Professor Arjun Appadurai is a distinguished
social-cultural anthropologist and a world-renowned authority on the cultural
dynamics of globalization. He has held the prestigious roles of Provost and
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at The New School in New York City.
Throughout his career, Dr. Appadurai has occupied professorial and visiting
appointments at leading academic institutions across the United States and
Europe, cementing his influence in the field. His scholarly impact extends
globally, having served on numerous advisory and scholarly bodies in the United
States, Latin America, Europe, and India. Dr. Appadurai’s extensive body of
work, which includes numerous influential books and articles, has earned him
recognition as a leading figure in contemporary anthropology. His latest
publication, Failure (Polity, 2019), co-authored with Neta Alexander, reflects
his continued engagement with critical issues in the modern world. A testament
to his scholarly contributions, Dr. Appadurai is a respected Member of the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, further underscoring his impact on the
field of anthropology.
Professor
P. Venkata Rao is a Senior Professor of Anthropology at the University of
Hyderabad, where he has been teaching since 1985. He earned his M.A. (1976) and
Ph.D. (1983) in Anthropology from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, and was
selected for the Central Government Civil Services in 1984. Dr. Rao has held
numerous leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Anthropology
(2003-2004, 2005-2008), Coordinator of the UGC Special Assistance Programme
(2012-2016), and Dean of the School of Social Sciences (2016-2019). He
currently serves as the editor of The Eastern Anthropologist. His
research interests include the Anthropology of Development, Economic
Anthropology, Complex Societies, Ageing, and tribal communities. A recipient of
the University Grants Commission’s Research Award (1999-2002), Dr. Rao has
authored six books and published around seventy research papers. He has
supervised fifteen Ph.D. and twenty-nine M.Phil students. Dr. Rao has
contributed to numerous academic bodies and expert committees and has served as
a consultant for organizations like UGC, ICSSR, ISRO, and USAID.
Professor K. K. Mishra, former Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar, has had a distinguished career in academia and leadership. He served as a Professor of Anthropology and Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the Central University of Hyderabad. His academic achievements include prestigious international recognitions such as a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship in the UK, a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence tenure in the USA, and a role as a Research Associate at the University of Bergen, Norway. In recognition of his significant contributions to anthropology, Prof. Mishra was awarded the Sarat Chandra Roy Memorial Medal by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata. He has held numerous high-profile positions, including Director of the National Museum of Mankind in Bhopal and Director of the Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata. Additionally, Prof. Mishra served on the High-Level Committee preparing a status report on the Scheduled Tribes of India. His expertise in anthropology and culture led to multiple representations of the Government of India at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.
Professor
Nawal Kishore Ambasht (b. July 19, 1941) is a leading
figure in educational anthropology and a distinguished scholar in his field. He
earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1966, focusing on tribal education, and
holds an M.A. in Sociology (1962) with additional certifications from EWC
Hawaii (1977) and Manchester (1979). Professor Ambasht began his career as a
Lecturer in Adult Education at NCERT in 1966, advancing to Reader and then
Professor and Head of various departments, including Educational Research and
Innovation, Special Needs Education, and Non-Formal and Alternative Schooling.
His international expertise includes serving as Head of Extension Services at
the University of Sokoto, Nigeria. He has also held prominent positions such as
Chairman of the National Institute of Open Schooling and Pro Vice Chancellor at
IASE University. A prominent educational anthropologist, he has influenced
national and international education policy through his roles with the Planning
Commission, MHRD, UNESCO, and other organizations. His work has been honored
with awards including the Bal Mitra Award (1999) and the Nehru Literacy Award
(2001).
Professor
A. Papa Rao, the former Chairperson of the Department of Anthropology at Sri
Venkateshwara University, has had an illustrious career in academia. He
completed his Master’s and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Sri Venkateshwara
University, Tirupati, where he began his career as a Lecturer in Physical
Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology, eventually rising to the rank of
Professor. With over three decades of teaching experience, Professor Paparao
has held several key administrative roles, including Chairman of the Board of
Studies, Coordinator of UGC SAP, Principal of SV University College of
Sciences, Convenor of AP Law Centre, and Officer on Special Duty to the
Vice-Chancellor. His exceptional career has garnered numerous awards and
international recognitions, such as the Andhra Pradesh Meritorious Teacher
Award, the Dr. Panchanan Mitra Lectureship Award from the Asiatic Society,
Kolkata, and the UGC Emeritus Fellowship. Recently, he was appointed for a
five-year term to the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) by the
Ministry of Culture, Government of India. A prolific scholar, he has published
extensively in national and international journals and has undertaken academic
assignments in Canada, the UK, the USA, the UAE, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Professor
Vijoy S. Sahay, a distinguished figure in the field of anthropology, is the
former Head of the Department of Anthropology at Allahabad University. He holds
a B.A. (Honours), M.A., and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Ranchi University, where
he completed his doctoral research on the Nicobar Archipelago. Renowned for his
expertise in anthropological theories and fieldwork among India’s most
vulnerable tribal groups, Professor Sahay has made significant contributions to
the discipline. As the Editor-in-Chief of The Oriental Anthropologist,
an internationally acclaimed research journal published biannually by SAGE
Publications, he has fostered critical discourse in the field. His latest
publication, Experiencing Anthropology in the Nicobar Archipelago, was
published by Routledge, and his forthcoming book, Anthropological Thought:
From Evolutionism to Postmodernism and After, promises to further enrich
the academic community. Professor Sahay has also served on two key committees
established by the Government of India, dedicated to the protection and
preservation of the endangered tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Professor Subhadra Mitra Channa, a distinguished scholar in
anthropology, served as a professor at the University of Delhi until her
retirement on October 31, 2016. With an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Anthropology, her
research encompasses marginalization, gender, caste, border communities, and
the interplay between religion, cosmology, and environment, including urban
landscapes. Professor Channa’s illustrious career includes prestigious
fellowships and visiting professorships: a Charles Wallace Fellowship at Queen’s
University (2000), a visiting professorship at MSH, Paris (2002), a Fulbright
Visiting Lecturer in the USA (2003), and a visiting professorship at USC, USA
(2008-09). She has authored or edited eight books and over fifty scholarly
papers. She has held significant roles in academic organizations, including
serving as President of the Indian Anthropological Association and Chair of the
Commission on the Anthropology of Women (IUAES). Currently, she is the Chair of
the Commission on Marginalization and Global Apartheid (IUAES) and an elected
Senior Vice President of IUAES. Her recent publications include Gender in
South Asia (Cambridge University Press) and The Inner and
Outer Selves (Oxford University Press).
Dr. Lorena
Madrigal is a distinguished Professor of Biological Anthropology with a deep
expertise in human microevolution, population genetics, and biocultural
anthropology. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Kansas,
an M.A. from the University of Cincinnati, and a B.S. from the University of
Utah. Dr. Madrigal has served in key leadership roles, including as President
of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) from 2011 to
2013 and as the Biological Anthropology seat on the Executive Board of the
American Anthropological Association (AAA) from 2014 to 2017. Her research
focuses on the genetic and demographic dynamics of human populations, with a
particular emphasis on Costa Rica. Collaborating with colleagues from the
Universidad de Costa Rica, she has traced maternal genealogies over centuries,
critically evaluating the grandmother hypothesis. She has also studied the
evolutionary history and cardiovascular health of African and East
Indian-descended communities in Costa Rica. Dr. Madrigal teaches courses on
Biological Anthropology, Human Variation, and Anthropological Genetics, among
others, combining rigorous quantitative methods with a biocultural perspective
to explore human evolutionary processes.
Dr. Kari North is
a distinguished professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global
Public Health and Associate Dean for Research. She holds joint appointments in
the Department of Epidemiology and the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences. Dr.
North earned her Ph.D. with honors in Anthropological Genetics from the
University of Kansas (1995–2000), providing her with a strong foundation in
anthropology, particularly in human population genetics. With a strong
multidisciplinary background, she specializes in the genetic epidemiology of
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated risk factors. As the leader of the
UNC Department of Epidemiology’s CVD Genetic Epidemiology Computational
Laboratory, she directs a collaborative team of faculty, pre- and post-doctoral
fellows, and staff spanning multiple UNC departments. Her research integrates
family- and population-based genetic epidemiological methods to uncover the
genetic and environmental determinants of cardiovascular health. Nationally,
Dr. North serves as a permanent member of the CASE-EPIC Panel A study section,
holds editorial board positions for leading journals, and has been elected to
leadership roles in The Obesity Society and the American Heart Association
Epidemiology Council. At UNC, she actively contributes to interdisciplinary
research initiatives, fostering collaboration across genetics, epidemiology,
and public health to advance the understanding of cardiovascular disease and
improve population health.
Dr. Sunita Reddy is an Associate
Professor at the Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, School of
Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). With a Ph.D. in
Anthropology, specializing in Medical Anthropology, her research interests
encompass Mother and Child Health, Medical Tourism, Reproductive Tourism,
Health and Environment, and Disaster Studies. Her career includes roles such as
Senior Evaluator for CARE India’s INHP project and Project Associate at NIPCCD.
She has also lectured at Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University, and IIT
Delhi, before joining JNU in 2004, where she has served as a Senior Lecturer
since 2008. Reddy’s accolades include UGC JRF/SRF awards, ICSSR and IDRC
grants, and international recognition for her research. She has chaired
sessions at global conferences, collaborated on major research networks, and
published influential papers on topics like Medical Tourism and disaster
management. Her upcoming book, Humanitarian Aid and The Asian Tsunami,
reflects her ongoing commitment to impactful research
Dr.
John Blangero is a Professor and Director of the Genomics Computing Center at
the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute (STDOI), part of the University
of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. With a Ph.D. in Population
Genetics and an M.A. in Biological Anthropology from Case Western Reserve
University, Dr. Blangero is a leading figure in genetic research, focusing on
the genetic underpinnings of common diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disorders, and psychiatric conditions. His innovative research integrates
advanced statistical methods with bioinformatics, gene expression analysis, and
genomic imaging, significantly enhancing the speed and efficiency of gene
discovery. Dr. Blangero oversees the San Antonio Family Heart Study, a crucial
resource in exploring genetic factors influencing cardiovascular and brain
health. He has led the development of state-of-the-art molecular genetics
laboratories and the installation of an 11,000-processor high-performance
computing cluster, MEDUSA, to advance genetic research. Supported by
substantial multi-million dollar grants from the National Institutes of Health,
Dr. Blangero’s work is paving the way for breakthroughs in diagnostics and
treatments to improve human health.
Dr. Lawrence J. Mandarino, PhD, is
a distinguished Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology,
and Director of the UAHS Center for Disparities in Diabetes, Obesity, and
Metabolism at the University of Arizona. Dr. Mandarino joined the UA in 2016
from Arizona State University, where he led the Center for Metabolic Biology
and the Mayo/ASU Center for Metabolic and Vascular Biology. His extensive
career includes over a decade at the University of Texas Health Science Center
at San Antonio and faculty roles at the University of Pittsburgh and the
University of California, San Diego. Dr. Mandarino’s academic journey began
with a research associate position in anthropology at Arizona State University,
which provided a foundational perspective on human biology that has informed
his subsequent research in endocrinology and metabolic disorders. He also held
roles in several other prestigious institutions, including Mayo Clinic and the
American Journal of Physiology. Dr. Mandarino is noted for his research on
diabetes and obesity, supported by numerous prestigious grants and editorial
roles in leading journals.
Dr. Mike O’Brien is the inaugural
Senior Vice President for Research and Health Science at Texas A&M
University and continues to serve as a distinguished Professor of Anthropology.
In his new role, Dr. O’Brien manages research initiatives and oversees the
A&M Health Science Center, which is dedicated to advancing education and
research in medical sciences, dentistry, medicine, nursing, public health, and
pharmacy. His appointment represents a pivotal step in merging research with
health sciences at Texas A&M, reflecting his commitment to fostering
interdisciplinary collaboration. With a distinguished background in archaeology
and anthropology, Dr. O’Brien brings a unique perspective to his role,
enhancing the integration of diverse research disciplines. As a leading figure
in anthropology, Dr. O’Brien is celebrated for his innovative research on
prehistoric human behaviors and cultural evolution. His influential
publications and groundbreaking methodologies have significantly advanced the
field. At Texas A&M, he has also been a driving force in developing
academic programs that promote scholarly excellence and interdisciplinary
engagement.
Prof. P. Vijaya Prakash is a distinguished
academic with a career spanning several decades in anthropology and higher
education. He joined the Department of Anthropology at Andhra University in
1979, where he became renowned for his expertise in archaeological anthropology.
Over his tenure, he made significant contributions to the field through both
teaching and research. Prof. Prakash also served as Registrar of Andhra
University and held the role of Vice-Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State
Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), a pioneering body established to
coordinate between the University Grants Commission (UGC), the State
Government, and universities. Currently, he continues to play a vital role as a
Member of APSCHE. His work has been instrumental in shaping educational
policies and fostering collaboration between educational institutions and
regulatory bodies. Prof. Prakash’s dedication to advancing knowledge in
anthropology and enhancing higher education reflects his longstanding
commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.
Professor S. Gregory, a prominent academic, was a founding
key leader of the Union of Indian Anthropologists Federation (UIAF). He served
as the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chairperson of the Department
of Anthropology at Kannur University. Professor Gregory completed his M.A. at
Poona University, M.Phil. at Madras University, and PhD at ISEC, Bangalore,
with IDS, Mysore University. Upon retirement, he held additional roles as
Director of the School of Distance Education and Director of HRDC at Kannur
University. His academic excellence was recognized through the Fulbright-Nehru
Visiting Lecturer Fellowship in 2011-12, leading to a tenure at the University
of Chicago. He also delivered lectures at various US universities, funded by
the IIE, CIES, Washington DC. An active organizer, Professor Gregory chaired
panels at the 17th World Congress of IUAES and the 10th INCAA Anthropology
Congress. With over 60 publications, including five books, his research
interests span Sustainable Development, Participatory Research, and
Decentralized Planning.
G. Narottam Reddy
is the President of Group Procurement and Corporate Development at Apollo
Hospitals Group, one of Asia’s largest and most renowned healthcare providers.
With over two decades of experience in the healthcare and corporate sectors,
Reddy has played a crucial role in driving Apollo Hospitals’ growth and
transformation into a global healthcare leader. In his role, Reddy oversees the
procurement strategies and corporate development activities of the Apollo
Hospitals Group. His focus is on optimizing the procurement process to ensure
cost-efficiency, quality, and timely availability of medical supplies, which
are vital for maintaining the high standards of healthcare that Apollo is known
for. Additionally, he leads strategic initiatives aimed at expanding the
group’s business footprint, forging key partnerships, and identifying new
growth opportunities in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Reddy’s
expertise lies in strategic sourcing, supply chain management, and corporate
development. His leadership has contributed significantly to Apollo’s
continuous innovation and its commitment to providing world-class healthcare
services. He has been instrumental in fostering collaboration across various
stakeholders, including medical professionals, suppliers, and business
partners, ensuring that Apollo Hospitals remains at the forefront of healthcare
excellence. Under his leadership, Apollo Hospitals has strengthened its
position as a leading healthcare provider, not just in India but also in the
international healthcare market. His ability to drive operational efficiency
while fostering growth has been key to Apollo’s success.
Dr. P. Sudhakara Reddy is a
distinguished anthropologist with over five decades of contributions to
research and teaching. Since earning his M.A. in Anthropology in 1974, his work
has focused on tribal populations, displacement and rehabilitation, educational
anthropology, and development planning. His Ph.D. research (1977–79) involved
extensive fieldwork among the displaced Yanadis of Sriharikota Island. He has
successfully led 20 major research projects funded by 13 prestigious agencies,
including the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of HRD,
Planning Commission, ISRO, NCERT, and UGC. His research spans 12 Indian states,
offering valuable insights into tribal communities and social development. As a
Professor, Dr. Reddy taught postgraduate students for over 30 years, training
them in fieldwork and research methodologies. He has guided numerous scholars,
with six Ph.D. and three M.Phil. degrees awarded under his supervision. He also
modernized the anthropology lab and revised the curriculum at SV University to
emphasize experiential learning. Even post-retirement, he remains active in
research, securing a UGC Emeritus Fellowship and leading studies on
biodiversity conservation at Pulicat Lake. He also serves as Hon. Secretary of
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Tirupati Kendra, and is an active member of the Rotary
Club of Tirupati.
Dr.
Pradip Kumar Bhowmick, served as Associate Professor at the Rural Development
Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, holds a Ph.D. in Tribal
Development. He continues the legacy of his late father, Prof. Prabodh Kumar
Bhowmick, a distinguished scholar in tribal development. Prof. Prabodh
Bhowmick, known for his dedication to the Lodhas and other tribal communities
in West Bengal, established Bidisa, an Ashram-cum-Research Institute. Dr.
Pradip Bhowmick has built upon this foundation, leading initiatives at Bidisa
that combine traditional knowledge with contemporary social research. He also
directs the Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology (ISRAA),
focusing on the socio-economic development of marginalized tribal groups. Dr.
Pradip Kumar Bhowmick oversees the publication of a biannual journal as part of
the activities of the Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology
(ISRAA). The journal, named Man and Life, focuses on social science and
anthropology, publishing research and findings related to tribal development
and cultural studies. This journal serves as a platform for disseminating
scholarly work and advancing knowledge in these fields, contributing to the
broader discourse on social issues and anthropological research.
Dr. S.M. Sirajuddin is an
accomplished applied anthropologist with extensive experience in research,
evaluation, and capacity building across various sectors. Holding a Ph.D. in
Anthropology, he has conducted significant research on the impact of legislative
measures on atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India.
As a Senior Research Fellow, he explored the prevalence and curtailment of
crimes against these communities, utilizing a range of research tools and
methods. His career includes roles as a Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant
for the Capacity Building for Results Project, where he developed data
management systems and monitored project performance. He served as a Planning
and Management Advisor for the Ministry of Education in Afghanistan, designing
training programs and implementation frameworks. Additionally, Dr. Sirajuddin
has worked as an International Adviser on Social Safety Nets for the World
Bank, focusing on pension administration and social safety net programs. His expertise
extends to advising on social protection strategies and capacity development
for the UNDP in Afghanistan. With a robust background in socio-economic
evaluation and international development, Dr. Sirajuddin has contributed to
numerous projects and evaluations, including those related to tribal
development and educational enhancements. His work is distinguished by a
commitment to improving social justice and development outcomes.