Mumbai, April 16: Dr. Bina Pillai, a renowned scientist, has been appointed as the new director of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), one of India’s leading biotech institutions. This appointment has been approved by the Cabinet Appointment Committee of the central government, and her term will last for five years.
RGCB, operating under the Department of Biotechnology and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, plays a crucial role in disease biology, translational science, and technological development in the country. This leadership change is considered significant for India’s biotechnology aspirations.
Dr. Pillai succeeds Professor Chandrabhas Narayan, whose term ended last September. She takes on this responsibility at a time when the institute is preparing to expand into high-impact new areas.
Currently, Dr. Pillai serves as the Chief Scientist at the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), where her work in RNA biology and neuronal development has gained international recognition.
Her research has focused on the role of RNA in early development, neurogenesis, behavior, and disease susceptibility. She has also made significant contributions to identifying microRNA markers in human diseases.
Hailing from Kaladi in Kerala, Dr. Pillai completed her B.Sc. at Ramnarain Ruia College in Mumbai and earned an integrated MS-PhD from the Indian Institute of Science. She later established a robust research program in genomics and molecular biology at CSIR-IGIB.
For her scientific contributions, she has received several accolades, including the National Bioscience Award, the INSA Young Scientist Award, and the CSIR Young Scientist Award in Biological Sciences.
Under her leadership, RGCB is expected to accelerate major national projects such as the CGMP-compliant facility, a bio-manufacturing hub, and an oncology referral hospital.
This appointment is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening India’s research-to-innovation process, and the scientific community at the institute anticipates a boost in cutting-edge research.
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