Leadership

Nitte Vinaya Hegde can be described as an entrepreneur having made a successful foray into the field of education, a philanthropist, a technocrat, an avid sports lover, a family man and finally to describe in his own words a true human being. He towers over many others when it comes to his contribution in heralding the second renaissance in the field of education in undivided Dakshina Kannada district. Under the guidance of this great visionary, Nitte Education Trust (NET) run by him has emerged as the largest Mangalore-based educational institution catering to basic and professional education. Being the son of a famous father late justice K S Hegde, Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Speaker of Lok Sabha, was not a deterrent for him to carve out his own place of eminence.

Mr. Vinaya Hegde also spearheads Lamina Group of Industries as the Group Chairman, which has a turnover in excess of Rs. 200 crores, employing more than 2000 people. The group has an export turnover in excess of Rs.100 crores with exports to countries like Germany, U.S.A, U.K, Korea, Finland, Belgium, and others. The flagship company Lamina Suspension Products Ltd, which was founded in the year 1976, manufactures Automobile Leaf Springs. He was the Chief Promoter of Marmagoa Steels Limited, a Mini Steel Plant set up at Margao, Goa, in 1989. He was former Chairman of CII, Mangalore Chapter and was nominated by the Government of Karnataka as the Industrial Representative in the Governing Council of KREC, Suratkal, (now NIT Karnataka) and held this office till the institution was elevated as National Institute of Technology. He was appointed by the Government of Karnataka as Chairman of Coastal Agenda Task Force, constituted for drafting long term plan for the comprehensive development of the Coastal Districts.

He is also the former Chairman of the Board of Governors of National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal (by Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India), member of the Mangalore University Syndicate & Academic Council, and member of the Governing Council of Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. The Coastal Agenda Task Force headed by him played a key role in proposing the Special Economic Zone for this region, which is now becoming a reality. A great sports lover that he is, Vinaya Hegde was responsible for awakening the sporting spirit among Mangaloreans by conducting national sports for the first time in the district headquarters in 1984 under the aegis of Lamina Group. He had a part to play in the development of some national-level athletes from the district.

In memory of his late father, the Nitte Education Trust established a Foundation in 1992 under his Chairmanship. The Foundation undertakes charitable works like village adoption, housing, education and healthcare, resettlement of displaced children and vocational training. In recognition of his distinguished and longstanding service in the fields of education and industry, Mr. N. V. Hegde has been conferred with "Honorary Doctorate" by the Mangalore University. When the Nitte (Deemed to be University) was established in 2008, he became the Chancellor. Under his farsighted leadership, in a short span of just four years, Nitte (Deemed to be University) has been placed under category "A" by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, which is a rare distinction and achievement.

Prof. (Dr.) M. Shantharam Shetty completed his MBBS from the Government Medical College, Mysore in 1964 and MS (Ortho) from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi in 1970. He also holds F.A.C.S , F.I.A.M.S, F.I.C.S.(Ortho) and has been conferred with F.R.C.S from the Royal College of Surgeons, England. He has over 40 years of experience in teaching medical students and has trained more than 300 postgraduate students in Orthopaedics.

He started his career with the Nitte group as the first Dean of K S Hegde Medical Academy from 1998 to 2007 and later became the first Vice-Chancellor when Nitte (Deemed to be University) was established with 5 constituent colleges viz., K S Hegde Medical Academy, A.B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences and Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy. He held the post of Vice-Chancellor from 2008 to 2012. An active academician, he has presented over 200 scientific papers at International, National and State Conferences with 47 publications to his credit. He has delivered expert lectures at National & International conferences and Symposia. He has received the Best Paper Award 4 times and has co-authored a book and written a chapter in one. He has occupied several important academic positions like Member of the Senate, Academic Council, Board of Studies of several Indian Universities, Inspector for the National Board and Medical Council of India. He is also the Post Graduate Examiner to the National Board, various Indian Universities and International SICOT Examiner in Orthopaedics held in different parts of the world.

Being a multi-faceted personality he is associated with service and non-governmental organizations and has been responsible for their overall growth. He is the President of the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre since 1980 which trains physically challenged children in computer education. He is also associated with the D.K Handicapped Association, Indian Red Cross, Lions Artificial Limb Centre, Indian Orthopaedic Association as their Presidents / Director. He was the AO Trustee Switzerland nominee from India during the period from 2005 to 2010. He has been nominated by AO Foundation, Switzerland as Chairman, AO Trauma India.

Prof. Shetty is the recipient of several honours and fellowships such as The Karnataka Rajyotsava Award for meritorious service in the field of Medicine in 1991, AO Fellowship to Germany in 1983, AADO Fellowship to Netherlands and U.K. in 1996, Ranawat Fellowship to USA in 1989, International Lions President Award for the work for physically handicapped, Indian Medical Association Award for meritorious service in 1999, International Lion President’s Award for Leadership in 1996, Rotary Vocational Service Award in 2000, Vandana Award (Rotary) for meritorious service in the field of Medicine 2004, etc.

Has been a regular faculty for AO Principal, ORP and Advanced and Masters Course held in India and various other Asia Pacific Countries. In short, Dr. Shetty has made a mark as a teacher, educationalist, administrator, and surgeon.

Mr. Vishal Hegde is an industrialist and academic administrator with more than two decades of experience in general administration. Mr. Vishal Hegde is a management graduate specializing in marketing. He has in his world of endeavour both enterprise and education.

Mr. Vishal Hegde holds the position of Trustee, Nitte Education Trust, which is a renowned premier educational organization in Karnataka managing over 30 institutions in 3 campuses at Mangaluru, Nitte and Bangalore. With a student base of over 25000, they include medical, dental, engineering, management, allied health sciences, hospitality and technical, liberal education institutions, a host of Schools and a large multispecialty hospital. Mr. Vishal Hegde is responsible for strategic planning, collaboration and quality management and oversees the philanthropic activities that include community development, health-care and insurance and empowerment. The stellar role that he has been playing has made the educational institutions under the Trust and the University one of the most sought destination for studies by students not only from India but from other countries too.

He joined Lamina Suspension Products (Pvt) Ltd. in the year 1992 as a Director. As the Director of Lamina Group of Companies, which is a 2000 employee, Rs. 1500 Million group engaged in the manufacture and export of automobile leaf springs and brake-drums. He is in charge of the Marketing and New Product Development functions and admirably takes credit for the success of the group. He is also the Director of group companies, such as Lamina International, Lamina Foundries Ltd., Manmet Engineering Product Ltd. and Lamina Leasing Ltd.

He is currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University with the responsibilities for financial administration, procurement management and global initiatives of the University. He has widely travelled in India and abroad.

Prof. Dr. Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, currently the Vice Chancellor, Nitte (Deemed to be University) since 10th November 2017 .

He was appointed as Professor & Head of the department of ENT, from 1999, for a period of 13 years, followed by the Vice Dean, for a period of 5 years and as a Dean of K.S. Hegde Medical Academy for 5 years.

Dr.Satheesh Kumar Bhandary started his academic journey in Mysore Medical College from where he graduated, followed by a diploma and completed his post-graduation, MS in ENT from JJM Medical College, Davangere, in 1986.

He has served for about 10 years as Assistant and Associate Professor in KMC, Mangalore.

He has held a long list of executive and non-executive posts, such as the President, IMA South Kanara branch, President, AOI, Karnataka Chapter and Karavali Branch.

He has contributed immensely to the advancement of his branch through numerous National and International publications and lectures.

He has vastly contributed to research and has received several external grants of more than 20 lakhs from BRNS, Government of India.

Dr.Bhandary is involved in many extension and social causes and was instrumental in establishing the “Mangalore Laryngectomee Club” at K.S Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore which is one of the registered member Club of “The International Laryngectomee Association (IAL)” in India.

He is the recipient of various Honors and Awards, the most prestigious one being the “Arya Bhata Award” for Excellence in the field of Medicine by Aryabhata Cultural Association, Bangalore (2006). “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the Manipal Academy Of Higher Education, Manipal and the “Eminent Educationist Award” by the National & International Compendium, New Delhi. Samaja Ratna in Medicine by Jnana Mandira and samkrithi Trust Bangalore (2014) Saurabha Ratna Award in Medicine by Suma Saurabha state Awards in Bangalore 2015 “Achievement award” by Mantra Natyakala Academy Mangalore, Gurukul Ustav 2018.

Most important he was Awarded fellowship Ad Eundem(FRCS) from Darek Alderson, President Royal College of Surgeons of England, during the convocation held at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, U.K on 10th October 2018.  

• Awarded Fellow, by The International Institute of Organisational Psychological Medicine (IIOPM) on 1st December 2018 in Hyderabad
• Awarded “Swami Vivekananda Excellence Award on March 9th, 2019 on 42nd Annual International Conference on Oriental Heritage 2019 Delhi
• Life Time Achievement Award by Association of Otolaryngologists of India-Karnataka & Kodagu Branch held at Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences on 28th September 2019
• He has 73 publications & has attended more than 80 National/international Conference & has given more than 25 Presentations at Conferences and Scientific Meetings all over the world.
• The Patent titled mouth wash for managing radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer published on 21.2.2020

He has authored 2 books, one of which is a diverse topic from ENT and is about the collection of rare medicinal plants of coastal Karnataka.

Books:
1. Bhandary BSK. KSHEMA Herbal garden: a collection of rare medicinal  plants of coastal Karnataka. Mangalore: Nitte University; 2017.

2. Bhandary BSK. Kivi-ondu kivimatu. Mangalore: Suman Publication; 2016. 

Dr. M S Moodithaya assumed charge as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Nitte (Deemed to be University) on 10th November, 2017. He was earlier the Registrar of the University since November 2013 and Director-Global Initiatives of the University from January 2011 to November 9, 2017. He was the director of Justice K S Hegde Institute of Management, Nitte for nearly 13 years, after being the Principal of Dr. NSAM First Grade College Nitte for two years. Dr. Moodithaya is a postgraduate in Cost Accounting from the University of Mysore and a postgraduate diploma holder in Marketing and Sales Management from Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay. Mangalore University has awarded him the degree of Ph.D. for his thesis on "The issue of Problems and Prospects of Rural Industries in the Context of Globalization". Before joining the Nitte Group in May 1997 Dr. Moodithaya had taught at SDM College of Business Management, Mysore University Post Graduate Centre at Davanagere and MGM College, Udupi.

During his teaching, consultancy and research career of more than three decades, Dr. Moodithaya has published six books, several articles in peer reviewed journals and completed more than a dozen research projects funded by organizations like Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, Karnataka State Agriculture and Marketing Board, Corporation Bank, NABARD, Ford Foundation, ICSSR, Indian Overseas Bank, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India etc. He has also guided and produced Ph Ds on contemporary issues in management in the fields of Corporate Philanthropy, Quality Management System and Financial Inclusion.

Dr. Moodithaya has worked as an advisor to several organizations and is widely traveled in India and abroad and visited countries like USA, Japan, UK, France, Switzerland, Kenya, UAE, Ethiopia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Uganda, Germany, Belgium, Oman, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Netherlands, China etc. on teaching, research and consultancy assignments. He serves in the Boards of Universities, for-profit and not-For-Profit organizations. He has strong research interests in International Business Strategy, Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Development.

Prof. Dr. Alka Kulkarni, a Science graduate, completed MBA in 1985 and acquired Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications in 1991. Her doctoral studies on the topic 'Quality Management Systems in Higher Education - A Study in Karnataka' enabled her to obtain PhD.

Her career began as an Administrative Manager in industry and was followed by her moving to a teaching career in 1989, beginning as a lecturer and rising to the post of Professor. She was the First lady Special Officer of the Visvesvaraya Technological University and made a distinct mark in the administration of the University from 2002 to 2008. She was the Chief Co-ordinator of Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET) for Exam conduction and counseling for PG seats of MBA, MCA and M.Tech comprising all the nine universities of Karnataka. She has served as a Member of various committees/boards of VTU and was the First lady member of the Examination Squad team. Her exceptional abilities were responsible for her nomination as Advisor to various Management Institutions.

She served as a Co-ordinator of the Hubli Centre during the first ever decentralized counseling of Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA--CET CELL), Bangalore for allotment of Medical, Dental, Engineering, Architecture, Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Unani seats in the state of Karnataka from April 2009 to September 2010,

With a vast experience behind her in admissions, examinations and impeccable administration, she was invited by Nitte (Deemed to be University) to take charge as Controller of Examinations from 2011 which she carried out diligently till 13.11.2017. The Selection Committee appointed her as Registrar of Nitte (Deemed to be University) taking into consideration her acumen in overall administration. She has taken charge as the Registrar on 13th November 2017.

Dr. Prasad B. Shetty, an alumnus of A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, completed his Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, in the year 2002. Soon after completing the graduation, he joined as staff in charge of Maranakatte rural satellite centre, under the department Community Dentistry of A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. During his tenure, he has immensely contributed to the overall development of rural centre.

In 2005, he joined for Master's degree in Dental Surgery in the speciality of Periodontics at A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. After completing his Master of Dental Surgery in 2008 under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, joined the department of Periodontics as Assistant Professor. During this period, he was posted to the department of Community Dentistry to monitor the functioning of rural satellite centre. He has presented papers /posters in the National / International conferences. He is the recipient of prestigious Dr. T. N. Chawla award for the best paper under dissertation category in the year 2008 at the National Conference of Indian Society of Periodontology held at Chandigarh. He has published papers in the reputed journals. He has guided the students on ICMR projects.

In December 2012, he was deputed to Nitte (Deemed to be University), as Deputy Registrar (Examinations) to assist the Controller of Examinations in smooth conduct of examinations and overall administration of Examination Section of Nitte (Deemed to be University). He has been appointed as I/c Controller of Examinations from 13th November 2017.

Vinutha J. Shetty is a qualified Chartered Accountant having the 19 years of fruitful working experience in the Nitte Group Companies.

Vinutha J Shetty is a Commerce Graduate from Mangaluru University and has become a member of prestigious Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India in the year 1995. She joined the Lamina Group of Companies in the year 1995 as an Executive (Audit & Finance) where she handled the Accounts & Internal Audit of Lamina Suspension Products Ltd., Padmashree Hospital & Research Centre, Lamina Leasing Private Limited and other Group Companies. In the year 2002, she has been taken to the wings of Nitte Education Trust as an Executive-Accounts and was responsible for Financial, Accounting and Audit matters of various institutions of the Nitte Group. In the year 2008, when Nitte Education Trust has been awarded with status of Deemed University, she has been appointed as the Finance Officer of Nitte (Deemed to be University). She is responsible for the Preparation, verification and dissemination of Critical Monthly, quarterly and yearly financial reports coupled with budgeting and forecasting. She is also involved in monitoring the financial health of the various institutions coming under the Nitte (Deemed to be University) and Nitte Education Trust. She is responsible for Accounting, Finance and Tax related matters of the University and monitoring and documenting various statutory returns. Vinutha J. Shetty is also an Ex Officio Secretary of the Finance Committee of Nitte (Deemed to be University).

Mrs. Sayi Prasanna Hegde is a graduate in Commerce. She also holds a Diploma in Investment Management. She has more than 2 decades of experience in educational administration and has been with the Nitte Group since 1990.

She is also the Administrative Officer of the Nitte Education Trust which has a number of schools and colleges under it. As Deputy Director (Admin) of the Nitte (Deemed to be University), she is in charge of admissions and assists the Pro-Chancellor in general administration. She is also in charge of publicity for the Trust and the University.

Mr. N. Deepak Shetty is a graduate in Business Management from S.D.M College of Business Management and Bachelor in Law from S.D.M Law College. After his education, he was involved in family business for a few years.

He joined the Nitte group in the year 2001 as Personnel Officer. Currently, he is functioning as the Assistant Director (H.R) and heading the Human Resources department of the Nitte group comprising of 4500 staff members.

Prof.Dr. Indrani Karunasagar, an internationally renowned scientist is aM.Sc., PhD in Medical Microbiology from Kasturba Medical College,Manipal. Her professional career spanned across four decadesbeginning as Lecturer, Microbiology at Kasturba Medical College,Manipal, Senior Resident, Microbiology at JIPMER, Pondicherry, ICMRResearch Scientist, KMC Mangalore, Assistant Professor, AssociateProfessor of Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences,Mangalore and Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology,Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University,College of Fisheries, Mangalore. She was the Associate Director ofResearch, KVAFSU, Bidar until retirement.

Apostdoctoral fellow atthe Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, UK, UNESCOBiotechnology Fellow, University of Maryland, College Park, USA, andSenior Overseas Associate of DBT at the Centre for MarineBiotechnology, Baltimore, University of Maryland, USA, she was also avisiting professor to the University of Wurzburg, Germany &University of Ghent, Belgium and has collaborated in research for anumber of years. She hasserved on several national and international Committees includingFAO/WHO, Joint Expert Committee on Microbiological Risk Assessment(JEMRA), Member of FAO subcommittee on Antimicrobial resistance.Scientific Adviser, International Foundation of Science, Sweden;Faculty member of the International Life Science Institute, Singaporeand National Academy of Science, USA.She is actively promoting ‘One Health’ research and education.Her recognition at the International level includes the covetedposition of Director of UNESCO Centre for Biotechnology; ViceChair of theInternational Jury for UNESCO Life Science Prize for research andsocial relevance.

She was the Director (R&D),Nitte (Deemed to be University) and also headed the Institute forScience Education and Research and was the Dean, Faculty ofBiological Sciences for six years from July 2014 to October, 2020 .She was instrumental inbringing about responsible conduct of science research andpublication. As the first Director of Nitte University Centre forScience Education and research, an Institute that was born in 2014,she prepared the blueprint for various academic programmes atundergraduate and postgraduate level. Presently,she is the Director Projects and Heads the Technology Enabling Centreof Department of Science and Technology at Nitte (Deemed to beUniversity).

Shehas excelled in areas of marine biotechnology, molecular biology, andfood safety and is a member of several national and internationalcommittees, Principal Investigator of national as well asinternational collaborative projects (Indo-Swedish, Indo-German,Indo-Australian, Indo-Belgium, Indo-Norway, Indo-UK, Indo-Sri Lanka),member of Academic and Research Advisory councils of several NationalInstitutes and Universities and is also on the EditorialBoard of national and international journals. Sheis a recipient of severalawards andrecognitionsin India and abroad, notable being, National Technology DevelopmentAward, Govt. of India; Fellow, National Academy of AgriculturalSciences; Sir. M. Visvesvaraya Award for Excellence inResearch and LifetimeContribution to Science and Technology, GoK; Rafi Ahmed KidwaiAward, ICAR, GoI; Lifetime Achievement Award, Department ofBiotechnology; Punjab Rao Deshmukh Outstanding Woman Scientist Award,ICAR, GoI, M.S. Swaminathan Award, Professional Fisheries GraduatesCouncil, National Bioscientist award, DST, GoI; Asia Pacific Awardfor eminence in Aquatic Virology, T.V.R. Pillai award for highestimpact factor and research excellence in publications, Vyas MemorialAward of Association of Microbiologists of India, Young Scientistaward of Karnataka Association for the Advancement of Science, Prof.J.V. Bhat Oration Award, Manipal University and Dr. VasundharaMemorial Oration Award, DFRL, Mysore, She has over 300 publicationsin high impact factor national and international journals, Chaptersin several books, edited three books, guided 40 doctoral and 40Masters thesis of candidates who are now occupying prestigiousfaculty and industry positions in India and abroad. With > 8761citations, h-index of 51 and i10 index- 154, she has been leadingNitte (Deemed to be University) in innovative research and motivatingthe faculty and students from Karnataka towards inter andmultidisciplinary collaboration.She has been and continues to be the Principal Investigator ofseveral national as well as international collaborative projects andhas contributed extensively to human resource development &capacity building among young scientists.

Dr. Nagesh Prabhu holds an MTech in Power & Energy Systems from KREC (now NITK) Surathkal and PhD in Power Systems & Power Electronics from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. He has obtained the research grants from various sources including CPRI-MOP, GoI; AICTE - New Delhi and KCTU GoK, for research in the area of Power Electronic application to FACTS, Electric Vehicle and advanced converters with Wide Band Gap SiC Power Electronic Devices.

His research interests are mainly in the area of power system dynamics & control, HVDC & FACTS, custom power controllers for enhancement of Power Quality and Integration of FACTS with Smart Grid & Micro Grids. He has over 60 research publications including IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, IEEE Access, Elsevier Science (Electric Power System Research and Power & Energy Systems) and other International and National Conferences. He has guided two research scholars for their PhD degree from JNTU, Hyderabad and two research scholars for their PhD degree from VTU. Five research scholars are currently pursuing their PhD under VTU Belagavi.

He is presently serving as an Associate Editor for IEEE ACCESS Multidisciplinary (Q1) Journal and is a regular reviewer for 6 IEEE Transactions, 6 Elsevier Journals and 5 International Journals in the area of Electrical & Electronics Engineering. He is a senior member of IEEE, Member of IEEE Power Engineering Society, Member of Exe-com of IEEE PES Chapter of Bangalore Section, Life Member of ISTE and Fellow of Indian Society of Lighting Engineers.

Dr. Harsha Halahalli received his M.B.B.S degree from Karnatak Medical College, Hubli and post-graduate degree M.D degree in Physiology from Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education & Research, Pondicherry. He subsequently pursued MPhil and PhD studies in Neurophysiology at the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. He joined KS Hegde Medical Academy in 2004 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and is currently a Professor.

His research interests are in cognitive neuroscience and neurobiology of psychiatric disorders. His published work, with a Cumulative Impact Factor of 34.3, is related to cognitive neuroscience and neurobiology of psychiatric disorders.

As an educator, he is interested in the use of technology in medical education. He was instrumental in establishing a contemporary human physiology teaching laboratory and guided the teachers of the department in adopting newer assessment methods like Objective Structured Practical Evaluations. First as the Coordinator and later as an Advisor of the Medical Education Unit at KS Hegde Medical Academy, he provided an impetus to training of teachers in educational methods and technology. He also facilitated the development of training programs for students in the Clinical Skills Laboratory.

Dr. Harsha Halahalli was appointed as the Director for Curriculum Development, NitteDU in 2018. In this role, he promoted outcome-based education curricular models in programs of the University. Concurrently, as the IQAC Coordinator, he played an important role in NAAC accreditation of NitteDU.

Dr. Harsha assumed office as the Registrar of NitteDU in May 2022.

Ashutosh Shetty oversees accreditations and rankings at NITTE (Deemed to be University). He received his B.D.S degree in 1998 and M.D.S degree in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics in 2001 from A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. He joined Bapuji Dental College & Hospital, Davangere as an Assistant Professor in 2001 and is currently a Professor in the Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore.

Praveen kumar Shetty has Twenty five years of experience in teaching Medical Biochemistry to PhD, Medical, Dental and Physiotherapy graduate and postgraduate students in India and USA. He was the co-ordinator, BiSEP, Dept. of IT/BT, Government of Karnataka and Visiting Professor of UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas, USA. He has completed his Post-Doctoral studies in the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Texas, USA and University North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas, USA. His Post Doctoral research activities mainly include molecular mechanisms of the fibrinolytic components (uPA, uPAR, PAI-I ) in lung cancer and other lung disorders, Purification and characterization of mRNA binding proteins.

His group has identified the novel role of p53 as a mRNA binding protein and its role in the regulation of uPA, uPAR and  PAI-I and studied the regulation of fibrinolytic components in different animal models like Lung injury ( Bleo)  infection (Anthrax and Flu) and cancer. During his stint in UNTHSC, studied the expression analysis of Calcium dependent phospholipid binding protein Annexin A2 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and role of Annexin A2-STAT-6 interaction in metastatic prostate cancer progression. After coming back to India he has established collaboration with many research centers in India and abroad.

Currently, he is working on multiple projects like Triple negative Breast Cancer, prostate cancer (miRNA) biomarkers, Limbal Stem Cell ex vivo growth and characterization, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Alzheimers Disease. Dr. Shetty’s Medical Biochemistry expertise, his overseas exposure and association with various clinicians has made him try some translational work like ex-vivo growth, characterization and transplantation of limbal stem cells (Ophthalmology), melanocytes in vitiligo patients (Collaboration with Dermatology), Chondrocyte extraction and characterization (Orthopaedics), Synovial fibroblast extraction, growth and delineation of molecular mechanism in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Whartons jelly stem cell extraction, growth and characterization, Screening of novel organic molecules, PLGA nanoparticle formulation and characterization and Metabolic Disorders-Screening and further work up. He has completed many Extramural Research projects from Cancer Research Foundation of North Texas, ICMR, DST-SERB, VGST-DBT, Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Foundation and Rajiv Gandhi University Health Sciences Research funding. Dr. Shetty has many peer reviewed publications in high impact factor journals like Am. J. Respir. Crit care Med, Molecular Cancer, British Journal of Cancer, Scientific Reports, Journal of Biological Science, American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biol, Neoplasia, Journal of Pathology etc.

Sadhana Deshmukh, A postgraduate in Psychology from the University of Bombay has more than 2 decades of experience in Training and Learning & Development. She has worked both in the industry as well as the Education sector. Her Industry experience ranges from assignments in Banking, Manufacturing, Automobile, Telecom and many other sectors.

She has been instrumental in curriculum development for training & development in her previous assignments. Apart from being an effective trainer & motivational speaker, in her 13 years of experience in the Education sector, she has build the strong teams of trainers across India, has set up the language labs successfully and created training modules as per the training need analysis for the faculty as well as the students.

As the Director of Staff Development Centre at NitteDU she is in charge of Training and Learning & development of the staff.

Prasanna R Kailaje, Innovative professional with over 34 years of progressive management expertise with demonstrated skills Public Relations, negotiation, networking, initiative, creativity in the domains of Pharmaceutical Sales, Marketing and Training, Education Administration Business Development. Expertise in administrating Training & Development Expertise in organising professional meetings, work-shops, symposiums developing speakers, Currently working as the Director, Student Welfare and Alumni Relations,

Mr Mahesh Kumar Chowta holds a Master's degree in Business Administration. He joined the Nitte group in the year 2008 as a Systems Administrator.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the field of open source technology, programming, computer networking and Information Technology administration. Extremely passionate about computer programming, he currently heads the Information Technology Department of the Nitte University and Nitte Education Trust.