In a moment of pride for the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Prof. Jayant B. Udgaonkar from the Department of Biology has been honored with the prestigious Vigyan Shri Award for 2024. This award is part of the newly established Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar by the Government of India, acknowledging remarkable contributions to the fields of science and technology.
Prof. Udgaonkar is among the 33 scientists and technologists selected for the 2024 Vigyan Puraskar, which includes various categories such as Vigyan Ratna Award, Vigyan Shri Award, Vigyan Yuva Award, and Vigyan Team Award.
The felicitation ceremony for Prof. Udgaonkar took place at the IISER Pune campus, where he shared insights from his scientific journey in a special talk. The event was attended by the Director of IISER Pune, Prof. Sunil Bhagwat, faculty members, and students, all of whom expressed their admiration and best wishes for Prof. Udgaonkar.
During his talk, Prof. Udgaonkar discussed his pioneering research in protein folding, which has significant implications in biotechnology and medicine. He highlighted the importance of understanding how proteins fold, misfold, and aggregate, using biophysical techniques to study the kinetics and pathways involved in these processes.
Prof. Udgaonkar also reflected on his long association with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru and emphasized the role of faculty members in contributing to the growth of research institutions through administrative responsibilities.
The event was organized by Dr. Mayurika Lahiri, with remarks from senior scientist Dr. A.A. Natu and PhD student Suman Pal, who commended Prof. Udgaonkar’s contributions to science and his mentorship of young scientists.
Prof. Jayant B. Udgaonkar has had a distinguished career in biophysics spanning over three decades, starting with his academic journey at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and continuing with research at Cornell University and Stanford University before joining NCBS and later IISER Pune.
His research on protein folding has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of protein folding, unfolding, and misfolding, with applications in understanding diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Throughout his career, Prof. Udgaonkar has received numerous awards and honors, including the Bhatnagar Prize for Biological Sciences, the G.N. Ramachandran Gold Medal, and the J.C. Bose National Fellowship. He has also been actively involved in mentoring young scientists and serving on editorial boards of scientific journals.
IISER Pune, established in 2006 by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, is a renowned institution for science teaching and research, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. The institute is known for its high-quality research and academic instruction, consistently ranking among the top research institutions in India.
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