Dr. P. Hariprasad | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1, 1962 Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. |
| Alma mater | Gulbarga University |
| Known for | Research in induced mutagenesis using EMS in tobacco |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Botany, Chemical Mutagenesis |
| Institutions | Gulbarga University, Vignan University, Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions |
| Thesis | Chemical Mutagenesis in Anther Haploids of Nicotiana tabacum (1991) |
| Doctoral advisor | Prof. V. Rangaswamy |
Dr. P. Hariprasad (born 1 April 1962) is an Indian botanist and educator best known for his research on Chemical Mutagenesis on Anther Haploids of Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco). He has over four decades of experience in teaching and research, and has mentored students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Early Life and Education
editDr. Hariprasad was born in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, India. He completed his schooling at N.S.S.M.H. in Tenali, followed by intermediate studies at Taluka Junior College, Tenali. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from VSR College, Tenali.
He pursued postgraduate and doctoral studies at Gulbarga University, Karnataka. During his M.Sc., he was awarded the gold medal and graduated with honors in Botany.
Research and Doctoral Work
editDr. Hariprasad conducted his doctoral research under the supervision of Professor V. Rangaswamy, who was part of the academic lineage of Nobel laureate Thomas Hunt Morgan. His doctoral mentor, Professor V. Rangaswamy, was academically descended from a lineage of eminent geneticists. Rangaswamy completed his Ph.D. under Dr. H. Müller, who in turn had been a doctoral student of Thomas Hunt Morgan, the Nobel laureate widely recognized as the founder of modern genetics. This connects Dr. Hariprasad to one of the most influential academic lineages in biological sciences.
His research focused on the effects of mutagenesis using EMS (ethyl methane sulfonate) on both haploid and diploid varieties of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).
His findings demonstrated that EMS was more effective in inducing mutations in haploid varieties. His work involved chromosomal-level modifications, including deletions, duplications, insertions, and gene inversions.
A major obstacle arose when his guide, Prof. Rangaswamy, passed away from cardiac arrest one month before the scheduled Thesis,The absence of a research supervisor delayed his submission, requiring legal amendments to university policy. Dr. Hariprasad postponed his marriage and spent an additional 18 months securing the degree, which was finally awarded in March 1991.
Academic Career
editDr. Hariprasad began teaching at the age of 23, often instructing postgraduate students older than him. He initially taught M.Sc. students at Gulbarga University, later moving to Vignan University to teach B.Sc. students.
Due to health concerns, he transitioned to teaching intermediate students. He is currently a senior faculty member at Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions, where he continues to teach at the age of 63.
His teaching career spans more than four decades, and he remains widely admired for his clarity, depth of knowledge, and ability to inspire students across all levels of science education.
Publications and Contributions
editDr. Hariprasad has co-authored various academic texts in botany. Notably, he contributed the Cell Biology section of the Andhra Pradesh State Science Textbook, which is part of the state curriculum for undergraduate and intermediate students.
Teaching Philosophy
editDr. Hariprasad is known not just for his subject mastery but for his deeply human approach to education. He believes that teaching is not simply the transfer of knowledge, but the shaping of character and curiosity. Renowned for his passion for education, Dr. Hariprasad continues to teach well into his sixties. When asked about his motivation, he simply states, “I like teaching kids.”
Legacy and Mentorship
editDr. Hariprasad has inspired several generations of students through his four-decade-long teaching career. He is credited with mentoring over 350 students who went on to become medical doctors, along with numerous others who pursued careers in scientific research and academia.
His perseverance through academic hardships, combined with a deep commitment to education, has earned him a respected place in botanical education in India. His approach to teaching continues to influence students across levels, from postgraduate scholars to intermediate learners.
See Also
editExternal Links
edit- [Commons file of Dr. Hariprasad's research photo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dr.Hariprasad_Research_at_Gulbarga_University.jpg)
- [Thomas Hunt Morgan – Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hunt_Morgan)
- [H. J. Muller – Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_Joseph_Muller)
- [Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions – Official website](https://srichaitanya.net/)
