Over the past 44 years, Dr. S. L. Kothari has made significant contributions to biotechnology, mentoring over 50 PhD scholars and postdoctoral fellows. He received the ISCA Award from the Prime Minister of India for his plant sciences research. He has also been a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow in the UK and a Fulbright Fellow in the USA.

Dr. S. L. Kothari holds the position of Professor of Biotechnology and Vice President of Amity’s Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation at Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Prior to joining Amity University, Dr. S. L. Kothari dedicated 35 years to the University of Rajasthan. He earned his PhD in biotechnology in 1984 and then went on to pursue his Fulbright Fellowship in the USA. Following this, he served as a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow at the University of Nottingham, UK, in 1985, and then he was honoured with the Rockefeller Biotechnology Career Award. He also held a professorial position at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, and currently serves as an adjunct professor of Biotechnology at RMIT, Melbourne, Australia. With a remarkable career spanning over 35 years, he has immensely enjoyed his research journey in biotechnology. He has played a pivotal role in mentoring over 50 PhD scholars and numerous postdoctoral fellows, contributing significantly to the field.

With 44 years of experience in academia, he acknowledges the pivotal role of universities in empowering students to reach their full potential. He emphasises the importance of university leadership in fostering an environment where both students and faculty can give their best. Highlighting the significance of research, he underscores the need for substantial funding to procure the necessary instruments and equipment. A successful researcher or professor must not only attract talented students but also secure adequate funding support. With sufficient funding and innovative ideas, collaborative efforts can lead to solutions that benefit society at large.

He initially delved into cereal tissue culture and later advanced his research to include the genetic transformation of cereal crops and medicinal plants. His contributions include developing protocol technology for gene transfer in rice, barley, finger millet, and other crops. Additionally, he conducted fundamental research elucidating the developmental procedures in plant culture. As an academic administrator, he remains attuned to global developments, ensuring curriculum upgrades reflect evolving trends.

The reputation of a university is built on the activities of its students, the career successes of its alumni, and the productivity of its faculty. A key aspect is the interaction between students and the outcomes they produce, both in terms of research and academic performance. The best results stem from collaborative efforts, as the days of working in isolation are gone. Today, there is a growing emphasis on multi-institutional, multidisciplinary research, with converging sciences and disciplines finding significance in addressing fundamental issues.

Modern education must therefore focus on multiple subjects and disciplines to support research endeavours. This convergence allows experts from diverse fields like cognitive science, neuroscience, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, environmental science, and environmental technology to collaborate effectively. Students should strive to acquire knowledge across these disciplines while specialising in a particular area, which will enable them to apply insights from various fields to their work.

Reflecting on his journey, he recalls being a top student throughout his academic life. Despite suggestions to pursue banking or administrative services, he followed his passion for life sciences. Four decades ago, biotechnology emerged as a nascent discipline, and during his master's studies, he delved into genetic engineering, sparking his interest in biotechnology. His trajectory took a significant turn when he became a Fulbright fellow in the USA, where he acquired advanced techniques for transforming plant cells with foreign genes, solidifying his dedication to biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Born in a small village in Bhilwara district, he began his education in the village school before moving to Udaipur for his secondary education. He completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in Udaipur. Having studied in a Hindi-medium school, he strongly advocates for primary education in one's mother tongue. He believes this approach enhances understanding of subjects and maintains the purity of the thought process and imagination. He recalls a personal incident during his fellowship in England when his daughter, studying at MGD School, Jaipur, wrote him letters in English. When his English friend questioned why his daughter was not using her mother tongue, he felt remorseful and realised the importance of primary education in Hindi. He often ponders why Indians struggle to win Nobel Prizes, attributing it to the lack of primary education in their mother tongue.

When asked about his role models, he credits his mother as his primary source of inspiration, who always held high expectations for him and envisioned him as an outstanding individual. He also acknowledges the influence of his teachers, including Prof. Naresh Chandra of Rajasthan, Prof. E.C. Cocing from England, and Prof. Jack Wil Holmes from America, from whom he learned valuable lessons at different stages of his life. His greatest inspiration is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he admires for leading the country to great heights and for his pride in Indian culture.

He talks about Shakespeare's novel, "To be or not to be," stating, "Should I act upon the urging that I feel or remain passive and cease to exist?" He interprets this as a call to action, emphasising the importance of pursuing goals and working diligently to achieve them rather than remaining idle.

Reflecting on his achievements, he recalls a significant milestone at the age of 29 when he was selected for an All-India Fulbright scholarship, which allowed him to conduct research in America. This experience was a turning point in his career, as he realised the critical importance of funding for research, which was plentiful in American universities. With his research work, he attracted funding to the university he was working for. In 1994, he was honoured with the ISCA (Indian Science Congress Association) Award by the then Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao,  for his research in plant sciences.

He stresses that we live in an era abundant with opportunities, where anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work and focus. Mentors and resources are readily available, enabling individuals to excel in their chosen field. His message to young Indians is to identify their interests and pursue them wholeheartedly, as no one else can replicate their unique abilities. He encourages students to embrace their uniqueness, advising them to turn their passions into their professions. His mantra for success is simple: "To become a topper, just find one thing in you that is unique, make that your profession, and you will remain number one in that."

He finds fulfilment in helping his colleagues, students, and anyone seeking his help realise their full potential. He believes in having a positive outlook and a desire for the welfare of those around him. He advocates positivity, believing it to be the key to success, and advises others to stay away from negativity.

To him, success is measured by the number of people he has positively influenced and how many have benefited from his guidance.