Dr J.K. Jena, with 33 years of research experience in different fields of freshwater aquaculture and conservation genetics, has been holding the position of Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India since January 2016. During this period, he was also given the additional responsibility of providing leadership to 19 animal science institutes as Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR for over three and half years. Before this, he served as the Director of the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow, India for over 5 years. Working in different aspects of freshwater aquaculture at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, India during his initial career in different capacities, viz., National Fellow and Head of the Division, Dr. Jena has contributed to the development of several technologies and research findings, including aquaculture diversification; intensive carp culture; treatment of domestic sewage through aquaculture; cryopreservation, conservation genetics and applied nutrition. As National Coordinator, he has been operating the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) in India with the involvement of 30 partner organizations for last 10 years. He is also instrumental in the execution of the Indian Network on Fisheries and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR), initiated by ICAR with the involvement of 31 Animal Science and Fisheries Research institutes. Dr. Jena has published 220 research papers in national and international journals of repute, besides several books, book chapters and other publications. He has been conferred with several awards and recognition, including Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award of ICAR; and ICAR Award for Team Research. He was also holding several important positions in the past, including President of the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Kuala Lumpur, the first Indian to have this honour; and Secretary, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India. At present, Dr Jena also is the Chair of the Governing Council of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), Bangkok, Thailand; and Chairman of the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch.
Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) Indian Council of Agricultural Research Fisheries Science Division Room No.309,Krishi anusandhan Bhavan-11, New Delhi-110012, INDIA.