14 Facts About Govindjee

Govindjee was born on 24 October 1932 and is an Indian-American scientist and educator.

Govindjee is Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Plant Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he taught from 1961 until 1999.

Govindjee is recognized internationally as a leading expert on photosynthesis.

Govindjee is known only by a single name, as his family by tradition did not use a surname.

Govindjee studied at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning his Ph.

Govindjee began his PhD work with Robert Emerson who discovered the Emerson effect.

Govindjee showed, in 1960, the role of Chlorophyll a in Photosystem II; pioneered the first picosecond measurements on Photosystem I in 1978 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and then on Photosystem II in 1989 with Michael Wasielewski at Argonne National Laboratory.

Govindjee is best known for establishing the unique role of bicarbonate in electron and proton transport in Photosystem II.

Govindjee has not only provided the first comprehensive theory of thermoluminescence in algae and plants, but has shown how prompt and delayed fluorescence of Chlorophyll a can be used as a signature of various reactions in photosynthesis.

Govindjee is the founding Series Editor of the Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration as well as the Editor of Historical Corner of Photosynthesis Research.

Govindjee has written extensively on the topic of Photosynthesis, including on the role of chlorophyll in Photosynthesis, light absorption, excitation energy transfer, and how plants make oxygen.

Govindjee was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1976.

Govindjee was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award from the Rebeiz Foundation for Basic Research, the 2007 Communication Award of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research, and the 2008 Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

In 2018, Govindjee was elected as the Pravasi Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India, and in honor of his 85th birthday, a special issue of Photosynthetica was released.