Girish Panicker was recognized for his outstanding contribution in conservation research. The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) awarded Indian American researcher Dr Girish Panicker, the 2023 International Conservation Research Award for his outstanding achievements in conservation research.
Panicker currently serves as the director of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conservation Research Program and a professor at the Alcorn State University in Mississippi. According a statement, his research on C-factor (Cover and Management) technology is used by graduate students and environmentalists to stop soil erosion and deal with climate change issues.
According to Alcorn University, the Kerala-born professor has experimented with blueberries to prevent lung cancer and coronary heart disease. He also has collaborated with the U.S. government impacting organic fertilizers, studied and produced muscadines with research designed to move toward eliminating breast cancer, and researched cover crops producing information for erosion prediction, nutrient management, and climate change.
Panicker’s efforts have gained him numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Pride of India Award and the 2020 Organic Achievement Award from the American Society of Agronomy, and others.
“This is a great recognition for me and Alcorn State,” Panicker said. “I was so blessed that I got the job here. Dr Bristow sent me to work on my PhD, and I came back to Alcorn because I knew that this project of conserving soil and water could help around the globe. Our research goes to so many countries around the world.”
The SWCS, a preeminent nonprofit scientific and educational organisation, honoured Panicker for his great contributions to conservation research. The SWCS promotes conservation professionals and science-based practices, programmes, and policies.
