Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species

Ashok Gupta

Ashok Gupta
Principal Scientist (Animal Biochemistry)
National research centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India

Biography

Ashok Gupta, aged 59 years, born on 8th Oct., 1955 at Nabha (Dist. Patiala, Punjab), India, did his Bachelors degree (Science) in 1975 after initial schooling at Hisar, Haryana. He completed his Master's and Doctorate degree (Biochemistry) in 1978 and 1989, respectively from Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India. Started his scientific career in 1978 as Agricultural Research Scientist Scientist-1 (Biochemistry), at Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Presently working as Principal Scientist (Animal Biochemistry) as National research centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana. In a scientific span of 36 years, he has contributed appreciably both in Equine Health and Production. For his valuable contributions in the field of vaccine development against equine influenza virus, he was awarded 'One Time Special Award' in July,1998 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi . His work on disease diagnosis and animal production aspects has also been appreciated and awarded at different scientific fora. He is also a life member of nine National scientific societies. He has contributed significantly in development of three technologies namely 1) Indigenous Equine Influenza Vaccine, 2) A field oriented diagnostic ELISA kit for detection of EHV-1 antibodies in equines and 3) Pregnancy diagnostic kit. Pregnancy diagnostic kit 'Pregmare kit' is for early pregnancy diagnosis in horse mares for the benefit of equine owners. . Gupta has about 104 research papers published both in International and National Journals, Six books/ chapters in books and has also edited a book 'Shalihotra' (in Hindi) related to equines. Dr. Gupta has also guided four Ph.D and eleven M.Sc or M.V.Sc students for their thesis work. He had also been to Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, U.K in 1989, 1991 and 1995 for specialized training on Equine Biotechnology and Influenza vaccine development under ODA funded Indo-UK collaborative research project on "Equine Influenza." He has recently characterized all the six registered indigenous horse and endangered pony breeds for their phenotypic and genetic characteristics for adopting their conservation and breeding planning. Presently, he is working on molecular studies related to characterization of different indigenous breeds of horses and donkeys in India.

Research Interest

Equine breed characterization, Diagnostic facilities including pregnancy and disease diagnosis, for the benefit of poor equine owners at their door step