Dr. Renu Swarup is the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and Chairperson, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council ,A Govt. of India Enterprise.
Dr Renu Swarup has taken over charge as Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT). She has served in Department of Biotechnology for nearly 29 years and was holding the position of Senior Advisor/Scientist ‘H’ till she was appointed a Secretary to Government of India on 10th April, 2018. She also holds position of Chairperson, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Company incorporated by the Government to nurture and promote innovation research in the Biotech Enterprise with special focus on Start-ups and SMEs.
A PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Dr. Renu Swarup completed her Post Doctoral at The John Innes Centre, Norwich UK, under Commonwealth Scholarship and returned to India to take up the assignment of a Science Manager in the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI, in 1989. As a Science Manager issues related to policy planning and implementation are a part of her assignment. She was actively engaged in formulation of the Biotechnology Vision in 2001, National Biotechnology Development Strategy in 2007 and Strategy II, 2015-20 as the Member Secretary of the Expert Committee.
Dr. Renu Swarup has also been closely involved in Programmes and activities related to Women and Science. She was responsible for getting implemented the DBT Scheme on Biotechnology Career Advancement for Women Scientists – Bio CARE. She was also a member of the Task Force on Women in Science constituted by the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister.
Dr. Renu Swarup also held charge of Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Company incorporated by the Government of India to nurture and promote innovation research in the Biotech Enterprise with special focus on Start-ups and SMEs till she took over the charge of Chairperson. Through Biotechnology translational research and industry academia partnerships she has supported more than 1000 Startups and Entrepreneurs, and nearly 500 small companies for innovation research and product development.
A Member of the National Academy of Sciences (NASI) India. She is also a Member of Governing Body of National Institutes, Universities and Canters. She was awarded the “BioSpectrum Person of the Year Award” in 2012. She also received the “National Entrepreneurship Awards 2017”. This is a Special Jury recognition Award for Government Mentor.
Mrs. Anju Bhalla is a Post Graduate from St. Stephens College, Delhi University. She joined the Central Secretariat Service, Government of India in 1990 and has varied experience from her work in the Ministries of Commerce, Industry, Culture, Women & Child Development and Power.
She is currently Joint Secretary in the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and holding additional charge as Managing Director of BIRAC, a Section 8 Not for Profit Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India Her first assignment in Ministry of Commerce involved promotion of Indian investment in joint ventures and subsidiaries abroad, through gradual de-regulation of the sector. Policy and programme interventions for empowerment of women, and development and safety of children in WCD, international cooperation and climate change initiatives in the power sector, have been some of the areas of work she was engaged with.