Surendra Nath Ray obtained PhD (1934) from University of Cambridge, UK and DSc (hc) from the Society of Arts and Science, Rio-de-Janeiro. He worked as Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata; Research Officer, Physiology (1944-57), Officiating Head, Animal Nutrition Division (1957-58), Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar and Mukteshwar; Head, Dairy Husbandry Division, Officer-in-Charge, Eastern Regional Station, Director (1967-68), National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal and Kalyani; and ICAR Emeritus Scientist (1970).

Academic and Research Achievements: Dr Ray elaborated a method for estimating vitamin C, which became the standard technique. He worked on the mineral and fat requirements of livestock and elucidated the aetiology of lameness of cattle in certain parts of India as due to chronic fluorine intoxication and discovered the existence of copper deficiency in livestock in certain parts of India. He also worked on the interrelationship of cobalt and synthesis of vitamins in ruminants. At Karnal, he worked on the protein and energy requirements of dairy cattle, on the efficacy of high-roughage diets in maintaining dairy stock and the effect of diet on rumen development in young calves. He also worked on the effect of climate on the physiological behaviour of zebu cattle and of different dietary regimes on the metabolic pattern in the rumen of cattle and buffalo.

Other Contributions: Dr Ray served as Member of Sigma Xi, USA.

Awards and Honours: Dr Ray was President, Physiology Section, Indian Science Congress (1958). He was elected Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad; Vice President, Indian Dairy Science Association, and Indian Association of Animal Production. He served as Chairman, Working Group on Nutrition, National Commission on Agriculture, Government of India; and Honorary Fellow, School of Biochemistry, Wisconsin, USA.