PROF. H.A. RANGANATH
Hassan Annegowda Ranganath was born on 16 th June 1948, Karnataka. He earned the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from University of Mysore, after which he worked in the same university as UGC Junior Research Fellow from 1971 to 1973 and CSIR Senior Research Fellow from 1973 to 1975 in the Post Graduate Department of Zoology. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1975 under the supervision of Prof. N.B. Krishnamurthy. He has post-doctoral experience in the laboratories of Germany and United Kingdom.
ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS : Prof. Ranganath has served the University of Mysore for over three decades in different capacities. He has made original contributions in the area of Genetics of speciation and evolution. His focus is on the Evolutionary cytogenetics of the ‘ nasuta sub-group of Drosophila '. During the last two and a half decade, he was able to dissect out the pattern and the process of evolutionary divergence of the nasuta cluster by a multidimensional approach. An important dimension of Prof. Ranganath's contribution is his experimental analysis of “Hybridization and Raciation in Drosophila” in the environs of laboratory. The analysis covers over 450 generations. This is considered as one of the best documented study in support of ‘catalytic role of hybridization in evolution' particularly for animal systems. This is a sort of large scale evolutionary experimentation under laboratory conditions and the members of this complex which are at different stages of evolutionary divergence, offer a rare and an unique opportunity to study the multidimensional process of raciation. He has mentored 12 doctoral students and has published 125 papers in peer reviewed journals.
During March 2006, he was appointed as Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University. As Vice-chancellor he has taken several initiatives to enhance the quality in teaching, research and administration of Bangalore University. Subsequently, on 18 th August 2008, Prof. H.A. Ranganath has assumed the charge of Director, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous institution of UGC.
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS: Prof. Ranganath has established a National Facility called “Drosophila Stock Center” at Mysore University and since 1994 this center is catering to the needs of over 250 institutions in the country by providing genetic stocks of Drosophila both for teaching and research purposes. Another center called “Unit on Evolution and Genetics” is coming up at Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, under his leadership with the funding from the Department of Science and Technology, Delhi under its programme ‘Intensification of Research under High Priority Areas'(IRHPA).
AWARDS: Prof. Ranganath was awarded the INSA Young Scientist Medal (1979), UGC Career Award (1986), Golden Jubilee Award of the University of Mysore (1994), Prof. Y.T. Thathachari National Award for Science (2003) and Aryabhata Award (2008). He is the elected Fellow of Science Academies of our country, namely (1) Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc., ), (2) National Academy of Sciences (FNASc.,), Indian National Science Academy (FNA) and Foundation Fellow of Entomology Academy of India (FEAI).
