Is Kumaun University's VC Professor Diwan S Rawat the Newest FNA of the Indian National Science Academy?

New Delhi, Sep 12 (NationPress) The Indian National Science Academy has recognized Professor Diwan S Rawat from Delhi University as a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (FNA), which is regarded as the highest accolade in Indian science.

Professor Rawat serves as a Senior Professor of Chemistry at the University of Delhi and is presently the Vice Chancellor of Kumaun University. He boasts an impressive portfolio of over 175 published research papers and holds nine patents.

As per the Indian National Science Academy, Professor Rawat was honored for his contributions in Medicinal Chemistry, particularly for his groundbreaking research in developing drugs for Parkinson's disease. At the onset of his career, he completed postdoctoral studies at Indiana University and Purdue University in the USA.

Rawat shared with IANS that the molecule produced in his lab has successfully passed phase I human clinical trials for Parkinson's treatment. This marks the first molecule to receive US FDA approval from an Indian academic institution. Before joining the University of Delhi in 2003, he served as an Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Mohali.

Hailing from Uttarakhand, he is the second Chemistry Professor to receive this honor, following Dr. DS Bhakuni, who was awarded the FNA in 1979 and was Professor Rawat's PhD supervisor. Rawat also informed IANS that two additional molecules developed by his lab are in the preclinical development phase—one targeting autoimmune diseases and the other for dementia.

Professor Rawat has published more than 175 research papers that have been cited over 7750 times, boasting a remarkable h-index of 52 and an i10 index of 139. He has supervised 28 doctoral candidates. He mentioned that as Vice Chancellor, he has initiated numerous reformative measures at Kumaun University, securing Rs 100 crore under the MERU, DST Pair grant, and acquiring 26.4 acres of land at Patwadangar to establish the MERU campus. Despite his administrative role, he continues to engage with students by regularly teaching classes.

At the University of Delhi, Rawat joined the Department as a Reader in July 2003 and advanced to Professor in March 2010. He earned his master’s degree from Kumaun University, Nainital, in 1993, where he was recognized with a merit certificate for achieving the top position in the University. He completed his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry at the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow.