DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

 

Maharaja’s College Chemistry Alumni (MCCA)

 

Maharaja’s College Chemistry Alumni is a registered Alumni of the Department of Chemistry and had started functioning in the year 2006. Alumni conducts General body every year and supports many events in the Chemistry department

Reg. No.                  : ER 448/11

Jurisdiction                     : State of Kerala

Date of registration         : 2nd July 2011

 

Many of our alumni do valuable contributions to the department, as collaborators, mentors and donors. If you would like to be a part of the MCCA or to contribute, please contact the department or the College Office.

List of Office bearers

Ex officio President: HOD; Sri. K. P. Ashokan -9446364430

 

Vice President

Dr. Ajitha P. S.-9746973245

Dr. T. Narayanan-9387837783

Dr. P. Unnikrishnan-9447769916

 

Secretary

Dr. Neena George-9895310103

 

Joint Secretary

Dr. Suja N. R.-8547118725

Dr. P. V.Joseph- 9447775489

 

Treasurer

Dr. Bindu Sharmila T.K- 9446892578

 

 

Executive members

Dr. Rejimon P. K.-9995090128

Dr. Santha Mathai-8547969025

Dr. Ravi Divakaran

Dr. Sujith Kumar M. C.-9745606129

Dr. Lucy Joseph-9497791841

Ms. Ashna Poly -9746372826

Dr. Susamma A. P-9495936092

Prof M. G. Rajagopalan-9447579410

Prof. Geetha Bali- 9447508968

Dr. Laly K.-9447326906

Dr. Kochubaby Manjooran-9447576497

Dr Lisiu Xavier- 9544124066

 

A selection of our prestigious alumni, discussing their careers and achievements

 

 

1. Dr. Mary Verghese (Alumni 1942-45 BSc. Chemistry)

 

 

Wheelchair surgeon and pioneer of physical medicine and rehabilitation in India

 

The history of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) in India is intertwined with the personal story of Dr. Mary Verghese. The tragedy of a road traffic accident that rendered her paraplegic inspired her to establish a department of PM&R in Vellore and a Rehabilitation Institute, the first of its kind in the country. The Rehabilitation Institute which she pioneered is today one of the premier institutes for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities and stands as a testimony to the transforming power of her faith and resilience.

 

 

2. Dr. K. N. Ninan (Kovoor Ninan Ninan ) (Alumni 1966-68 MSc. Chemistry)

 

Former Outstanding Scientist, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre & Emeritus Professor, Indian Institute of Space science & Technology, Trivandrum

 

 

He was born in 1946. BSc – Chem (University First Rank, 1966) from Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla; MSc - Chem (University First Rank, 1968) from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulum & PhD (1981) from University of Kerala. He had a tenure of 40 years at VSSC starting from 1968 in different capacities as: Propellant Engineer, the first Head of Analytical & Spectroscopy Division, Group Director, Propellant & Special Chemicals Group and Dy. Director, VSSC. He established a state-of-the-art analytical facility at VSSC and applied it for advancement of India’s space programs. Made significant contributions for the development of rocket propellants, polymers and chemicals for various ISRO missions. Initiated R & D programs to meet the future needs of ISRO in these areas. He was Emeritus Professor at IIST for 5 years, nurtured IIST in its formative years and mentored students to realize VYOM, the first student sounding rocket in India. Authored 196 publications in international journals and 28 patents, including one European & US patent. Guided 28 PhD research scholars & several MTech students. He has been Ranked among world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University, USA (2020). Recipient of Performance Excellence Award of ISRO (2009), received from President of India, Life Time Achievement Awards of (i) Indian Society of Analytical Scientists (2019) & (ii) High Energy Materials Society of India (2013), Attumalil Merit Award of Mar Thoma Church (2012) & Netzsch – ITAS Award of Indian Thermal Analysis Society (1987). Past President of: (i) Kerala Academy of Sciences (1998 – 2000)  (ii) Society for Polymer Science India (2000 – ‘01)  & (iii) High Energy Materials Society of India(2004 – ’06) TVM Chapters

 

3. Dr. V. P. Gangadharan (Alumni 1971-74 BSc. Chemistry)

 

 

 

Well known and one of the best oncologists in Kerala

 

 

(Born 1954) is an Indian oncologist, known for his support to poor and needy cancer patients by providing them with subsidised medicines and free counselling through Cochin Cancer Society.

Dr. V.P. Gangadharan is a well-Qualified Medical and Pediatric Oncologist with 31+ years of experience. He specializes in operating and treating Breast and Gynecological malignancies. He has attained training certification in Bone Marrow Transplantation Programme in the USA and UK with NCI and WHO fellowships. He has been a part of universities in graduate and postgraduate training programs and examiner of DM Medical Oncology at various universities across India. He has been urge as a ‘Guest Speaker’ to over sixty seminars and scientific meetings. He has a main role in establishing the Cochin Cancer Society to extend cancer care to the needy and underprivileged cancer patients. Dr. V.P. Gangadharan has over forty publications in national and international Medical and Oncology journals.

 

Dr. V.P. Gangadharan has also engaged-in as a Principal Investigator in thirty-eight national and international multi center clinical trials.

 

4. Dr. Kochu Baby Manjooran (Alumni 1980-82 M.Sc Pure Chemistry)

Senior Manager (Rtd),

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited

 

Qualification: M.Sc,LL.B, M.S, PhD

Senior Manager (Rtd), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited

Authored 10 books in the field of chemistry, Petroleum and sustainable Engineering.

Member Board of Studies Maharajas College, SH College, St.Alberts College, MA College and Rajagiri School of Science & Technology. Technical Assessor NABL, Lead Auditor ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001.

 

 

 

5. Dr. Benny Antony (Alumni 1985-87 MSc. Chemistry: Oils, fats and aromatics)

 

Co- founder and Joint Managing Director of Arjuna Natural Private Limited, Aluva

Dr. Benny Antony is the co- founder and Joint Managing Director of Arjuna Natural Private Limited, Aluva, a global manufacturer and exporter of Standardized Herbal and Spice Extracts with a branch office at Dallas, US. Dr. Benny completed his post-graduation in M.Sc. Applied Chemistry (oils, fats and aromatics) from Maharajas College during 1985-87, and acquired his Ph.D from Mahatma Gandhi University in applied chemistry. He heads the Research and Development section at Arjuna and has developed more than 100 nutraceutical products and exported to over 60 countries worldwide. He developed the purified Omega-3 concentrate for the first time in India. His brainchild, BCM-95® has been applauded worldwide and is today considered as the popular bio-available curcumin brand in the international market with 54 internationally granted patents. Dr.Benny is the winner of National Intellectual Property Award 2019 from Government of India, in the category Top Individual in India for Patents & Commercialization along with the WIPO medal for Inventors from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). He has been credited with 96 granted patents worldwide, 50 ongoing applications and several awards of recognition in his field of research. He was awarded the best innovator for the year 2010-11 by Spices Board, Govt. of India.

 

6. Dr. P. Unnikrishnan (Alumni 1988-90 MSc. Chemistry)

 

General Manager Quality Assurance in Sud- Chemie India (P) Ltd.

 

Word of Special thanks to Dr. P. Unnikrishnan for his key role in releasing the CSR fund of Sud- Chemie India (P) Ltd, towards the modernisation of MSc. Chemistry Laboratory during the year 2019-20

 

He secured M.Sc. in pure Chemistry during 1988-90. Did Ph. D in Chemical Oceanography from Cochin University of Science and Technology. Currently working as General Manager Quality Assurance in Sud- Chemie India (P) Ltd, which is a multinational Catalyst Manufacturing Industry. Has more than 30 years of Industrial experience in various functions like process plant operations, quality control/quality assurance, R&D, system management, auditing etc. and is also the vice President of Chemistry Alumni

 

 

7. Prof. Subi Jacob George (Alumni 1994-97 BSc. Chemistry)   Chair, New Chemistry Unit, JNCASR, Bengaluru   Recipient of 2020 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in Chemical Sciences

Prof. Subi George is currently leading a supramoelcular chemistry group at the  New Chemistry Unit of JNCASR, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, India . He has obtained his PhD degree at the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, India in 2004 in the group of Prof A. Ajayaghosh. During 2005-2008, he has been a post-doctoral fellow at the Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands with Prof. Dr E. W. (Bert) Meijer. He is the reciepent of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology in Chemical Sceinces Category for the year 2020. He is also the receipent of Swaranjayanti Fellowship from Department of Science and Technology of Government of India (2017), Asian Photochemistry Association (APA) Young Scientist award (2015), NASI-SCOPUS Young Scientist Award in Chemistry (2015), Chemical Research Society of India Bronze Medal (2015) and Materials Research Society of India Medal (2013). In 2019, he has been elected as the Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences. He was also the Young Associate of the Indian Academy of Sceicnes (2011). He is the member of Editorial Advisory Boards of Chemistry of Materials (ACS), Meterial Horizons (RSC) and Chem (Cell). He is also in the Editorial board of ChemNanoMat (Wiley) His current research interests focus on Functional Supramolecular Polymers, Living and Non-equilibrium supramolecular polymerization, Supramolecular Chirality and organic opto-electronic materials. He has published more 130 research publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals and has an H-index of 52.

 

 

Alumni activities

 

•  Awards and Endowments by the Maharaja’s College Chemistry Alumni (MCCA) given during the annual meet

 

 

1. Prof. N. P. George memorial endowment sponsored by Sri.Tej Paul George in loving memory of his father Prof.N.P George Scholarship

To the top scorers in II M.Sc Chemistry –all branches

(Based on the performance in the previous three semesters)

2. Academic Excellence award Sponsored by Dr. T Narayanan

To the top scorers in II M.Sc Chemistry –all branches

(Based on the performance in the previous three semesters)

3. Smt. Pankajakshiamma memorial Endowment sponsored by Prof. Raman Menon in loving memory of his mother late Smt Pankajakshiamma

To the top scorer in M.Sc Chemistry passed out batch

(Among the four branches)

4. Dr. Ashrof memorial Endowment sponsored by Dr. K U Abdul Salam Tin loving memory of his Ph.D Supervising Guide,late Dr.Ashrof

To the top scorer in I & II M.Sc Pharmaceutical chemistry

(Based on the performance in the previous semesters)

5. T.O Koshy memorial Endowment for sponsored by Dr.Lissamma Koshy in loving memory of her father Sri.T.O Koshy

1. II Msc.Topper in Organic Chemistry based on the first two semesters 

2. Topper in B.Sc Chemistry Model 1 Passed out

3. Topper in B.Sc Chemistry Model III Passed out

 

6. Academic excellence award sponsored by Dr. Sobhana Mathew 

Topper in M.Sc Analytical Chemistry Passed out

 

7. Jose John Malayil memorial Endowment sponsored by Dr. A.P Susamma in loving memory of her husband late Sri Jose John Malayil

1. Topper in III B.Sc Chemistry Model 1

2. Topper in III B.Sc Chemistry Model III

 

8. P.K Gopalan memorial Endowment sponsored by Dr.Meera Gopal in loving memory of her father late Sri.P.K.Gopalan

. II Msc. Topper in Theoretical Chemistry based on the first two semesters 

 

9. K.C Raman memorial Endowment sponsored by Dr. Vidya Raman in loving memory of her father late Prof K.C Raman

Topper in II M.Sc Applied Chemistry (S1,S2,S3)

10. Sairandhry memorial Endowment sponsored   by Dr.Maya K.S in loving memory of her mother late Smt k.Sairandhry

 

III B.Sc Chemistry student who scored highest mark for Malayalam

 

11. Abhimanyu. memorial Award sponsored by Dr.P.Ananthapadmanabhan in loving memory of our student  late Mr.Abhimanyu

To the III B.Sc Chemistry student (SC/ST) topper in Chemistry (among Model I & III)

 

12. Abhimanyu. memorial Award sponsored by Dr. P. V. Joseph in loving memory of our student  late Mr.Abhimanyu

To the II B.Sc Chemistry student (SC/ST) topper in Chemistry (among Model I & III)

 

13. Dr.Mary Varghese memorial endowment sponsored by Dr.Lisue Xavier

For differentially abled student

 

 

II. Donation received from Industry and alumni towards the renovation of MSc. Inorganic and Organic Chemistry Laboratory

 

Sud-Chemie India Pvt. Ltd. Edayar, Kerala has contributed an amount of Rs. 500000 (Rupees Five lakhs only) from their CSR fund towards the renovation of MSc. Inorganic and Organic Chemistry Laboratory. The person who deserves sincere appreciation in this regard is Dr. P. Unnikrishanan, Chief Manager, Quality Assurance Dept., Sud-Chemie, who is an alumnus (MSc. Chemistry 1988-1990) of the department.

Dr. V. R. Parameswaran, an aluminus of the Chemistry department (BSc. Chemistry in 1950) who is settled in Canada also contributed an amount of Rs. 35001 (Rupees Thirty five thousand and one only) towards the MSc. Inorganic and Organic Chemistry Laboratory renovation (Carpentry works).

II. Other Major contributions

 

• MCCA members donated books worth Rs.20000/- to the Chemistry Library (2014-15)
• Sponsored National Seminar “Applications of Spectroscopic methods in Chemistry (2014)”
• MCCA initiated Dr. Mary Varghese memorial endowment for differentially abled Chemistry student in the year 2017 to commemorate Dr. Mary Varghese, Prestigious Maharaja’s alumnus and famous Gynecologist (Wheelchair surgeon and pioneer of physical medicine and rehabilitation in India)
• ‘Guruvanadam’-Honouring the most senior retired teachers of the department.
• Started Abhimanyu. memorial Award in loving memory of our student late Mr. Abhimanyu to the III B.Sc Chemistry student (SC/ST) topper in Chemistry (among Model I & III) in the year 2018-19
• Organized career guidance class (17th Dec 2018)
• Funded IYPT 2019 Science Exhibition (Mendelevium) on 6th December 2019
• In connection with final round Luca Science Quiz by Sastra Sahitya Parishat held on 7th December 2019 at Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam; three prizes under the College and higher secondary category (worth Rs. 6000/- each) were sponsored by the MCCA
• Prizes for the competitions in connection with Science day celebration 2019 on 28th February 2020 were sponsored by MCCA members
• MCCA donated Sanitizers and Masks for the staff and students of the Chemistry Department on the outbreak of Covid-19
• Financial assistance was provided by the MCCA members during the Covid Pandemic period for students which was utilised for the purchase of 3 smart phones and financial support for the UG and PG students of the Department of Chemistry.