Aditya Joshi, recipient of the Karanth - Getty Award and Dr Ullas Karanth. Courtesy: S. Dalvi

Aditya Joshi, an unassuming member of the 2010 Master's in Wildlife Biology and Conservation Program was awarded the prestigious Ullas Karanth - J. Paul Getty award this year. This award, instituted to honor both academic and conservation excellence for the students of the Master's program, is in its second year of existence and Aditya is the third awardee. In addition to covering tuition and others costs of the course, this Fellowship also entitles Aditya to a travel grant to attend an international seminar to present results of his dissertation project.

His classmates cite many reasons based on which they believe that Aditya deserves the award. Overcoming skepticism, Aditya carried out one of the first studies on the genetic connectivity of tigers between six protected areas in Central India. Through hard work both in the field and the lab, his Master's thesis has already begun creating waves in Indian tiger biology and conservation. Originally trained as a biotechnologist, Aditya has donned many hats during his two years at NCBS, leading the production of a short documentary about the vultures at Ramnagaram, providing the first picture of the rare Blue Nawab butterfly and rescuing snakes from conflict with humans. What is more remarkable is his presence of mind, which has saved the life of a snake-bite victim and his modesty in the face of his achievements. Aditya plans to continue working on large carnivores in the Central Indian landscape, and is already planning work in the Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra through collaborations with the Wildlife Trust of India.