Turaga Desiraju

{{short description|Indian neurophysiologist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox scientist

| name = Turaga Desiraju

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1935|5|26}}

| birth_place = Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

| death_date = 1992

| death_place =

| residence =

| nationality = Indian

| fields = {{ublist | Neurophysiology | Neuroscience }}

| workplaces = {{ublist | AIIMS Delhi | NIMHANS }}

| alma_mater =

| doctoral_advisor =

| doctoral_students =

| known_for = Neurophysiological studies on sleep and wakefulness

| awards = {{ublist| 1980 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize }}

}}

Turaga Desiraju (1935–1992; Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh) was an Indian neurophysiologist and a professor at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).{{Cite web |url=http://nphy.weebly.com/nphytimes/nphy-nimhans-founder-dr-t-desiraju-remembered-at-yoga-appreciation-course-inauguration |title= NPhy NIMHANS founder Dr. T Desiraju remembered at Yoga Appreciation Course Inauguration |date=2017 |publisher=Department of Neurophysiology - NIMHANS}} He was associated with AIIMS Delhi before joining NIMHANS{{Cite web |url=http://neuroscienceacademy.org.in/downloads/pub/Set1.pdf |title=Neurosciences - An Overview |date=2017 |publisher=Neuroscience Academy}} and founded the Department of Neurophysiology at NIMHANS in 1975.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nimhans.ac.in/kn/node/169 |title=Neurophysiology |date=2017 |publisher=NIMHANS}} He was known for his neurophysiological studies on sleep and wakefulness and his extensive studies on the activities of cerebral cortex helped to widen the understanding of conscious behaviour.{{Cite web |url=http://ssbprize.gov.in/content/Detail.aspx?AID=333 |title=Brief Profile of the Awardee |date=2017 |publisher=Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize}}

Desiraju's studies on the neuron-physiology of Yoga and theories of consciousness were the corner stones of Project Consciousness, an experimental project promoted by NIMHANS which incorporated Yoga practices.{{Cite web |url=http://doczz.net/doc/3278176/autonomic-changes-during--om--meditation |title=AUTONOMIC CHANGES DURING "OM" MEDITATION |last=SHIRLEYTELLES, R.NAGARATHNA, H.R.NAGENDRA |date=2017 |publisher=Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation}} He was the editor of Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology{{Cite web |url=http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED289320.pdf |title=Other Activities |date=2017 |publisher=National Inst. of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences}} and was an elected fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences.{{Cite web |url=http://nams-india.in/downloads/obit.pdf |title=NAMS Deceased Fellows |date=2017 |publisher=National Academy of Medical Sciences}} The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the apex agency of the Government of India for scientific research, awarded him the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, one of the highest Indian science awards for his contributions to Medical Sciences in 1980.{{cite web | url=http://ssbprize.gov.in/Content/AwardeeList.aspx | title=View Bhatnagar Awardees | publisher=Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize | date=2016 | accessdate=12 November 2016}}