Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, and Rector, Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu, has been honoured with the prestigious Prof. C. Manoharachary Award by the Mycological Society of India (MSI) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to mycological research.
The award was presented at Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, during the National Conference on “Harnessing Fungal Diversity for Agriculture, Biotechnology, Industry and One Health”, organised by the School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, from October 21 to 23, 2026.
Prof. Sharma delivered an award lecture titled “Mushrooms in Traditional Knowledge Systems: Integrating Ethnomycology, Classical Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny”. The lecture highlighted his approach of integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific methods, in alignment with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Sustainable Development Goals, and biodiversity documentation.
With over three decades of experience, Prof. Sharma has made significant contributions to academics, administration and research, particularly in advancing the understanding of macrofungi in the North-Western Himalayas, especially Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. His research encompasses fungal diversity, ethnomycology, and the chemoprofiling of wild edible and medicinal mushrooms.
Under his guidance, his research team has contributed to the discovery of more than 40 new species of wild mushrooms, lichens and plants, besides reporting numerous additions to India's fungal biodiversity. His scholarly contributions include over 190 peer-reviewed publications and several books. He has also co-authored a guide on mushroom cultivation and edited volumes on plant and fungal sciences.
Prof. Sharma's research has advanced scientific understanding while contributing to the sustainable utilisation of natural resources and encouraging future generations of researchers to explore the field of mycology and plant sciences.
The recognition by the Mycological Society of India is a testament to Prof. Sharma's sustained commitment to scientific research and his pioneering contributions to the study of fungi and biodiversity. The University of Jammu and the wider scientific community take pride in his achievements and his valuable contribution to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
