Dr. George Thottapilly is known as the Father of Biotechnology in the African Nation of Nigeria. After completing his Bachelor’s degree from Kerala in Agricultural Science, he pursued his higher studies in foreign Universities which included his Ph.D degree from the University of Giessan. Most of his years were spent in the African Nation of Nigeria where he was appointed as the Senior Virologist at the International Institute of Tropical and Agricultural Research, Ibadan, Nigeria. Dr. George was a visiting Scientist at various prestigious international universities. Dr. George had targeted the issues related to crops and farmers and he was able to contribute significantly towards the achievement of his goal too. For his contributions to the development of African agriculture through the application of biotechnology, Dr. Thottappilly was honored with the Traditional chieftaincy title: The King of Ikireland, His Royal Majesty Oba Olatunde Falabi Orisatola Ill, the Akire of Ikireland installed Dr. G. Thottappilly as the Jagun Agbe (Warrior of the farmers) of Ikireland which had a farming community of 5,00,000 farmers.
Dr. George had been associated with the Third World Academy of sciences for a very long period. During his tenure as a scientist, Dr. George Thottapilly was elected fellow and a member of various scientific societies and committees. He has over 140 publications and authored over 30 chapters in various books to his credit. He has guided more than 100 students from different countries for postgraduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral work, who presently hold key positions in several national and international bodies. He has held key positions in reputed firms and Institutes in our country. From Oct. 1999 – Aug. 2004, Dr. Thottapilly served as the Executive Director of MAHYCO Research Foundation, Hyderabad which is presently known as Barwale Foundation. He was at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology for a brief period.
Sahrdaya was fortunate to have this eminent personality amidst us since 2007 when he took charge as the Dean of studies of the Biotechnology Engineering Dept. For Sahrdayans and for the Biotechnology Engineering Dept he was more a mentor, a visionary who always wanted to see the institute soaring heights in the academic arena. The Herbal garden that adorns the campus of Sahrdaya which was materialized through the advice and help of Dr. George Thottapilly and the National Medicinal Plant Board will be a living memorial of this great scientist and visionary.
To memorialize the lifelong passion of the late Dr. George Thottappilly, the international veteran Biotechnology, Professor and former University Dean and Academic Council Member whose last stint of service this institution is fortunate to be proud of, a memorial lecture is jointly organized by Dr. George Thottappilly Foundation, Sahrdaya College of Engineering and Technology, BRSI, and Department of Biotechnology on 18 Oct 2023. The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Jagadeesh Bayry, Professor, IIT Palakkad on the topic ‘An Insight on Immunotherapy’.
