Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University) (SRIHER) has established a Central Research Facility (CRF) to gain international recognition as a Centre of Excellence in Medical and Science & Technology Research. Prof. S.P.Thyagarajan, an internally renowned Biomedical Scientist and former Vice Chancellor, University of Madras conceptualized and developed the facility in 2007 in an area of 25,000 sq.ft. as the “A to Z gateway for 360O research by students, researchers and faculty members with State of art infrastructure, research promotion and implementation strategy, besides organisation and administration of all research and development programmes of the Deemed to be University. Prof. S.P. Thyagarajan, who is heading the Central Research facility and the Faculty of Clinical Research, is currently Professor of Eminence & Dean (Research), SRIHER.
He is a D.Sc. in Microbiology in addition to his Ph.D. and M.D. Degrees and has also been conferred with several Fellowship titles including those by National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medical Sciences. The most recent honour accorded to him is the “Honorary Fellowship of Royal Society of Physicians & Surgeons, Glasgow, UK in Travel Medicine. He has put in 50 years of teaching and research experience in Tamilnadu Medical Colleges, University of Madras and Sri Ramachandra University. He has till date completed 60 research projects funded by national and inter-national funding agencies. He has published 347 research papers and 20 books in the area of infectious diseases and Drug development from Natural products; He is the recipient of 42 International/National/State Awards in recognition of his scientific and academic contributions. He has collaborated with international Scientists/Clinicians from 26 countries with mutual visits to these countries/institutions. He has guided 32 candidates for their Ph.D. and 12 candidates for post-doctoral research. He is the inventor of a patented drug for the treatment of Chronic jaundice, called Hepatitis-B from the Indian medicinal plant, Phyllanthus amarus, [Kizhanelli in Tamil], which has already been marketed by an University-Industry agreement under the brand name “VIROHEP” by Rallis India Pharmaceuticals/ Shreya Life Sciences, Mumbai, bringing financial benefits to the University of Madras.
He is coordinating organizationally and administratively all the International and national level funded research projects and collaborations of SRIHER, with several Centres of Excellence in research granted by these agencies like NIH,WHO,DST,DAE,ICMR,DBT etc.,
During his higher education career spanning over a period of 48 years, he has served as Chairman / Member of several Expert Committees of UGC / ICMR / DST / DBT / DRDO / MOES / WHO / NAAC Peer Teams and developed UGC Regulations, Multicentric Research projects of funding agencies and National Programmes of MHRD including RUSA for the State Universities and Colleges.
The overall ambit of ‘CRF’ include:
Facilities for Research meetings, Skype / Conference call with collaborators and conference room are the enabling services. In a nutshell, CRF has provided an ‘innovation ecosystem’ for Research & Development, Industry – Academia Plat form and for development of entrepreneurs and ‘Startups’.