R. M. Pitchappan

R. M. Pitchappan or Ramasamy Pitchappan, Ph.D., F.A.Sc., F.A.M.S. (born 1946), is an Indian biologist known for his studies on immunogenetics and infectious diseases. He was a professor in the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) of the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU). In addition, Pitchappan held the positions of director, Educational Medical Research Centre, director-research, Chettinad University, Chennai, and adjunct professor, ICMR Andaman Nicobar Islands. He also held the position of the vice-president of the Nilgiri Adivasi Welfare Association in Kotagiri, Nilgiris, and as an advisor to the ancient DNA programme of Government of Tamil Nadu.

Contribution in science

Pitchappan has used an integrative approach and new DNA technologies to explore infectious illnesses and human population genetics. His discoveries include the genomic predisposition for leprosy, tuberculosis susceptibility, and the first out of Africa emigration of modern man through India. His publications explained the pre-Aryan origins of the Brokpa, a Dardic-speaking tribe from Dah-Hanu, Leh, and Ladak as well as the beginnings of the caste system in India. As several male-mediated migrations from various places came together in one location, they merged into caste-like clans. To his credit, he has delivered keynote addresses and symposium speeches at UNESCO, numerous international congresses on HLA and immunology, as well as World Tamil Conferences. He has also published more than 100 research articles in peer-reviewed journals.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Awards and recognition

Pitchappan's awards and recognition include:^[4]

1980: Visiting Scientist to the laboratory of Director Prof. Jean Dausset, Nobel Laureate
1985: Outstanding Young person award
1995: Jaycees of Tamil Nadu and Lancet's Investigator Award
2002: IIH-ICMR, Mumbai, Elected Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, India
2002: Elected Fellow of National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
2003: Member, International Advisory Committee, 7th Asia-Oceania Histocompatibility workshop, Karuizawa, Japan
2003: International Collaborative Research Grants: Commission of European Communities, The Wellcome Trust Centre, London, UK; INSERM (France)-ICMR Grant on TB, H.M.Bhatia Memoraial Oration Award - ICMR-IIH, Mumbai, Life Time Achievement Award - Association of Microbiologists of India - Tamil Nadu.

References

^ Pitchappan, R. M. (March 1996). "Castes, Migration, Immunogenetics and Infectious Diseases in South India". Community Genetics. 5 (3): 157–161. doi:10.1159/000066329. JSTOR 26664592. PMID 14960884. S2CID 23542461. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
^ "Prof. RM. Pitchappan". Infectious diseases congress. March 1996. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
^ "Geneticists identify first Indians". Hindustan Times. April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
^ "School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai" (PDF). School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

[1] Pitchappan, R. M. (March 1996). "Castes, Migration, Immunogenetics and Infectious Diseases in South India". Community Genetics. 5 (3): 157–161. doi:10.1159/000066329. JSTOR 26664592. PMID 14960884. S2CID 23542461. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

[2] "Prof. RM. Pitchappan". Infectious diseases congress. March 1996. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

[3] "Geneticists identify first Indians". Hindustan Times. April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-02.

[4] "School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai" (PDF). School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

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