Khem Shahani (1923–2001) was an Indian microbiologist who conducted pioneer research on probiotics (live microorganisms). Career Khem Shahani is best known for his discovery of the DDS-1 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus in 1959, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. One of his many contributions to biology in the years to come, in this landmark discovery, Shahani observed the high level of stability and nutritional viability of the DDS-1 strain. This unique feature meant that the probiotics were able to pass through the stomach acid and implant in the intestine where it could multiply over 200-fold. Shahani would later name the strain DDS-1 for the Department of Dairy Science Number One strain and spend the rest of his career unlocking its potential for improving overall health. During his lengthy career, Shahani published over 200 articles in peer reviewed scientific journals and was a consultant for international agencies such as the World Health Organization. Among these, 80 publications were about Probiotics and Lactic Cultures. In 1981, Shahani founded Nebraska Cultures, a probiotics manufacturing and research company. Today, Nebraska Cultures is one of the largest international probiotic supplement manufacturers and suppliers. He served as a consultant for several food and feed supplements and nutrients manufacturing and marketing companies, including Klaire Laboratories, National Enzyme Company, Nutraceutical Corporation, Kovac, TwinLab, Arise & Shine, American Biologics, Cell Tech (now New Earth Life Sciences), Infinity2, Nutratec SAS, and others. Khem Shahani died on 6 July 2001 while on a speaking tour in Sicily (Italy). In 2005, a professorship was established at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in his name, honouring his work as scientist and professor. Academic background Khem Shahani earned the BS (1943, Major: Dairy and Food Technology; and Nutritional Microbiology) and the MS (1947, Major: Dairy Chemistry; Minor: Microbiology) degrees at the University of Bombay, then the PhD (1950, Major: Food and Dairy Science; Minor: Biochemistry) at the University of Wisconsin. Research and teaching Khem Shahani taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1950 to 1952 and Ohio State University at Columbus from 1953 to 1957. In 1957 Shahani accepted a post at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in the department of Dairy Science, later changed to the Department of Food Science and Technology in 1961. He retired from full-time teaching in 1994, but continued some teaching and research until 2000. Shahani conducted basic research and developmental work as related to the science