A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF DR. BHAI HARBANS LAL Harbans Lal is known, and admired by scientists, interfaith organizations, and his Sikh community around the world. As an academician, Dr. Lal retired in the year 2000 as Professor and Chairman, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Dallas, USA. In academic circles, he is known for his research in the areas of Behavioral Medicine, Substance Abuse, and on Prolongation of Healthy Life Span through Nutritional Interventions. He has served on many US and international science advisory boards, including study sections of National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and the US Food & Drug Administration. For 14 years he served as the Editor-in-Chief of a monthly journal, Drug Development Research. In 2005, a two hour television interview with Dr. Lal on his discoveries in the medical field was featured in the Archives of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. During his academic career, Dr. Lal trained 55 doctoral and pre-doctoral trainees, published over 319 research papers and 289 research presentations, 19 books, several research reviews and 56 chapters in technical books. University of North Texas Health Science Center established a pre-doctoral fellowship award in his name. The Society of Neuroscience recognized him at the International Symposium held in his honor in 1999. The Scientists of Indian Origin acknowledged his leadership by electing him their President and recognized his academic accomplishments with the Award of Outstanding Senior Neuroscientist. Affectionately known as “Bhai Sahib”, Dr. Harbans Lal holds many distinguished positions in Sikh institutions and organizations. He has been bestowed the honorific of “Bhai Sahib” in recognition of his seva and scholarly accomplishments to Sikhdom. The title was formerly awarded by the All India Sikh Students Federation in 1947 and, later on, by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee, in 1963, and reiterated in 1974. Since his school days, Bhai Harbans Lal has been active in promotion of Sikh interests. In 1946, he was appointed as a Circle Organizer, and then inducted in the Executive Committee of the All India Sikh Students Federation, the organization that elected him as its national President in 1954. He was the Founder President of the All India Sehajdhari Sikh Organization inaugurated in 1952 by Speaker of the Indian Parliament, Sardar Hukam Singh. The same year, Master Tara Singh honoured him with the presentation of a ceremonial kirpan and asked him to serve as an advisor to Shiromani Akali Dal. In 1995, Guru Nanak University, Amritsar, awarded him the Degree of Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) in recognition of his scholarly contributions to Sikh Studies. On April 14, 1999, the Anandpur Sahib Foundation awarded him the Order of Nishan-e-Khalsa for his “superb accomplishments in promoting the glory and pride of the Khalsa Panth.” Presently, Dr. Lal’s interests lie in promoting Sikh Studies and other community interests in North America. His writings on Sikh subjects have appeared in a multitude of books and in journals. He contributes columns in the religious section of the Dallas Morning News and serves on the editorial boards of a variety of Sikh journals and publications. Masjid Imam W. Deen Muhammad awarded him “The Ummah Award” in recognition of lifelong contributions to foster interfaith understanding. Unity Day, USA, representing 14 faith groups, honored him with a Life Acheivement Award for promoting unity among faiths in America. Dr. Lal continues to serve on a number of religious and humanitarian organizations in “retirement“. He has been serving as the Ambassador of the Parliament of the World's Religions since 2009 and as a member of the Interfaith Council of the Center for World Thanksgiving since 1983. He also serves as the Founder President of the Academy of Guru Granth Studies established for the promotion of scholarly works on Guru Granth Sahib.

• published: 04 Feb 2015
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