LUCKNOW, Feb. 16 -- Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, Zabeer Ahmed has assumed additional charge as director of CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow. The responsibility was given following the completion of former director Prabodh Kumar Trivedi's tenure. According to an official order, the arrangement takes effect from February 14, 2026. He will hold the charge until a regular director is appointed or until further orders. Officials said the move aims to ensure leadership continuity and smooth progress of ongoing scientific programmes. Ahmed has over 28 years of experience in drug discovery research. His work covers inflammatory and metabolic disorders, including diabetes, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis. He led major Government of India missions, including the CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission, Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission, and contributed to the Purple Revolution through lavender cultivation. He helped establish Industrial Biotech Parks at Ghatti (Kathua) and Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir. He has received the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, the UT-level Science and Technology Award by the J&K Government, the Maharaja Hari Singh Award, and an Award of Appreciation from the Indian Army....