked to control wheat rust diseases, including the development of over 400 rust-resistant high-yielding wheat varieties for Asia, Africa and Latin America, saving farmers money and increasing incomes. He has written 209 peer-reviewed journal articles, 26 book chapters/extension publications, 80 published symposia, and 212 symposia abstracts that he has authored and co-authored on the subject of wheat and maize.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center is a research and development leader based in El Batan, Mexico, focused on wheat, maize and wheat-and-maize-based farming. It works to accomplish the goal of sustainability around the world by working with developing countries and like-minded partners to increase food security and livelihoods. 

The center is one of 15 members of the CGIAR Consortium and is in charge of leading the Consortium Research Programs on Wheat and Maize.