M. R. S. Rao, Engineer, Academic
Engineer, Academic

M. R. S. Rao

Born 21 January 1948 · verify — Died 13 August 2023

Led Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research as president from 2003 to 2013.

Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao was an Indian scientist. He was awarded the fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, for Science and Engineering in 2010. From 2003 to 2013 he was president of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bangalore, India.

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A detail that
surprised us

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M. R. S. Rao was among the earliest Indian scientists to establish a dedicated chromatin biology laboratory, a field scarcely studied in India before the 1980s.

The Story

1
In 1973, M. R. S. Rao earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, under Govindarajan Padmanabhan, marking the start of his deep dive into molecular biology.
2
🌍 Between 1974 and 1976, Rao expanded his expertise as an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, engaging in postdoctoral research that shaped his future scientific pursuits.
3Back at IISc in 1978, he began pioneering chromatin biology in India, a field barely explored nationally at the time, mentoring a new generation of researchers.
4From 1990 to 1993, Rao chaired IISc’s Centre for Genetic Engineering, steering research during a crucial phase of genetic studies in India.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2010
Padma Shri and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

From 1974 to 1976, Rao conducted postdoctoral research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, a rare opportunity for Indian scientists at the time to engage in advanced molecular biology abroad.

🖼️

Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
M. R. S. Rao with Dr. Manmohan Singh and Prof. C. N. R. Rao at JNCASR inauguration in Bangalore (2008)
M. R. S. Rao with Dr. Manmohan Singh and Prof. C. N. R. Rao at JNCASR inauguration in Bangalore (2008)
2008
M. R. S. Rao at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in Bangalore (2010)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth of M. R. S. Rao
Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao was born on 21 January 1948.
1948
📚
Education
Ph.D. from IISc Bangalore
Rao obtained his Ph.D. in biochemistry under Govindarajan Padmanabhan at IISc Bangalore.
1973
⚡
Career
Postdoctoral Research at Baylor College
Rao performed postdoctoral research and served as assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
1974
⚡
Career
Joined IISc Biochemistry Faculty
Returned to India and joined IISc’s Department of Biochemistry as assistant professor.
1978
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Career
President of JNCASR
Appointed president and chair of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore.
2003
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Shri
Received Padma Shri in Science and Engineering from Government of India.
2010
🕊️
Death
Death of M. R. S. Rao
Passed away at the age of 75 on 13 August 2023.
2023
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Rao’s laboratory was the first in India to focus explicitly on chromatin biology, initiating this field’s study in the country during the 1980s.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

During his presidency at JNCASR (2003-2013), Rao helped transform the center into a hub for interdisciplinary biological sciences, particularly in chromatin and molecular biology.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He served as chairman of the Board of Governors of IISER Thiruvananthapuram and was involved in key selection committees for CSIR directors, influencing Indian scientific governance.

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🌱 What changed because of them

M. R. S. Rao laid the scientific groundwork for chromatin biology research in India, directly influencing molecular genetics research at IISc and JNCASR. His leadership roles helped shape premier institutions like IISERs and CSIR, fostering policies and academic environments that continue to nurture cutting-edge biological research. Rao’s mentorship created a lineage of researchers advancing chromatin and genetic studies in India.

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