Prof. Dr Vaibhav A Mantri, Chief Scientist and Divisional Chair, Applied Phycology and Biotechnology Division was honoured with “Prof. V Krishnamurthy Endowment Award” at the recently held ‘S.E.A.W.E.E.D.S. 2026: International Symposium on Seaweeds: Value Chains, Climate Solutions, and Blue Economy Pathways, an expo and business meet being organized by  Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi in association with Seaweed Research Utilisation Association of India’ during 5-7 March 2026.

Prof. V Krishnamurthy is known as ‘Father of Modern Phycology’ in India. This award is given to Prof. Mantri to acknowledge his contributions in the field of Applied Phycology during the last 25+ years. His work is centred around improving cultivation techniques for economically important seaweeds to achieve year-round farming, with focused attention on strain improvement, artificial seedling production, protocol to reduce epiphytic infestation, developing viable methods of farming as well as understanding role of environmental determinants. Prof Mantri delivered Prof. V Krishnamurthy Endowment lecture titled ‘India’s Enduring Efforts in Seaweed Research for Shaping Industry: A Strategic Perspective’.