Director, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida (UP).

Former Vice Chancellor, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (MP).

Retd. Director, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla (HP).

Dr. Khurana is a doctorate from University of Gorakhpur (1968).from where he did his M. Sc. (1965) also. He did two years’ (1970-72) post-doctoral work on Advanced Plant Virology at Kyushu University, Fukuoka (Japan). He also worked at University of Minnesota, St. Paul (USA) on Immunodiagnostics (bio-technology) during a sabbatical of one year (1987-88). He established a school of plant virology at CPRI, Shimla and trained very large number of workers & students from the country and also abroad. His research has been thorough, analysis always clear and his solutions always very practical.

 The various positions he has held include the following:

• Director, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida (U.P.) (December 2009)
• Vice Chancellor, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya (Nov 2004 – Oct 2009)
• Director, CPRI, Shimla (2002-2004)
• Project Coordinator (Potato), AICRP (Potato), Shimla (1994-2004)
• Principal Scientist & Head Plant Pathology, CPRI, Shimla (1988-1993)
• Has been actively engaged with Universities & Research Organizations either as Academic Councillor or member for Advisory/Executive Committees for HPU, Shimla, UHF, Solan, CCS University, Meerut, SAIF-PU, Chandigarh, NRCM, SILB, Solan, HPKVV, Palampur.
• Member of Research/Scientific panels/task force of DST, DBT, ICAR, etc.
• Currently Member of Executive Council Committees of Red Cross; Hindi Granth Academy (M.P.), Advisor, NBAIM, Mau and Chair. Res. Advisory Committee, Central Tuber Crops Res. Institute, Trivendrum.

 Dr. Khurana has also held prestigious positions in various professional associations such as:

• Indian Potato Association: President for three terms, Editor-in-Chief for three terms and also Secretary for one term
• Aphidological Society: Vice President for one term and Editor for two terms
• Indian Virol. Society: Editor-in-Chief for two terms and Editor for one term
• Indian Phytopath. Society: President for one term, Editor for three years
• Indian Science Congress Assoc.: President, Plant Sci. section (2008-09)

Dr. Khurana was awarded CPRI Golden Jubilee Outstanding Achievements Award (2000). Best Scientist of the Year (2002) Award. Dr. S. Ramanujam Memorial Award for Outstanding research & Leadership in Potato R & D in India and The All India Potato Improvement Project (Potato) run by Dr. Khurana for 10 yrs as P.C. was adjudged as the Outstanding Project in 2005, for Ch. Devi Lal Award of ICAR. UNO: Dr. S. Radhakrishanan International Award (2006) for Excellence in Higher Education amongst almost two dozen & odd others.

Dr. Khurana is a Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi; National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai (India) and Distinguished Fellow of the Indian Potato Association. He was the first Indian to deliver the keynote address at the Seventh Olympiad of the Mind at Paris (May 2005). He has been a popular science orator and very motivating for the young students/researchers. He has delivered various memorial/invited lectures in various Universities/ Institutions both in India and abroad and even the IAS Acad.

Dr. Khurana has published over 130 original research papers in journals of repute/high impact and he has also authored more than 75 reviews/book chapters. His research career is spangled with achievements like standardization and use of enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) & immuno sorbent electron microscopy (ISEM) for detection of potato viruses, development of simple techniques for screening of resistance to potato viruses, apart from pioneering work in detection of plant diseases; associated with selection/release of eight potato varieties including the first ever two processing varieties in India. Besides his prolonged research & management experience, he has guided ten Ph.D. students, written many monographs/bulletins and authored/edited eight books/conference proceedings (including the two published recently-(2006, 2008) from USA).

Higher Education Management: As Vice-Chancellor R.D. University, Jabalpur (November 2004-October 2009), Dr. Khurana made all out efforts to bring all round changes & development in the University, for the cause and welfare of students, faculty and employees which helped to maintain law-and-order; by reducing student/employee unrests; develop necessary infrastructure and completion of left over construction of buildings as well as maintenance/beautification of the campus. Revamped the examination system, added an Examination Hall for 600 examinees and Evaluation Hall for 300 teachers created. Besides, added new Conference Halls in University Institute of Management, Deptts. of Chemistry and Bio Science. Similarly, got University Institute of Law built. Also University academic schedule of exams/results & admissions were streamlined. Brought back the academic environment by getting the CAS selections/promotions, HRD by way of exchange of faculty both from India and abroad, inviting eminent speakers for guest lectures as well as holding a large number of seminar/symposia/workshop/trainings. Further year-long (2006-07) Golden Jubilee celebrations were organised wherein H.E. the then President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam graced the convocation.

Dr. Khurana is a pre-eminent scientist of rare distinctions and has contributed significantly to agriculture (potato) R&D in the country which have left an indelible mark for food security. Besides, he is a scientist rolled into an author, thinker, speaker and administrator for research and higher education for excellence. He is also known for his rare and tender human values. In short, he is the man that planners ask for and people keenly listen to his presentations. He has strong determination, commitment and integrity. His colleagues/superiors and friends believe that he is an Institution by himself: a scientist, research manager, leader and an achiever i.e. he has been a crusader and his enthusiasm is ‘contagious’.