The Founder President

Prof. Dr. S. Kannaiyan,
M.Sc.(Ag.)., Ph.D., C.Biol., M.Biol., (London), FIBA (Cambridge), FABI(USA),  FNAAS, FNABS, FISB, FAMI, FASC, FIBRF.

The Founder President of NABS
Period : From 31^st December, 2004 to 20^th October, 2011

Born on 4^th August, 1944 –Attained eternal bliss on 20^th October, 2011

About NABS  NABS was founded on  31 December, 2004 by  Prof. Dr. S. Kannaiyan,  the then  Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India., Chennai, Tamil Nadu,  with EC members and Headquarter at Chennai.  The Executive Council constituted at the time of registration, the President - Prof. Dr. S. Kannaiyan (Founder President), Vice President-Prof. N. Anand (Founder Vice-President) Secretary-Dr. S. S. Gnanamanickam (Founder Secretary) and Treasurer-Dr. T. L. Baskaran (Founder Treasurer).  The founder Executive Council members were Prof. V. Sundararajan, Dr. K. Balaraman and Prof. T. Subramoniam.

The Academy was registered as "National Academy of Biological Sciences" under the TN Societies registration Act 1975 (TN Act 27 of 1975) on 10^th March, 2005 at Chennai South, Saidapet, Chennai- 600 015 with Certificate of Registration No. 110 / 2005.

Vision  To provide a common platform for the biologists to interact with each other mutual benefit and to further the knowledge on areas of biological sciences.

Mission

i.  To foster and promote the new scientific knowledge that has emerged from recent advances in both basic and applied biological sciences in Agriculture, Animal sciences, Forestry  and all other disciplines of Biological Sciences.

ii.    To enable interaction between biologists for mutual benefits in Academic and /or Research, Educational or Transfer of technology.

iii.     To encourage and facilitate activities that are geared to improve society at large and in particular the under privileged sections of the society.

iv.  To focus on problems of malnutrition in women and children through scientific approach.

v.      To address the important issues of conservation of soil and water

vi.    To address the important issues of climate change and global warming

vii.   To focus more on the emerging issues on Biotechnology

viii. To create awareness on environmental issues

ix.     To facilitate technology transfer issues to farmers and other clients

x.  To further such objectives and goals as the General Body may decide from time to time.

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Dr.V.A.Parthasarathy, President, NABS

[From 13 October, 2011]
 

He was born on 17 June, 1949 in Srivilliputtur, Vridhunagar district, Tamil Nadu; Graduated from Coimbatore Agricultural College (Madras University, Chennai ) and obtained his Ph.D in Horticulture from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu . He did his Post Doctorate in UK on biotechnology of forest species and another Post doctorate in Biotechnology of Horticulture crops from Tuskegee University in USA.
 

Dr. V.A. Parthasarathy, Formerly Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut is a well known horticultural scientist, having vast experience in several horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, plantation crops and spices; experiences in hill and coastal horticulture and worked on breeding and biotechnology of horticultural crops. He served as Emeritus Scientist at IISR.
 

His dynamic leadership lead ICAR to recognize IISR as the best ICAR institute by conferring the Sardar Paltel Award for the best ICAR institute. He has edited  25 books on horticulture; contributed over 45 invited  chapters for edited books and  25 invited articles; published 175 research papers in peer reviewed journals; guided 11 Ph.D. students in biotechnology. 
 

As a team leader he won the ICAR best team award in 2002 for the contribution made in coconut biotechnology. He was also the COGENT Coordinator for India till 2002. 
 

He was the president of the Indian Society of spices. He is the executive councillor of Horticultural Society of India and Indian Society of Citriculture. He is the Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences, Indian Society of Genetics, Indian Society of Citriculture and Horticultural society of India.  He was the recipient of DBT’s overseas Associateship. He is also the founder Editor of NABS Newsletter. He also served as a National Project Coordinaotr, Bioversity International (CGIAR) TFT Project.
 

He is a Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai, India.
 

Dr.D. J. Bagyaraj, Vice-President, NABS

[From 13 October, 2011]

He was born on 9th October, 1940 in Bangalore, India. He graduated from Mysore University, Mysore, Karnataka, (B.Sc. (Ag.), Karnatak University, Dharwar, Karnataka, (M.Sc. (Ag.) and earned his doctorate form University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka.

He has specialized in Agricultural Microbiology – Mycorrhizal symbiosis, biofertilizers, and biological control.

Currently he holds the position of Chairman, CNBRCD, Bangalore and NASI Sr. Scientist, CNBRCD. He was ICAR Emeritus Scientist and INSA Sr. Scientist at UAS, Bangalore and Head, Dept. of Agricultural Microbiology, UAS, Bangalore.

He garnered number of awards and recognition such as Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwar Life Time Achievement Award, Dr. G. Rangaswami Endowment Award in Agricultural Microbiology, Natl. Hort. Mission Distinguished Scientist Award and so on.

He is a Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai; Indian Phytopathological Society; National Academy of Sciences, India; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Indian National Science Academy; Association of Microbiologists of India; Mycological Society of India; Society of Agricultural Biotechnologists.
 

Prof. T. Marimuthu, Secretary, NABS

Prof. Thambiayya Marimuthu hailing from a humble farming community was born on 2nd June 1948 at Sirangudi North, Thanjavur district, which is the grannery of South, in Tamil Nadu.  He is doctorate in Plant Pathology and his thesis was adjudged the best and awarded with Dr. A. N.  Puri Gold Medal.

Served Tamil Nadu Agricultural University since 1971 and was Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies and Director, Centre for Plant Protection Studies; introduced several reforms in research and education management; introduced skill development workshops; innovative educational management techniques including 'Post Graduate Seminar' which was unique.

Introduced several new concepts like Single Solution Seed Treatment, Bio-Media Mix, Bio-Manure, Antagonism Index and Vertical Distribution of Diseases which led to development of newer technologies / methodologies in crop protection; developed botanical formulations from mushroom and under exploited plants

One of the pioneers to introduce newer technologies in mushroom production in the country and responsible for the spread of mushroom culture in Tamil Nadu; he and his student were responsible for the release of newer mushroom varieties like APK-2 (milky mushroom), CO (OM)-2 (oyster mushroom); identified most efficient decomposer of coconut coir pith, Pleurotus platypus; established the possibility of ‘Outdoor Cultivation of Paddy Straw Mushroom’.

‘Uri’ method of oyster mushroom cultivation and replacement of bottle spawn with Bag spawn developed by Prof. T. Marimuthu and his team revolutionized oyster mushroom cultivation in Tamil Nadu.

Served in a number of technical committees at State and National levels like,  Member of QRT of ICAR, New Delhi for mushrooms and oil seeds; Visiting Scientist, AB-DLO. Wageningen, The Netherlands; Visiting Professor (UGC), University of Madras, Chennai; Senate Member, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu. 

As Joint Editor of International Journal of Noni Research, he published 19 technical bulletins on various aspects of Noni, Morinda citrifolia L.; organized 10 national seminars (Noni Search) on Morinda cirtrifolia L. including two World Noni Congresses (2010 & 2016)

He is also serving as Treasurer, International Society for Noni Science (ISNS), Chennai since 2010.

Fellowship:

• Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai

• Fellow of International Society for Noni Science, Chennai

Awards:

• Achiever Award-2010 by the Society for Advancement of Human and Nature, Solan, HP, India.

• Prof SS Chahal Life Time Achievement Award for 2016 by Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan

• Life Time Achievement Award in Agricultural Sciences (2016) by PEARL- A Foundation for Educational Excellence, Madurai.

Prof. T. L. Baskaran, Treasurer, NABS

He was born on 1 May, 1946 in a village -Thondamanatham of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu.

He had graduated from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu and earned his doctoral degree from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

He is an Agricultural Scientist specialized in Plant Pathology- Post-harvest diseases of fruits, Mushrooms and renowned undergraduate teacher. He is responsible for release of Yellow Mosaic Virus resistant mung bean and TNAU Brinjal-VRM-1.

During his tenure as Professor & Head of Agricultural Research Station (TNAU), Virinjipuram, the Plant Clinic Centre was awarded with Dr. Bisma Narain Singh Award.

He was a Training Consultant in HAND in HAND, an NGO organization at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

He is the founder Treasurer of NABS and a Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai, India.
 

Dr. S. Nakkeeran, Editor, NABS-NL, NABS
[From January, 2021]

Dr.S.Nakkeeran, Professor (Plan Pathology) hailing from Singampunari Village of Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu was born on 08 October 1968 and completed his schoolings at Singampunari; earned B.Sc. (Agri.) in 1990, M.Sc. (Agri.) Plant Pathology in 1992 and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology with Biological control as his specialization during 2001 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He completed his Post-Doctoral Programme at Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.

In his journey as Plant Pathologist, he has got 31 awards at State and National level. He served as Subject matter specialist in Plant Protection from 2005 to 2009 at Villupuram KVK, Tamil Nadu from 2005 to 2009. The University recognized his meritorious service rendered to farming community and was awarded with Best Extension Worker Award. Subsequently, he was also recognized with Best Researcher Award from TNAU. Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology at Udaipur, Rajasthan honoured him with Pesticides India Award, Dr.N.Prasad Memorial Award, P.R.Verma Memorial Award and Sree Guman Devi Award. Rotary Club of Coimbatore Cotton City honoured him with Vocational Excellence Award (08.04.2018). International Society for Noni Science honoured him with Outstanding Noni Scientist Award. Tamil Nadu State Government has also honoured him with the prestigious Tamil Nadu Scientist Award for Agriculture.

He is a Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai; Fellow of Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Udaipur, Rajasthan; Fellow of International Society for Noni Science, Chennai.  He is a serving member of Executive Council of NABS, Executive Council of ISMPP, Editorial Committee member of MASU. He is Editor- in- Chief for the Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology and Reviewer of Springer and Elsevier Journals.

He has garnered several externally funded projects from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, University Grants Commission, New Delhi, ICAR, New Delhi and Tamil Nadu State Government. He has widely travelled to Tanzania, Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Ethiopia and have trained more than 150 Scientists on Trichoderma technology in collaboration with Virginia Tech through US AID funded project.