Nandury Venkata Subba Rao received DSc from Andhra University, Waltair, and PhD from University of London, UK. He became Professor and Head, Chemistry Department, Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Academic and Research Achievements: Rao’s significant contributions were in: (i) chemistry of natural products; (ii) synthesis of aromatic and heterocyclic compounds likely to be of value as insecticides, fungicides and bactericides; and (iii) mode of formation of heterocyclic nitrogen rings.

Other Contributions: Professor Rao was responsible for establishing an active school of organic chemical research at Osmania University.

Awards and Honours: Professor Rao was elected Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry (London), Chemical Society (London), Indian Chemical Society, and Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore.