In a significant leadership change at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), Dr Beena Pillai has been named as the new Director for a five-year term. The institute, operating under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, is pivotal in advancing research in disease biology, translational sciences, and technology development. Dr Pillai, a renowned scientist specializing in RNA biology and neuronal development, will succeed Prof Chandrabhas Narayana.
The appointment of Dr Pillai comes as the institute looks to expand into critical areas, following the completion of Prof Narayana’s tenure last year. With a background as Chief Scientist at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Dr Pillai is known for her research on RNA’s role in early development, neurogenesis, behavior, and disease susceptibility. Her expertise includes identifying microRNA markers in human diseases.
Hailing from Kalady, Dr Pillai earned her B.Sc from Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai, and completed an integrated MS-PhD at the Indian Institute of Science. She later established a robust research program in genomics and molecular biology at CSIR-IGIB. Her scientific achievements have been acknowledged with prestigious awards, such as the National Bioscience Award and the INSA Young Scientist Award.
Under Dr Pillai’s leadership, BRIC-RGCB aims to advance national initiatives like a cGMP-compliant facility, a bio-manufacturing hub, and an oncology referral hospital. This appointment is viewed as a positive step towards enhancing India’s research-to-innovation pathway, with the scientific community at RGCB anticipating a renewed focus on cutting-edge science.
