Dinabandhu Sahoo, a professor of Botany in Delhi University, is set to take over as Director of the Imphal-based Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development.

The insitute, under department of Science and Technology, didn't had any full time director since 2009. Dr Dinabandhu Sahoo has been a scientist of international repute with vast experience in the field of environmental biotechnology and sustainable development.

Dr Sahoo who recently took over as the director of the institute intends to provide a new direction to its fuctioning. Sharing his thoughts with the BioSpectrum, he mentioned, "I am much excited to carry forward the vision of development of North-Eastern region and look forward to work in this direction."

It is important to mention here that Dr Sahoo was the first Indian student to visit Antarctica during 1987-88 in the 7th Indian Scientific Expedition. He undertook two trips to Arctic during 1991 and 1992. He has visited all the seven continents and five oceans within a record time of 18 months during 1988-89. He had his training in algal cultivation and utilization at more than two dozen countries. He participated in many national and international conferences.

Dr Sahoo is also the honorary director of JD Centre of Art, Culture and Environment India. He received the highest award from National Environmental Science Academy, India in 2009 for his outstanding contribution in the field of Marine Science. Dr Sahoo received one of the most prestigious award from Odisha, Botanical Society for Popularization of Plant Science 2009. Dr Sahoo co-directed a documentary film "Chilika:The Untold Story".