Friday, Dec 4, 2020: 6:10-7:15 PM

Prof Ignacimuthu, former V-C of Coimbatore and Madras is ranked among the top 1% of the best scientists in the world!

Read his interview to AUC: Asian Journal of Religious Studies.

Read the Congratulatory Letter from Superior General of the Society of Jesus.

Rev. Fr Dr S. Ignacimuthu, S.J.: Biodata

Rev. Fr Dr S. Ignacimuthu, S.J. is a Jesuit priest belonging to an international religious congregation, Society of Jesus. He was born on 9^th September 1948 in Sindalacherry, Theni district. He did his initial schooling in the village. He studied in St. Mary’s Madurai and St. Joseph’s College, Trichy for high school and Pre-Degree. He studied his B.Sc. Botany at Loyola College, Chennai in 1969-1972 and secured Distinction and University Second Rank. He completed his M.Sc. Botany at St. Joseph’s College, Trichy from 1976-1978 securing University First Rank and Gold Medal. He completed his M.Phil in 1982 and Ph.D. in 1985 in the field of Genetics from the University of Delhi with outstanding merit and his D.Sc. in the field of Plant Biotechnology from the University of Madras in 2001. He is one of the very few scientists to acquire this degree.

He began his teaching career in 1980 at St. Joseph’s College, Trichy and continued to be there till 1992 serving also as director of hostels and Vice-Principal. In 1992 he was Principal of St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai. In 1993 he was Assistant Director of Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai. In 1996, he became the Director, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai. In 1997 he became the Principal of Loyola College, Chennai. In October 2000 he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. In June 2002, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of University of Madras, Chennai. He was the Director of Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai for nearly 20 years and presently he is the Director of Xavier Research Foundation, St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai.

As Principal and Vice-Chancellor he made a mark in administration and academic reforms like introducing teacher evaluation by students, establishing poor students’ scholarships, introducing choice based credit system, introducing Semester System with credits, compulsory social service scheme and transparency system of handing over the photocopy of all the answer sheets to the students.

Apart from being an able and good administrator, he is known all over the world as a good scientist. He has published more than 800 research papers and 80 books. His articles have been cited more than 23,000 times by other scientists. Due to his great contribution to research and publications Loyola was ranked 2^nd best college in the country with a score of 100 out of 100 for research and publications by MHRD, New Delhi. Some of his books on Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Bioethics and Environment are used as text books in Universities and Colleges. His books ‘Basic Good manners’, ‘Values for Life’, ‘Being Happy and Successful’, ‘Skills and Qualities for Effective Life’, ‘Shining in Life’ and ‘Tips to Study Well’ (English and Tamil) are used as text books for value education and personality development in many universities and colleges.

His Tamil book on environmental awareness got the best book award from Tamil Nadu Government in 1995. He was awarded Tamil Nadu Scientist for Life Sciences (2000) by Tamil Nadu Government. He was also given Kamarajar Award for research on Environmental Management by Government of Tamil Nadu in 2009. The Royal Entomological Society, London awarded FRES (Fellow of Royal Entomological Society) for his outstanding contribution in Entomology. He is also a fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. He is Emeritus Scientist of UGC, CSIR and ICMR, New Delhi

He has carried out already more than 40 major research projects funded by government agencies. He has helped more than100 students to get their doctoral degrees. He has many patents. PONNEEM an ecofriendly biopesticide was developed by him. One insect species is named after him: Jacthrips ignacimuthui. One natural molecule is named after him: Ignaciomycin. .He developed Xavier Herbal Hand Sanitizer to fight against pathogens including Covid-19. He has also visited many countries such as USA, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Saudi Arabia as visiting scientist. American Biographical Institute, USA and international Biographical centre, England have identified him as one of the good scientists in the world.

He is identified as one of the top 1% scientists in the world in the field of Biology based on citations of his publications by Professors of Stanford University, USA in their publication dated 16-10-2020 in PLOS BIOLOGY.