Dr. Channa S. Prakash is the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Tuskegee University in the United States. He has been a valued member of the faculty at Tuskegee University since 1989 and is a distinguished professor specializing in crop genetics and biotechnology. Dr. Prakash is at the forefront of advocating for science-based agricultural advancement, particularly in molecular techniques, including the application of genetically modified crops and genome engineering.

Within his research laboratory, Dr. Prakash and his team were pioneers in the development of transgenic sweet potato and peanut plants. They have also conducted groundbreaking genomic studies on peanuts. Beyond his academic pursuits, Dr. Prakash generously donates his time and expertise as a member of the GFN (Global Farmer Network) Advisory Council.

For nearly three decades, Dr. Prakash has played a vital role in raising global awareness about the critical issues surrounding crop and food biotechnology. His remarkable contributions have not gone unnoticed; in 2015, he was honored with the prestigious Borlaug CAST (Council for Agricultural Science and Technology) Communication Award. He is also recognized by the Huffington Post as one of the Top 30 influential figures in the field of biopharma and biotech, underscoring his substantial impact. In fact, he holds the number one global ranking as an influencer in matters related to ‘agricultural biotechnology.’