60 years of science: Dr. Umesh Gupta receives Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (PEI), had only one traffic light when Dr. Umesh Gupta and his family arrived in 1963 from Ottawa after being appointed as a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Now, Charlottetown is a growing multicultural city, ushered in by newcomers like the Guptas and many other families who made PEI their home.

Dr. Gupta believes his family may have been the first of Indian heritage to settle on PEI. They felt isolated at first, but very soon were finding themselves involved in the community and eventually helping many Indian families integrate into life on the island.

At AAFC, Dr. Gupta researches micronutrients in crops and soils like selenium, a micronutrient that is essential to the metabolism and diets of humans and animals. Through the almost 60 years at AAFC, he published more than 150 scientific research publications, 91 technical publications, 18 review articles, and 3 book chapters.

"My favourite accomplishment is developing simple methods to determine the availability of boron and molybdenum — two micronutrients which are most deficient in the soils of Atlantic Canada. I'm so proud that results from this research are published all over the world," says Dr. Gupta.

More than 25 years have passed since his retirement from AAFC, but Dr. Gupta remains committed to learning and advancing agriculture science. He continues to use his expertise in biochemistry and plant science to author articles related to crops and human nutrition as well as review scientific publications for various journals. "This allows me to keep up-to-date with recent research," he says.

While his contribution to the agriculture industry is immense, Dr. Gupta has remained committed to serving his community on PEI. Over the years, his televised presentations at Charlottetown Rotary Club meetings covered a variety of topics such as, vitamins, minerals, and the nutritive value of potatoes in human health and nutrition, global water scarcity, and the importance of pulses like peas in human health. As President of the International Friendship Association of PEI, he helped integrate new Canadians into life on PEI. As President of the Indo-Canadian Association of PEI, he provided leadership to promote greater social connections within the association and its members with south Asian cultural background and to adjust to a new multicultural environment. Dr. Gupta's leadership and expertise is sought even today by the newly elected younger executive members of various associations on PEI.

In June, Dr. Gupta received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal presented to him by PEI Premier, the Honourable Dennis King. The award marks the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne. Medals are awarded to Prince Edward Islanders who have provided volunteer service at the local level; contributed to the Province's reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples; contributed to the Province's diversity and inclusion goals, including the promotion of the Acadian and Francophone community; served, or are serving, in the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, and emergency services; or made a positive impact on the preservation of the environment. Dr. Gupta was nominated by AAFC Charlottetown Research and Development Centre Associate Director, Dr. Chris Kirby.

"I was honored and humbled to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. I am so proud of the achievements which led to me receiving this medal," says Dr. Gupta.

AAFC extends their wholehearted 'Congratulations' to Dr. Gupta!