I am Dr. Akhil Gupta, an accomplished academician and researcher currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Fisheries within the Department of Aquatic Environment at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana. My professional journey in fisheries science spans over a decade, beginning with my Ph.D. in Fish & Fisheries from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in 2006, following my M.F.Sc. from Barkatullah University. This foundational expertise is complemented by a history of progressive roles, including Assistant Professor positions at both GADVASU and SKUAST-K, where I have consistently contributed to the trifecta of teaching, research, and extension in the field of aquatic resource management.

My core research specialization lies in developing sustainable aquaculture practices, with a specific focus on the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, and fish health management. I have successfully developed and transferred critical technologies to progressive fish farmers, including standardized grow-out and over-wintering culture techniques, and methods to enhance growth performance through improved stocking density and eye-stalk ablation. A major pillar of my work involves nutrition and health, leading to the development of low-cost pelleted feeds and the screening of beneficial microorganisms for use as probiotics, significantly improving the productivity and disease resistance in fish and shellfish, with findings published in international journals like Fish and Shellfish Immunology.

As a Principal Investigator or Co-PI, I have secured and led numerous major projects funded by prestigious national bodies, including ICAR, DBT, DST, UGC, NABARD, and RKVY, addressing critical issues from bioremediation to the development of genotoxicity biomarkers in aquatic organisms. This dedication to applied research is matched by my commitment to knowledge dissemination, evidenced by the publication of several training manuals on subjects like Fish Diseases and Shellfish Breeding. I am committed to leveraging my comprehensive experience to continue driving innovation and promoting resilient, sustainable aquaculture for the benefit of the scientific community and the farming sector.