Jnanendra Nath Ray received DSc (1934) from University of Manchester, UK. He worked as Professor of Pharmacology and Chemistry, University of Panjab, Lahore; Director, Drugs and Dressings, New Delhi; Technical Adviser, Planning Department, Government of India; Honorary Professor of Chemistry, University of Bombay; and Adviser, Calcutta Chemicals, Kolkata.

Academic and Research Achievements: Ray pioneered work on alkaloids, anaesthetics and chromatography. Apart from his contribution to pharmacology and organic chemistry, he worked on steroids at the University of Bombay.

Other Contributions: At the outbreak of World War II, Ray joined the new department of Drugs and Dressings Director dealing with the manufacture and supplies of drugs, dressings and pharmaceuticals. Ray later became the Technical Adviser to Government of India and was involved in planning of first five year plan.

Awards and Honours: Dr Ray was conferred the OBE Award. He was also President, Chemistry Section, Indian Science Congress (1937). He was elected Fellow of the Indian Chemical Society (President) and Royal Institute of Chemistry, London (President, Indian Branch).