Rakesh Kumar is a globally renowned breeder at Syngenta with 16 years of experience in commercial breeding. The cultivars he has developed have had a worldwide impact and are grown on nearly every continent. His varieties have received the ‘Most Innovative Product’ award from Seed World and the ‘Fruit Logistica Silver Innovation Award’.Chittaranjan Kole is an internationally renowned academician with a spectacular professional career spanning over 40 years. His lifetime original scientific contributions, specifically in the fields of plant genomics and biotechnology, have been globally appreciated. His scholarly publications include 170 research articles, mostly published in peer-reviewed international journals, 35 book chapters, and over 200 books with globally reputed publishers. His academic contributions have been profusely appreciated by seven Noble laureates. His research contributions have been recognized with several international awards and fellowships. Professor Kole has worked as a faculty member, head of department, dean, or vice chancellor in three universities in India and as a visiting professor in three universities in the United States. Currently, Professor Kole is acting as the founder president of Genome India International and of two other international organizations, including the International Climate Resilient Crop Genomics Consortium and the International Phytomedomics and Nutriomics Consortium.