Prof.T.R.Raju - A legendary neuroscientist who inspires generations

Professor Trichur R.Raju,FASc

Professor T.R.Raju - Senior Professor of Neurophysiology at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore is considered as one of the greatest neuroscientists of India.  His works on developmental neuroscience to understand critical roles of trophic factors, glia, neurotransmitter and intrinsic electrical activity in neuronal survival, growth and formation of synaptic connectivity in the developing retina are just phenomenal. He is one of the pioneers in describing cytoskeleton and cell motility in the world. Prof.Raju’s contribution towards understanding neuronal plasticity in the developing and adult nervous system is noteworthy.  His work on rewiring or remodeling of brain circuitries which can form the basis for treating patients suffering from stroke and depression are extremely significant in neurosciences. Prof.Raju’s one more great contribution is on central nervous system regeneration and resident stem cell activation. This research has a potential application for achieving successful regeneration in the central nervous system including the spinal cord to treat paralysis. His further works on preclinical models on rodents for neurological diseases explores new therapeutic modalities for treating neurodegenerative diseases of the nervous system..

Prof.M.Fahim - An iconic Vascular Physiologist of India

Professor Mohammad Fahim,FAMS

Professor M.Fahim- Alexander Humbolt Fellow to Germany was the 1^st PhD student of legendary Prof.A.S.Paintal,FRS. He is considered as one of the greatest physiologists of India who redefines post Paintal physiology to the world.. His works under Paintal guidance on atrial receptor type B changed our understanding on Chronic Heart Failure (CHF).  The discovery of atrial receptor B and further works on that by Fahim enriched our knowledge on significance of cardiac vagal afferent fibers on various cardiac reflexes. Fahim’s works on  cardiac sensory atrial receptor B showed scientific communities how much these receptors are responsible for neural regulation of blood pressure and circulating blood volume. Fahim’s research explained the mechanisms on  neuro-humoral abnormalities and progressive loss of cardiovascular control in CHF. His works provide revolutionary changes of pharmacology to identify drugs to regulate blood pressure and chronic heart failure.

Professor Fahim was the former Director Professor & Head, Department of Physiology, V.P.Chest Institute,University of Delhi and currently Adjunct Professor at Jamia Hamdard University.

Prof. Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri - A Legendary Indian Theoretical Physicist.

Prof. Amal K. Raychaudhuri, D.Sc, FNA, FNASc.

Prof. Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri (1923-2005) was Professor of Physics in Presidency College Calcutta. Professor Raychaudhuri's greatest contribution was to discover "Raychaudhuri Equation", which governs the dynamics of the Universe and changes the concept of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Prof. Raychaudhuri addressed the fundamental question of singularity in the most general form with no reference to any symmetry and any specific property of space time and energy distribution. His equation characterized by time like velocity vector under its own gravity and modified Einstein's equation and changes the history of the concept of universe. His equation is routinely used by Roger Penrose and Stephen Hawking to explain the theory of universe.

His biography has been written by J.V. Narlekar and a documentary film has been made on his life. Perhaps after Satyendra Nath Bose, he is the most accepted Indian Physicist by the Western World.

He was a great teacher, science orator and popularly known as AKR by his students. Even when I was in Presidency College (1979-82), I was fortunate to hear many of his lectures including the one on explanation to Dirac Equation. 

Professor B.N.Koley- The most Illustrious Experimental Physiologist in Post Paintal Era

Professor B.N.Koley & Madam Juthika Koley

Professor B.N.Koley- Former Professor & Head, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta  is one of the all time great Indian physiologist. He is perhaps the last icon in the Department of Physiology,Calcutta University who carried the legacy of Late Professor A.S.Paintal. Professor Koley's works on experimental physiology is recognized world wide. A true disciplined scientist in his life he has given the  shape of physiological sciences of "Post Paintal era" in India. He was a Welcome Trust Fellow at University of Leeds,UK.His works mainly on cardiac nociceptors, atrial receptors a & b and sensory functions at gut. He invented the projection of nonmyelinated afferent fibres from cardiovascular receptor areas to the area postrema where angiotensin II exerts an action on neurones activated by these afferent fibres. His works substantiate a relationship between the synaptic connexions of non-myelinated vagal afferent fibres from the heart and lungs and the area postrema first time in the domain of vascular sciences.

Professor Koley and Madam Juthika Koley were my teachers in University of Calcutta. Today whatever I am that is possible because of Professor Koley. My regards,respect and salute to our legendary Professor !