By Manzar Imam
Professor (Dr) Tasneem Fatma, scientist and former Head of the Department of Bio-Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi has been honoured with the prestigious RULA (Research under Literal Access) “Research Peace Award 2019” in recognition of her research work of higher standard in environmental biology and cyanobacterial biotechnology.
The award was given to her at Grandeur Hall of Hotel Breeze Residency in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. It acknowledges her services in environmental biology and cyanobacterial biotechnology “for international innovation, betterment and excellence in research activities”.
Earlier in 2018, Prof Fatma was given Prof Y S R K Sarma Memorial Award by Society for Plant Research for her invaluable research in algology.
An M.Sc. Gold Medalist from Lucknow University, she did her Ph.D. in Phycology from Lucknow University in 1984 under Prof B N Prasad. Soon after completing her Ph.D. she joined the University of Kanpur as a Lecturer and in 1986, following which she joined Jamia Millia Islamia with which she has been associated since then.
A senior Professor at JMI Prof Fatma has a teaching experience of about forty years. More than 40 students have so far completed their PhDs under her supervision. She has published more than 125 research papers in national and international journals, written 10 book chapters, edited one reference book and has completed eight research projects. She loves teaching and extends every possible support to her students and research scholars. Her science lab is open for them throughout the week.
Prof Fatma has made extensive academic tours to different countries of Europe and America besides travelling many countries of the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. She spent a year in the United States of America and six months each in Italy and Germany at official assistance of Government of India besides participating in international conferences in Australia, Hong Kong, China, Italy, Malaysia, Philippines, Canada, etc.
Many faculty members, research scholars and students of JMI have congratulated Prof Tasneem Fatma for getting the prestigious award.
Manzar Imam is a senior journalist based in New Delhi