Ch. Mohan Rao

{{Infobox scientist

| name = Ch. Mohan Rao

| image = File:Harsh Vardhan unveiling the plaque to dedicate the Medical Biotechnology Complex of CSIR-CCMB to the Nation, in Hyderabad. The Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge), Shri Bandaru Dattatreya (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Ch. Mohan Rao, erstwhile CCMB Director and Union Minister of Health, Harsh Vardhan, unveiling the plaque dedicating CSIR-CCMB's Medical Biotechnology Complex to the Nation.

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|1|19|df=y}}

| birth_place = Huzurabad, Hyderabad State (now Telangana), India

| nationality = Indian

| fields = Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science

| workplaces = Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
Scientist (1984-2009)
Director (2009-2016)
CSIR Distinguished Scientist (2016-2023)
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, HOD and Senior Professor Emeritus (2024-Present)

| alma_mater = National Eye Institute, University of Hyderabad
Kakatiya University

| known_for = Molecular chaperones, Photoacoustic spectroscopy

| awards = Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Medical Science (1999)
Elected Fellow, INSA, NASI, IAS, TWAS

| website = [https://e-portal.ccmb.res.in/e-space/mohan/index.html Official website]

| birth_name = Mohan Rao Chintalagiri

}}

Mohan Rao Chintalagiri (born 19 January 1954) is an Indian molecular biologist renowned for his contributions to the fields of biophysics and molecular biology.{{Cite web |title=nanoHUB.org - Members: View: Ch. Mohan Rao |url=https://nanohub.org/members/30815 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=nanohub.org}} He has earned international recognition for his work on molecular chaperones as well as his contribution to the field of photoacoustic spectroscopy in health and disease. He is currently a Senior Professor Emeritus and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at the Hyderabad campus of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani.{{Cite web |title=Indian Research Information Network System |url=https://bits-pilani.irins.org/profile/228837 |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=irins.inflibnet.ac.in |language=en}} He is a former director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and served as a CSIR-Distinguished Scientist.{{Cite web |title=CCMB {{!}} Research-Group |url=https://www.ccmb.res.in/People/Research-Group/Ch-Mohan-Rao |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.ccmb.res.in}} He received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1999, the highest science honor in India.{{Cite web |title=Awardee Details: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize |url=https://ssbprize.gov.in/content/Detail.aspx?AID=3 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=ssbprize.gov.in}}

Early life and education

Ch. Mohan Rao pursued his academic journey at Osmania University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in botany, zoology, and chemistry in 1975. Subsequently, in 1977, he completed his master's degree in chemistry from Osmania University PG Centre Warangal, presently known as Kakatiya University, Warangal. In 1984, he earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of Hyderabad, focussed on photoacoustic spectroscopy of chemical and biological systems.{{Cite web |last=India |first=The Hans |date=2015-01-21 |title=Dr Ch Mohan Rao had a passion to be scientist |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hyderabad-Tab/2015-01-21/Dr-Ch-Mohan-Rao-had-a-passion-to-be-scientist/127035 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}

Career

Rao's distinguished career includes 30 years of service as a distinguished scientist and subsequently as the director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, India, from 1984 to 2023.{{Cite web |last=India |first=The Hans |date=2015-10-11 |title=Medical Biotech Complex opened at CCMB |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2015-10-11/Medical-Biotech-Complex-opened-at-CCMB/180255 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}} Currently, he serves as a Senior Professor Emeritus and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, starting in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Ch |first=Mohan Rao |date=2024-01-02 |title=Dr. Mohan Rao Ch |url=https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/hyderabad/chmohanrao/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=BITS Pilani |language=en-US}} Throughout his career, he held prestigious positions globally, including visiting associate at the National Institutes of Health (1990–92), visiting professor at Tokyo Science University, Japan (1996), visiting professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and the Institute for Protein Research in Osaka University, Japan. Additionally, he served as an adjunct professor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Awards and honors

Rao's outstanding contributions to science have earned him numerous accolades.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-10 |title=CCMB director selected for Ramineni Foundation, USA award |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/ccmb-director-selected-for-ramineni-foundation-usa-award/articleshow/44770645.cms |access-date=2024-01-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |last=India |first=The Hans |date=2014-10-12 |title=CCMB director to receive Vishishta Puraskaaram |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2014-10-11/CCMB-director-to-receive-Vishishta-Puraskaaram/111252 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=thehansindia.com |language=en}}

In 1999, he was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, in the Medical Sciences category, the highest science award in India. Furthermore, he is an elected fellow of esteemed organizations such as the Indian National Science Academy,{{Cite web |title=INSA :: Fellow Detail |url=https://insajournal.in/intranetinsa/fellow_detail.php?id=P00-1284 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=insajournal.in}} National Academy of Sciences, India, Indian Academy of Sciences, and The World Academy of Sciences.{{Cite web |last=Sciences (TWAS) |first=The World Academy of |title=Rao, Mohan Chintalagiri |url=https://twas.org/directory/rao-mohan-chintalagiri |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=TWAS |language=en}} He was awarded honorary doctorate by the Kakatiya University and distinguished alumnus award by the University of Hyderabad.

Professional Affiliations

Beyond his research and academic achievements, Dr. Rao actively contributed to various scientific societies. He served as the President of the Society of Biological Chemists (India), Indian Biophysical Society, Andhra Pradesh Academy of Science, and the Telangana Academy of Sciences.{{Cite web |last=ENS |date=2014-11-12 |title=AP Akademi's Science Congress from Tomorrow |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2014/Nov/12/ap-akademis-science-congress-from-tomorrow-681635.html |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} Additionally, he played a key role as an Executive Committee member for the Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics at Madurai Kamaraj University.