Srinagar: A scientist from Kashmir has been awarded the 2025 Norman R. Farnsworth Excellence in Botanical Research Award by the American Botanical Council. This accolade recognizes Dr. Ghulam Nabi Qazi, who is currently the Director-General and CEO of the Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in New Delhi, for his significant contributions to the field of medicinal plant research.

Dr. Qazi’s achievements are rooted in his 40 years of extensive research and expertise in various scientific domains, including biochemistry, microbial biotechnology, and the bio-prospecting of natural products. His work also emphasizes the quality control and clinical validation of traditional Indian herbal medicines.

The Norman R. Farnsworth Excellence in Botanical Research Award is an annual honor, named after the late Professor Norman R. Farnsworth, a noted figure in the field of pharmacognosy. The award is given to individuals who have made substantial contributions to research in areas such as pharmacognosy, ethnobotany, and ethnopharmacology, among other scientific disciplines related to medicinal plants.