Studied M.Sc. in Bioscience at Mysore University. Joined Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore and worked in the Dept. of Microbiology and Fermentation. Obtained Ph.D. in Biochemistry by working on Effect of Spices on Intestinal Microflora and Bile Acid Metabolism.

Worked at ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) Hyderabad for two years and studied the problems of Fusarium Toxins in Groundnut crops

Returned to CFTRI and worked for four years studying toxicology of mycotoxins.

Joined Gemini Distilleries Ltd., Nanjangud as Chief of Quality Control and R & D and then promoted to General Manager – Technical. Experienced in large scale alcohol fermentation/distillation/liquor manufacturing/effluent treatment. Implemented bio-methanation reactor (first one in Karnataka) and bio-composting system to treat 5 lakh liters per day distillery effluent.

Stabilized distillery effluent system and installed biomethanation plant in Gauri Distillery

Joined Bacardi Martini India Ltd., as Plant Manager at Nanjangud and promoted as Plant Controller and later as General Manager / Alternate Director taking care of Bacardi manufacturing facilities at Nanjangud, Goa and Chennai. Trained in blending and Certified Rum Blender in Bacardi.

Experienced in international quality liquor manufacturing / general administration.

Worked as Director and CEO at Unistil Alcoblends Pvt Ltd. Bengaluru.

Implemented automation of bottling plant, improved productivity and installed brik pack machines.

Current Position: Director, Schevaran Innovation Centre, Mysuru to carry out innovative research for developing products in the area of Cleaning and Hygiene. Developed several ecofriendly products some of which are already in market.

Doing freelance consultancy on alcoholic beverages.

Research Experience: (12 Years)

• Tempeh Fermentation using soybean and peanut under PL-480 project of USA
• Toxicology of Turmeric under co-ordinated research project between National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad and CFTRI, Mysore
• Intestinal Microflora
• Mycotoxins in Food Grains
• Toxicology of Fusarium Toxins

(Published 25 research papers in International and national journals.)

Delivered several seminars on distillery waste treatment and alcohol technology.

Industrial Experience:

• Large scale alcohol fermentation
• Handling large scale effluent treatment technologies
• Quality Control / Quality Assurance in alcohol fermentation and liquor manufacturing
• Blending and bottling of quality liquors
• Conceptualization/planning and implementation of alcoholic products projects
• General administration.

Teaching Experience:

Taught Environmental Microbiology for master’s degree course in Environmental Science, University of Mysore.

Taught Masters Degree course in Food Technology at CFTRI.

Travel Abroad: Travelled to USA, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Bahamas, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China in connection with professional work

Membership of Scientific / Professional Bodies:

• Life Member of Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (AFSTI)
• Life Member , Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI)
• Member, The Institute of Brewing and Distilling, Scotland until 2012
• Editor of Journal Food Industry, AFSTI for 5 years
• Member of Board of Studies, Environmental Science, University of Mysore for 3 years
• Participated in Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) FAD 14 committee on beverages representing CIABC
• Executive Committee Member, Nanjangud Industries Association for 7 years
• Member, Academic Council, SJCE, Mysore for 6 years
• Member, BOS in Microbiology, Yuvaraja College, Mysore
• Member, BOS in Biotechnology, SJCE for 8 years

Awards:

Recipient of State level Karnataka Vigyana Parishat award for the book on “Microbiology – an insight” written in Kannada language.

Authored a chapter on Technologies for Distillery Effluent Treatment in the book edited by Dr. S R Garg on Environmental Health – Human and Animal Health