National Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Vasantharaj Baliah David
FELLOW, ELECTED 1998

Born in Insein, Myanmar on 17 November 1935. Educated at V.M. Board High School, Periyakulam 1947-51; The American College, Madurai 1951-53; Madras Agricultural College, Coimbatore 1953-56; Agricultural College & Research Institute, Coimbatore 1959-61. B.Sc. (Ag.) 1956; M.Sc. (Ag.) 1961; Ph.D. 1972; D.Sc. 1995.

Madras Agricultural Department 1956-59; Asst. Lecturer/ Lecturer in Entomology, Coimbatore 1961-68; Product Development Manager, Agrochemicals, Voltas Ltd., Mumbai 1975-81; Director, Fredrick Institute of Plant Protection & Toxicology, Padappai 1981-87; Executive Director (Development), Rhone Poulenc Agrochemicals India Ltd., Mumbai, 1987-91; Director (Development), Coromandel Indag Products India Ltd., Chennai 1999-2000, 1991-94; Director, Jai Research Foundation, Valvada (Gujarat) 1994-99; President, Sun Agro Biotech Research Centre, Chennai, 2003-10; Executive Director, Sun Agro Biosystem Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, 2000-10; Head, Centre for Toxicology & Developmental Research (CEFT), Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, 2013-2015. Chairman, Scientific and Academic Board, International Institute of Biotechnology & Toxicology, Padappai, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu 2013-20; and International Consultant (GLP), Rotam Research Laboratory, Kunshan, China 2005-17.

Awards/Honours: The 30th Anniversary Scroll of Honour of the Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai; Society of Toxicology India Scroll of Honour; Smt. Sarada Memorial Award 1993-94; Goschen medal 1955; The Ramasastrulu Munagala gold medal; The V.C.Vellingiri Gounder gold medal; O.M. Lakshminarayana Reddy shield and medal; Felicitated by Agricultural University, Raipur and Applied Zoologists Research Association, 2008; Loyola Environmental Award, 2010; AAPMHE Life Time Achievement Award, 2010; Prof. P.K. Gupta Distinguished Scientist Lifetime Achievement Award in Toxicology of STOX, India, 2012; Late Gyan Prakash Memorial Award in Plant Protection; President, Applied Zoologists Research Association; Life Time Achievement Award-2016 in Agriculture and Allied Sciences by Samagara Vikas Welfare Society, Lucknow; Conferred with the EET CRS 5th Faculty Branding Award 2017 in the category International Achievement Award and the NABS- Leadership Award for 2016 by the National Academy of Biological Sciences, Chennai; Loyola Award for Social Concern 2017. The International Plant Protection Congress IPPC 2019 honored Dr. B. Vasantharaj David in recognition of outstanding contributions in Plant Protection in India on 13th November 2019 at Hyderabad. Conferred with Indo Asian- Emeritus Scientist Award 2021 in Entomology by IMRF Institute of Higher Education and Research, promoted by International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation, India; Distinguished Scientist Award by VDGOOD Professional Association in April 2021 and Honorary Fellowship Award by the Society for Biocontrol Advancement in March 2021.

Fellow: Entomological Society of India; Plant Protection Association of India; Applied Zoologists Research Association; Society of Biosciences; Gujarat Science Academy; Madras Science Foundation; Society for Biocontrol Advancement; Entomology Academy of India; Royal Entomological Society, London; National Academy of Biological Sciences; Academy of Sciences for Animal Welfare; Association for Advancement of Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystem; Society of Plant Protection Sciences. Established and inaugurated the Dr. B. Vasantharaj David Foundation on 17th November 2019, the motto being " Promoting Science and Green Environment".

Research Areas: Taxonomy of Aleyrodidae, agricultural entomology, crop protection and toxicology, GLP facility establishment and training

Address: Plot No. 76/2, Sree Ramulu Street, E.V.P. Santosh Nagar, Madanandapuram, Chennai 600125, Tamil Nadu; [Tel: Cell: 9840164099; Email: drbvdavid@gmail.com; vasantharajdavid@yahoo.com]

Member Executive Council 1 Jan, 2004 to 31 Dec, 2006; Dr. K.C. Mehta Memorial Award 2011-2012