Chief scientific avisor

In recognition of his contributions to medical biotechnology, Professor Pillai was appointed Director, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) an autonomous institution of the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology in 2005, making him then at 44, the youngest head of a national research institution. He then continued for a tenure of 15 years. Dr. Pillai is also credited with the development and managing of a technology business development incubator – BioNest at Cochin. This incubator now has 32 start-up companies – the only biotechnology institute in the country to do so. Teaching has forever remained Professor Pillai’s primary passion. He successfully created RGCB’s Ph.D. program to be one of the best and most competitive in the country and initiated India’s first exclusive Ph.D. in Translational Science & Medicine (TSM) Program designed to train candidates with terminal degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary sciences, and pharmacy to become leaders of the next generation of translational science. Thirty-three students took their PhD under Professor Pillai’s mentorship in addition to several medical and dental postgraduate students who did their master dissertations with him. Another notable event was his inception of a Master’s program in Biotechnology at RGCB, with unique specializations in disease biology, genetic engineering, and molecular diagnostics. This program has become one of the best and most sought-after in India. Further details about Professor Pillai and his credentials can be seen at www.mrpillai.com.