Hassan Annegowda Ranganath did his BSc and MSc degrees from University of Mysore, after which he worked there as UGC Junior Research Fellow (1971-73) and CSIR Senior Research Fellow (1973-75). After obtaining PhD (1975) under the supervision of Professor NB Krishnamurthy, he had postdoctoral experience in Germany and UK. He served at the University of Mysore for over three decades in different capacities; Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University (2006-2008); and Director, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous institution of UGC (2008- ).

Academic & Research Achievements: Ranganath has made notable contributions to the genetics of speciation and evolution. He has studied the evolutionary cytogenetics of the nasuta sub-group of Drosophila. He was able to dissect out the pattern and the process of evolutionary divergence of the nasuta cluster by a multidimensional approach. He made experimental laboratory analysis of the hybridization and raciation in Drosophila covering over 450 generations. This is considered as one of the best documented study in support of 'catalytic role of hybridization in evolution', particularly for animal systems. This is a sort of large-scale evolutionary experimentation under laboratory conditions. The members of this complex, which are at different stages of evolutionary divergence, offer a rare and unique opportunity to study the multidimensional process of raciation. He has mentored 12 PhD students and published 125 papers.

Other Contributions: As Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University, Ranganath took several initiatives to enhance the quality in teaching, research and administration of Bangalore University. He established the national facility "Drosophila Stock Center" at Mysore University which is catering to the needs of over 250 institutions in India (1994- ) by providing genetic stocks of Drosophila. Another center called "Unit on Evolution and Genetics" is coming up at Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, under his leadership with the funding from the Department of Science and Technology, Delhi.

Awards and Honours: Professor Ranganath was awarded the INSA Young Scientist Medal (1979), UGC Career Award (1986), Golden Jubilee Award by the University of Mysore (1994), Professor YT Thathachari National Award for Science (2003) and Aryabhata Award (2008). He was elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, and National Academy of Sciences (India) Allahabad and Foundation Fellow, Entomology Academy of India.