Ram Kumar Saksena obtained DSc (1935) from University of Sorbornne, Paris. He remained Professor and Head, Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad.

Academic and Research Achievements: Saksena was deeply interested in mycology and plant pathology. He made a study of extra-nuclear cytology, particularly of mitochondria. He carried out detailed studies on various soil and aquatic fungi. Other areas of his interest were: physiology, taxonomy and cytology of the orders Peronosporales and Saprolegniales. He also made notable studies on Mucorales and soil fungi. Several mycologists named various species after him and created a genus Saksenaea in Mucorales.

Awards and Honours: Professor Saksena received the Birbal Sahni Gold Medal (1968) and Mundkur Memorial Lecture Award by Indian Phytopathological Society (1967). He was Founder Member and President, National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad; and President, Indian Botanical Society, Indian Phytopathological Society and Botany Section of Indian Science Congress (1953).