Professor B. A. Chopade has been working as Director of Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (IBB) University of Pune since 2006. He has established and developed IBB as a unique national institute and as a centre of excellence in teaching and research in biotechnology in India. He has successfully established an innovative benchmark of publications in peer reviewed journals of repute by undergraduate students at IBB. He was Head of the Department of Microbiology, University of Pune from 1994, 1996-2000 and 2003-2006. He has 31 years of experience both in research and teaching at the University of Pune.
Professor Chopade has several scholastic honors and professional distinctions to his credits. He was the Government of India Scholar at the University of Nottingham, England and obtained a Ph.D. degree in microbiology and molecular genetics (1983-1986). He was also the recipient of the most prestigious Fogarty International NIH Research Fellowship Award from Govt. of USA for Post Doctoral Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago (1994-1996) on genetic engineering of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence genes. He has had very distinguished academic career. He has had carved his career entirely on the basis of academic excellence and merit.
He has published more than 80 research papers in international and national peer reviewed journals of repute. He has obtained 2 USA patents on Acinetobacter as a novel plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from wheat and bioemulsifier production by Acinetobacter from healthy human skin. He has presented more than 115 papers in international and national conferences and has given large number of plenary lectures. His research work has been widely cited by researchers including Nobel Laureate Professor Arthur Kornberg from USA. His work also has been cited in 3 textbooks of microbiology published from USA and Europe. He has guided 22 Ph.D, 4 M.Phil and 11 M.Tech scholars for their research and currently 7 Ph. D and 5 M.Tech students are working. His 3 students had obtained Young Scientist Awards in 1993 at Stockholm, from International Congress of Chemotherapy. His research area includes microbial and molecular genetics and biotechnology. He is on editorial board of number of Wealth of India publication series as well as research journals. He has obtained research grants and funding of more than ` 5 crores from national and international funding agencies. He has successfully completed 22 major research projects. He has developed a new herbal medicine “Infex” which is very effective against respiratory infections and is manufactured by Shrushti Herbal Pharma Ltd. Bangalore. He is a pioneer in the area of Industry-Academia interaction and entrepreneurship in biotechnology and microbiology at IBB, University of Pune.
He was a visiting scientist at the Pasteur Institute, Paris, France and King’s College, University of London in 1990. He has received number of awards and most notable are: Pradnyavant Award (2011) by Undalkar foundation, Karad. Best teacher award by Pune Municipal Corporation (1993); Best research paper awards in microbial and molecular genetics (1988 & 2002) by Association of Microbiologist of India; Best research paper award in Haematology (2005) by International Conference of Haematology; He was recipient of Wadia Oration Award (2008) by Institution of Engineers, India. Best Research Paper Award in Bioinformatics (2009) by SBC, India. Summer Fellowship of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (2001). His biography is published by American Biographical Institute, USA (2000) and International Biographical Centre Cambridge (1991). He is member of American Society for Microbiology (ASM) USA and Society for General Microbiology, England. He is also a life member of number of national organizations like Association of Microbiologist of India (AMI) and Biotechnology Society of India (BSI).
He has been working on various statutory authorities of University of Pune. He was Chairman of Board of Studies in Microbiology from 1997-2000 & 2005-2007. He was member of Academic Council (1997-2000 & 2000-2005) and Board of College and University Development (BCUD) of University of Pune from 1997-2000 & 2000-2005. Member, faculty of Science, University of Pune (1997-2000, 2003-2005) and Member, Board of Teaching and Research (BUTR), (1997-2002). He was member of number of committees of UGC, New Delhi such as 11th Plan Research Committee, Research Projects and Deemed University Status since 2008 and UGC Nominee on Advisory Committee of DRS-1 UGC-SAP (2011-2015). He was Chairman of State Eligibility Test (SET) in Microbiology for Govt of Maharashtra and Goa for 3 years (1997-2000). He has active involvement in the national and international scientific organizations. He has been involved in University administration in the various capacities for more than 17 years, as a chairman and member of large number of committiees of University of Pune. He has a unique combination of academics and administration of University system.
Professor Chopade envisages the University of Pune as a modern research University in which synergy between research and teaching will be fostered which will result into development of innovative minds of University students and meet the challenges of the 21st century in developing Pune University as a knowledge University and subsequently one of the best University in India as well as in the world
