Dr. B.N. Srinivasa Murthy served as Acting Director of ICAR-IIHR from 01.06.2021 to 31.05.2022. He is a former Director of ICAR-IIHR and former Horticulture Commissioner. He earned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and completed his Ph.D. from the University of Guelph, Canada as a Commonwealth Scholar, receiving University Gold Medals at all three academic levels. He developed and released 8 grape hybrids, 3 pomegranate hybrids, 1 strawberry variety, and 2 passion fruit hybrids. He pioneered soil-less culture technology and vertical growing systems for strawberries at IIHR. He published over 90 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and mentored more than 20 postgraduate students. Recipient of the Aryabhata Award.