Six young scientists honoured

HYDERABAD: Six scientists from research and academic institutions across the city were honoured by the Young Scientists Award instituted by the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences for the years 2010 and 2011 at the APAS Annual Convention-2011 held at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in the city on Friday. The researchers were presented with citations during the inaugural session of the three-day conference.The awardees for 2010 include Dr G. Dhanunjaya Naidu of National Geophysical Research Institute, Dr J Naga Padmavathi from National Institute of Nutrition and Dr K Suresh babu of IICT. The awardees for the current year were Dr V Kanchana, assistant professor at IIT-Hyderabad, Dr Parijat Roy (post-doctoral research fellow) of NGRI and Alok Pandey (research associate) of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.The awards are instituted to felicitate scientists below 35 years of age for their contribution to research.The inaugural address on ‘Health status of medical research in India’ was delivered by Dr MS Valiathan, a national research professor and Padma Vibhushan awardee. The address traced the genesis and journey of Indian medicine and introduction of western medical system in the country. Stressing the need for more medical practitioners to take on the role of researchers, Dr Valiathan stated, “There is a need for greater collaboration between hospitals and research institutes for research on medical standards pertaining to India.”The director of National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi Dr. Avadesh Surolia was also present.