Dr. Zafar Handoo is a Research Microbiologist with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA, ARS) at Beltsville, Maryland, USA. He conducts research on the systematics and morphology of plant-parasitic nematodes. Identifies nematodes from federal, state, and foreign agencies and scientists for research, control and regulatory purposes. Curates and expands the USDA Nematode Collection and uses the resources of the Collection to better understand nematode systematics. Develops new methods for identifying nematodes quickly and accurately as well as develops data on nematode hosts, occurrence and distribution. Dr. Handoo has about 48 years of research experience in Nematology and other related agricultural fields. He started his career in 1978 as a Nematologist for the State Department of Agriculture, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Shalimar, Kashmir and later in 1981 joined the USDA, ARS at Beltsville, Maryland, USA. In 1977, Dr. Handoo was awarded Ph. D degree in Zoology with specialization in Plant Nematology by the University of Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Handoo has more than 230 research publications in journals of international repute to his credit. He serves as the Editor of the Journal of Nematology (USA) and other International Journals. He has served chair for many Nematological Societies.