Manju Sharma

1. 🌱 In 1940, Manju Sharma was born, embarking on a career that would intersect with India's burgeoning biotechnology landscape by the late 20th century. 2. In 1996, she became Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Indian Government, steering national biotech policy during a critical phase of India's scientific modernization. 3. 🌾 During her tenure at DBT, Sharma facilitated the launch of India’s first plant genome program, a pioneering initiative that placed India on the global biotechnology map. 4. In 2008, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards, recognizing her role in advancing biotechnology research and policy. 5. 🎤 In 2015, Dr. Sharma delivered a plenary talk at a major scientific forum, sharing insights on biotechnology’s role in healthcare innovation and public policy reform. 6. As Director of Faculty of Education & Methodology at Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, she contributed to shaping biotech education, blending policy experience with academic leadership. 7. ❓ What lasting effects did Manju Sharma’s policy reforms in the late 1990s have on India’s current biotech startups and innovation ecosystems?