DBT awards outstanding research contributions

For the year 2017, out of 13 nominations received, following two awardees were selected for the 'Biotech Product, Process Development & Commercialization Awards' of 2 lakh each

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New Delhi: In order to recognize the outstanding contributions of scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, Indian institutions, and companies both in public as well as private sector, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) awards them every year with the Biotech Product, Process Development & Commercialization Awards. These awards are for a new process, product development, and commercialization of a technology or a product in the areas of biotechnology and biological sciences including agriculture, biomedical and environmental sciences.
For the year 2017, out of 13 nominations received for the DBT’s Biotech Product, Process Development & Commercialization Awards, two Awardees were selected for the Award of 2 lakh each. These include Dr Soma Guhathakurta and Dr Phani Kumar Pullela.
Dr Soma Guhathakurta, Director, Bioengineering SYNKROMAX Biotech and Chennai & Adjunct Professor IIT Madras has been selected in recognition of her work on development of SynkroScaff A tissue Engineered Pericardial Patch for clinical use.
She is a Medical graduate from Calcutta University and a qualified Cardio Thoracic surgeon from University College of Medicine under Calcutta University. She practiced Cardiac surgery for 27 years in many renowned institutions of India and abroad. She retired as a Senior Consultant, Cardiac surgeon and Joint Managing Director of Frontier Life line Hospital, Chennai.
Dr Phani Kumar Pullela, Professor, CMR Institute of Technology, Bangalore has been selected for the award in recognition of his work on development of matrix based Universal nucleic acid extraction system.
He did his bachelors from Government College, Rajahmundry and Masters from University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad in the year 1999. He did his PhD from University of Mysore and postdoctoral research from Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA under the guidance of Prof. Daniel S Sem. After post-doc, Dr Pullela returned to India and worked in a Bio-medical industry for seven years and joined at CMR Institute of Technology, Bangalore and working as Professor from last 3 years. His research group works with motto of ‘Science for Society’.
Up to five awards are given every year. Each award carries a cash amount of 2 lakh along with a citation and trophy. 5 lakh would be given if the product is commercialized and has much higher impact of utilization in the country.
The scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, Indian institutions and companies engaged in the area of biotechnology and biological sciences including agriculture, biomedical and environmental sciences can be nominated for the award.
Selection of the award is on the basis of recommendations of a Selection Committee constituted specifically for the purpose by the Department of Biotechnology.