GITAM Faculty Awarded Prestigious Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowships, Strengthening India's Scientific Leadership

Bengaluru, October 3, 2024: Two faculty members from GITAM’s School of Science, Dr. Dhrubajyoti Chowdhary Chowdhury and Dr. Aparna Lajmi, have been awarded the prestigious Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowships by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi. This recognition, awarded after a highly competitive national selection process, carries significant research grants and support exceeding ₹50 lakhs each.

With his background in molecular neuroscience, Dr. Chowdhary Chowdhury aims to contribute to translational research following his experience at leading institutions worldwide. Dr. Lajmi, whose previous work focused on biodiversity and ecological sciences, has added depth to GITAM’s ongoing efforts in sustainability research. Their respective fields of expertise complement GITAM’s broader mission to address critical national and global challenges.

GITAM has strongly emphasised multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research as a key component of its broader efforts to contribute to India's Viksit Bharat vision. Over the past few years, GITAM has secured multiple grants to address global challenges and advance India's knowledge economy.

●        GITAM secured ₹ 28.87 crore in research grants through the Multidisciplinary Unit of Research on Translational Initiatives (MURTI), focusing on areas like molecular biology, food security, and environmental sustainability. These projects address global challenges such as climate change and sustainable agriculture.
●        GITAM Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI): In 2024, GITAM received a ₹ 4.57 crore grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to establish i-TBI, an incubator focused on fostering innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The incubator aims to support 50 startups and commercialise at least 20 products by 2026
●        GITAM's commitment to inclusive growth is demonstrated through ₹ 3.65 crore in DST grants to empower tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This includes establishing Niger seed oil processing units and honey processing technology to boost economic development.
●        GITAM students and alumni have also secured funding for technological innovations. For instance, Chintadu Sairam, a 4th-year B.Tech student, received ₹ 2 lakh for an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) project, while CtoSKY Pvt. Ltd., co-founded by a GITAM alumnus, was awarded ₹10 lakh for autonomous underwater vehicles in the shrimp industry.
●        GITAM has received funding from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) to explore the impact of national policies like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Digital India, furthering the institution's commitment to addressing social issues through research.
These accomplishments underscore GITAM’s role in addressing national and global challenges, propelling India toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Ramalingaswami Fellowships awarded to Dr.Chowdhury and Dr. Lajmi further bolster GITAM’s research ecosystem, bringing additional expertise and resources to the institution.

Quotes from the Fellowship Awardees
Dr. Dhrubajyoti Chowdhary Chowdhury expressed his enthusiasm: “I am honoured to receive the Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship, which will allow me to further explore molecular neurobiology questions, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that govern neuronal synapse function. My work at Yale and other leading institutions has provided valuable insights into synaptic proteins and their potential roles in neurological diseases. With the resources and interdisciplinary environment at GITAM, I am excited to contribute to translational research that could significantly impact healthcare and improve our understanding of neurobiological disorders.”
Dr. Aparna Lajmi, who recently joined GITAM from the University of Haifa, Israel, added, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship, which will enable me to advance my research on the evolution of Indian biota. My work has focused on examining patterns of species and trait diversity of natural populations using genomic tools. With GITAM’s interdisciplinary support and state-of-the-art facilities, I look forward to exploring new evolutionary biology and ecology frontiers that can address fundamental problems and inform conservation challenges facing India and the world.”
With these fellowships and ongoing strategic initiatives, GITAM is poised to play a key role in India’s national priorities, such as Make in India, Startup India, and the Skill India Mission. The university will continue its focus on building a multidisciplinary research ecosystem that nurtures global talent, fosters innovation, and directly supports India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.