Kochupurackal Parameswaran Nayar Mohanakumar

Background

Mohanakumar, Kochupurackal Parameswaran Nayar Son of K.V. Parameswaran and Leela Devi Amma.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Kerala University, Sasthamcottah, 1976. Diploma in Medical Radiology, Aligarh Mushlim University, 1977. Master of Science in Neurochemistry, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, India, 1979.

Doctor of Philosophy in Neurochemistry, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, India, 1985.

Career

Scientist Indian Institute Chemical Biology, Kolkata, since 1984, assistant director, 1993—1998, senior assistant director, 1998—2000, deputy director, since 2000. Visiting scientist National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 1993—1994. Visiting neurology associate University Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, 2003.

Visiting scientist Armenian Academy of Sciences, Yeraavan, Armenia, 2004, 05. Faculty Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa, 2005, University Kandy, Sri Lanka, 2005.

Achievements

• Achievements include discovery of central serotoninergic receptors that are directly involved in tremor generation in neurological diseases. Development of direct involvement of hydroxyl radicals in dopaminergic neurodegeneration as seen in Parkinson's disease. Discovery of nirtic oxide are secondary to hydroxyl radical generation in Parkinson's disease that culminate in neurodegeneration.
  
  Discovery of mitochondrial complex-I is directly involved in neurodegeneration resulting in Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Discovery of mitochondrially coded protein subunits are changed in parkinsonian cybrids, which are directly correlated with the status of these subunits in postmortem brain of Parkinsonian patients. Discovery of new therapeutic molecule for Parkinson's disease.

Membership

Member Indian National Science Academy, 2004. Member scientific advisory council National Brain Research Center, Manesar, India, since 2004. Member research council Central Drug Research Institute, India, since 2007.

Member planning committee Department of Science and Technology, SERC, India, since 2007. Fellow: Indian Academy Neuroscience. Member: Society for Free Radical Research, Society for Biotechnologists, Japan Neuroscience Society, International Society Neurochemistry, International Brain Research Organization, Indian Pharmaceutical Society, Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry, Society Neurochemistry (vice president), Oxygen Club.

Interests

• Badminton, cricket, ping pong/table tennis, movies, travel.

Connections

Married Usha Rajamma Mohan, January 22. Children: Karthika Mohan, Vishnu Mohan.

Father:

K.V. Parameswaran

Mother:

Leela Devi Amma

Spouse:

Usha Rajamma Mohan

child:

Karthika Mohan Mohanakumar

child:

Vishnu Mohan Mohanakumar