Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Education | PhD from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati |
| Occupation | Academic, Professor |
| Title | Ex Vice Chancellor, GITAM (Deemed to be University) |
Dayananda Siddavattam (born 1957) is an Indian molecular biologist and academic administrator who served as the Vice-Chancellor of GITAM (Deemed to be University).[1] An elected fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, the Indian Academy of Sciences, and the Indian National Science Academy, Siddavattam's research work is focused on molecular biology, environmental microbiology, and the regulation of gene expression.[2][3]
Life and career[edit | edit source]
Siddavattam was born in a village near Piler in present-day Madanapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, India. He completed his undergraduate studies with a major in biology and earned a PhD from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, in 1985.
During his tenure at SKU,[clarification needed] he received international fellowships, including the DAAD fellowship from the Government of Germany and the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship from the British Council, United Kingdom. He undertook postdoctoral research at the Institute of Genetics, University of Bayreuth, Germany, under Walter Kling Müller, and at the John Innes Centre, England, under M. J. Merrick. His work during this period focused on microbial genetics and molecular microbiology.[4]
In 2004, Siddavattam joined the University of Hyderabad as a professor and served there until his retirement in 2022. He held several administrative positions at the university, including Senior Professor, Dean of the School of Life Sciences, and Chief Proctor. He then served as the Vice-Chancellor of GITAM University, Visakhapatnam.[5]
Siddavattam's research has primarily focused on bacterial phosphotriesterases (PTEs), enzymes capable of hydrolyzing organophosphate compounds including insecticide residues and nerve agents. His work demonstrated the occurrence of opd genes encoding PTEs on mobile genetic elements and their lateral transfer among soil bacteria. His research group also reported the presence of twin-arginine transport (TAT) motifs in PTE signal peptides and showed that these enzymes are inserted into bacterial membranes in a prefolded state as part of a multiprotein complex associated with the TonB transport system, which is involved in nutrient transport in Gram-negative bacteria.[6][7] In addition to fundamental research, Siddavattam collaborated with defense and scientific organizations in India to develop PTE-based biosensors for detecting organophosphate insecticides and nerve agents. He has also served as a consultant to pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations.
Honours and recognition[edit | edit source]
Siddavattam has received several national and international recognitions, including the International Research Development Award from the Wellcome Trust, United Kingdom. He is an elected Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences, India. He has also received the J. C. Bose National Fellowship from the Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India,[8][9] and the Prime Minister Professorship from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.[10]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Visakhapatnam: Dayananda Siddavattam is new GITAM's Vice-Chancellor". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam, Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences". Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Fellow Detail Page". Indian National Science Academy. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam appointed Vice Chancellor of Gitam University, Vizag". Herald University of Hyderabad. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam appointed as Vice Chancellor of Gitam". Telangana Today. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam- Google Scholar Profile". Google Scholar. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Center for Health Security Project Team" (PDF). Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "The list of New fellows awarded during the year 2020-21 in the J C Bose Fellowship" (PDF). India Science and Technology, Government of India. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam selected for J C Bose Fellowship". University of Hyderabad. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "PM Professors 2025" (PDF). Serb Gov. Retrieved 2 Feb 2026.