Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath facts for kids

Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath is a brilliant Indian scientist who studies the brain. She is a neuroscientist, which means she focuses on how our brains work. She also studies what happens when brains don't work properly. She has done amazing work in India. She helped set up important centers where scientists can research brain diseases.

Currently, she is a professor at the Centre for Neuroscience. This center is part of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. She was also the first director of the National Brain Research Centre in Gurgaon. This center was founded in 2000. She also started the Centre for Neuroscience at the Indian Institute of Science. Her main interest is studying brain problems. This includes diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Today, she is the founding director of the Centre for Brain Research in Bangalore.

Her Journey in Science

Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath studied a lot to become a top scientist. She earned her first degrees, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and a Master of Science (M.Sc.), from Andhra University. In 1981, she received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Mysore University. After that, she worked in the United States. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute.

Later, she joined the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore. There, she studied how the human brain processes different substances. She looked closely at how the brain handles medicines that affect mood. She also studied how environmental toxins might impact the brain. In 1999, she helped the Indian government. She worked with the Department of Biotechnology. Together, they created the National Brain Research Centre. This center helps connect and support brain research groups across India.

Amazing Awards and Honors

Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath has received many important awards. She is also an elected member of several top Indian science groups. These include the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy. She is also part of the National Academy of Medical Sciences.

Here are some of her major awards:

• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in Medical Sciences (1996)
• KP Bhargava Medal from the Indian National Science Academy
• Om Prakash Bhasin Award for Science & Technology (2001)
• J.C. Bose Fellowship (2006)
• S.S. Bhatnagar Award from the Indian National Science Academy (2016)
• Padma Shri Award (2010)