Interview

Abstract

Prof. (Dr.) Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay is currently the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata from January 2020 onwards and was the Founder Vice Chancellor of Amity University Kolkata from 2015-2019. Prof. Chattopadhyay was the Dean, Faculty of Science at the University from 2003 to 2007. He was the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University on 2008 till 2015.He was also the Director at the Centre for Research in Nano Science and Nano Technology at the University from 2007 till 2015.

Prof. Chattopadhyay started his career as a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Jogamaya Devi College Calcutta, from 1981 till 1983 after which he joined as a Lecturer in the Department of Bio-Chemistry, University of Calcutta in 1983. In 1997 he became the Guha Professor at Dr. B.C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering Biotechnology under the department of Bio-chemistry, University of Calcutta.

He graduated as a Bachelor in Science from the Presidency College, Kolkata in 1973 with a major in Chemistry. Prof. Chattopadhyay did his Masters in Science in Bio-Chemistry in 1975 and completed his PhD in 1984 from Bose Institute Calcutta, Department of Bio-Chemistry at Bose Institute, Calcutta.

Prof. Chattopadhyay has a research experience of more than 33 years. During his research career he had visited numerous places in India and abroad. Dr. Chattopadhyay had been to Roche institute of Molecular Biology in New Jersey, USA as a visiting Post-doctoral Fellow, As visiting Project Scientist to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Ohio, USA, To Stowers Research Institute, Kansas City, USA, To the University of Texas, USA, To Nihon University and Hosei University both located in Japan.

He is also the recipient of numerous awards, accolades and distinctions which includes The Young Scientist award in 1989, Member of Guha Research Conference in 1992, Professor Umakant Sinha Memorial Award in 1992, Fellow of the National Academy of Science in 1998, He received the prestigious UNESCOIUMS- MIRCENS-SGM fellowship to carry out research under the department of Bio-chemistry at the University of Texas. He was the Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in 2004, Fellow of West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology in 2006 to name a few. Dr. Chattopadhyay has life time memberships in various Organistions and Scientific Associations like Indian Science Congress Association, Member of the Asiatic Society, Member of Biotechnology Society, Member of Virological Society and so on.

Above all these, Prof. Chattopadhyay is a wonderful teacher. He has a teaching experience of more than 35 years during which a lot many students have completed their PhD’s successfully under his able guidance and has brought fame and glory to themselves as well as to the country. 25 students obtained their PhD under his direct supervision and 10 more students worked under his joint supervision during their PhD programme. He has around 130 research papers and 6 book chapters to his credit till date.

Prof. (Dr.) Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay is a scientist and academic par excellence. He has an established track record of highly innovative ideas and in-depth research activities. He is an excellent communicator with an impressive logical approach of delivery and communicating ability. His gifted communication skills make him an excellent class room teacher. His amiable personality and willingness to share group responsibilities allow him to be a precious member of any administration team.