Prof. S. Shankara Bhat M. Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. S. Shankara Bhat is an eminent plant pathologist and a well-known microbiologist. He joined as a faculty of the PG Department of Botany, University of Mysore in the year 1974 and became the professor in 1994. He has the distinction of heading the PG Department of Botany, for 2 years. He was the main architect in introducing microbiology programme in the University of Mysore, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. When the PG department of microbiology was formed he took over as its head. After serving for more than 30 years with devotion and dedication, he attained superannuation in the year 2004. Prof. Shankara Bhat worked in Bangkok for 2 years as a visiting scientist of the Rockefeller Foundation, USA and he was a member of the Advisory Committee for "Compendium of Corn Diseases" (2nd edition) published by American Phytopathological Society, USA. He has guided 5 students for the award of doctorate degree and has more than 50 journal papers to his credit, besides contributing a chapter on "The Downy Mildews" published by the Academic Press, London. He has been the best research paper awardee of the Indian Phytopathological Society. Dr. Shankara Bhat's pioneering work on "Die- Back" of Neem and founding of the Plant Clinic in the University of Mysore are novel contributions to the society.