Pro Chancellor

Professor Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao is an eminent academician, scientist, and education leader with distinguished contributions to the fields of Biology, Genome Sciences, and Higher Education in India. He has joined SGT University as the Pro Chancellor, bringing with him decades of academic, research, and administrative excellence.

Prior to joining SGT University, Professor Rao served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad. He also held the positions of Senior Professor, Chair of Biology, and Dean-Faculty at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati. Earlier, he was associated with the Biology Department at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research for nearly 24 years, where he served as Senior Professor and Chair of the Biology Programme before moving to IISER Tirupati in 2018.

A National Science Talent Awardee, Professor Rao secured the 1st rank in Andhra Pradesh and 16th rank nationally. He earned his PhD from the Indian Institute of Science and later worked as a Research Scientist at Yale University School of Medicine before joining TIFR, Mumbai.

Professor Rao is a Fellow of all three National Science Academies of India and a recipient of the prestigious Sir J. C. Bose Award from the Department of Science and Technology. His pioneering research in Genome Biology, cellular regulation, and adaptive systems has led to more than 160 peer-reviewed international publications with significant impact and citations. His interdisciplinary work spans Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

He has served on several national and international committees related to Science, Technology, and Education policy and has delivered lectures across the globe. A strong advocate of concept-oriented and knowledge-centric education, Professor Rao emphasizes critical thinking, interactive learning, and a “do-it-yourself” approach to scientific inquiry.

Professor Rao has also contributed significantly as the Chief Editor of the Journal of Biosciences, a flagship journal of the Indian Academy of Sciences and Springer Nature. As a DST-Inspire teacher, he has inspired students nationwide by communicating the excitement and relevance of fundamental Biology.

With his visionary leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to innovation in education and research, Professor Rao is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening SGT University’s pursuit of global academic and research excellence.