Prof. A.K. Sarbhoy was born on June 15, 1939 at Allahabad. He did his B.Sc. (1956), M.Sc. (1959) and D. Phil (1963) from Allahabad University, Allahabad and guided six M.Sc. and ten Ph.D. Students. He joined as Asstt. Professor of Botany in Allahabad University (1962-65); Overseas Mycologist, C.M.I. Kew, England, U.K., (1965-67). He joined IARI in 1968 as Pool Officer in Herbarium and as Curator (HCIO), as Mycologist (1969-72) and as Sr. Mycologist (1972-86). Later on he joined as Principal Scientist (1986-97) and Professor (1997-99). He also shouldered the responsibilities as Head, Division of Plant Pathology, IARI, New Delhi. After his retirement he joined as Emeritus Scientist (2000-03) at IARI. 

His research areas include Mycology and Plant Pathology. He taught PG students for more than 35 years of his career and published more than 185 research publications in Indian and Foreign journals. He was a widely travelled scientist and had made representations in many International and National Forums. He received M.J. Narasimhan Merit Academic Award of IPS and was elected as Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad; Linnean Society, London, U.K.; Indian Phytopathological Society, Honorary Fellow of Mycological Society of India; Advisory Board Member of IPS; Vice President, International Mycological Association and also Indian Mycological Society, Calcutta and President (1993) and Chief Editor (1995-97), Indian Phytopathological Society. He has authored several books in Hindi and in English on Mycology. His monumental work on Mucorales published by CMI and five supplements of “Fungi of India” and Text Book of Advanced Mycology are few significant contributions to Indian Mycology. 

Prof. Sarbhoy, was well known for his helpful and cooperative attitude, sincerity and wide knowledge not only in Mycology and Plant Pathology but in other fields of science as well. In his death the Indian Scientific Community has lost an outstanding researcher, science administrator and above all a great friend and supporter of Plant Pathology in India.