LIMA, PERU (October 21, 2014)
Vikram Vakharia, professor of molecular biology and virology in the Department of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology is the recipient of a honorary degree from the National University of San Marcos for his pioneering contributions in the development of novel reverse genetic systems and recombinant vaccines for infectious bursal disease virus causing Gumboro disease in chickens, infectious pancreatic necrosis virus causing pancreatic necrosis disease in salmonids, and fish rhanbdoviruses causing hematopoietic necrosis and viral hemorrhagic septicemia in many fish species.
The National University of San Marcos is a public university in Lima, Peru. It was chartered in 1551 by a Royal Decree signed by Charles V of Spain as the Royal and Pontifical University of the City of the Kings of Lima, which makes it the oldest officially established university in the Americas, and as such, one of the oldest universities in the world. Professor Vakharia’s honor was part of the University’s 463rd anniversary celebration.