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Prof. K. Mohandas, former President of the Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs India (1999–2001) and former Director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), passed away on October 9, 2025, at 3:45 PM in Bengaluru. He was widely admired for his exceptional clinical expertise, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to innovation and technology development in healthcare. A postgraduate in Anesthesiology from the Christian Medical College, Vellore, and an MD from the Medical College, Mysore, Prof. Mohandas began his career at Calicut Medical College before joining the Sree Chitra Tirunal Medical Centre in 1976, where he served as Chief Anesthetist during the first open-heart surgery at the Centre. He later became Dean in 1993 and Director in 1994, leading the Institute until 2009. His tenure witnessed the establishment of several pioneering initiatives, including the Comprehensive Centres for Epilepsy and Movement Disorders, and the launch of public health programs such as the MPH course. In recognition of his distinguished contributions to Anesthesiology, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, UK, awarded him the Honorary Fellowship—making him the first Indian to receive this distinction. He also served as President of the Association of Indian Universities (2004), Chairperson of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (2005–2007), and the founding Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health Sciences. The Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs India pays heartfelt homage to this distinguished leader and visionary, and extends sincere condolences to his bereaved family. Very sad news ! He was very encouraging to all of us, very pleasant and ready to support everyone always.  Great loss not only for medical fraternity but also for biomaterials and the artificial organs community. He was for a device development program, a lot of memories come in my mind. My condolences and pray for his soul rest in peace. Chandra P. Sharma

Prof. Ashok Kumar has been elected as Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) – 2024

Prof. Balakumar, National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Madras, has been honoured with the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award for Physical Sciences, presented by the Honorable Education Minister – Tamilnadu.

Congratulations! Prof. Ashok Kumar on being elected as a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) 2024

Prof. M.S. Valiathan, an eminent cardiac surgeon, the founder Director of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram and the first Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 9:14 PM in Manipal at the age of 90. The SBAOI pays homage to his memory and remembers his distinguished contributions to the growth of SBAOI with gratitude. He was an esteemed member of SBAOI and a Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE – IUSBSE).

Valiathan served on the faculty of the Georgetown University Hospital, PGIMER, IIT Madras and as the founder director of SCTIMST (1979-1994). Subsequently, Valiathan became the first Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University in 1994. He served as the President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA, 2002-2004) and National Research Professor (till 2006). Valiathan received the highest civilian honours of India, the Padma Shri (1985), Padma Bhushan (1990) and Padma Vibhushan (2005), for exceptional and distinguished services to medicine and health technology in India. He was made a Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes académiques, an honour bestowed by France, in 1999. He received the Dr. Samuel P. Asper International Award from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2009 for his contributions to international medical education.

Professor Valiathan’s remarkable career included significant contributions to cardiac surgery and medical technology. He was a proud alumnus of the Medical College Trivandrum and held fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, England, and Canada. The multidisciplinary team at the SCTIMST led by Valiathan developed the first Indian tilting disc heart valve, a vascular graft and a series of disposable devices such as blood bags, oxygenators and cardiotomy reservoirs, which are in commercial production that laid the foundation for India’s medical devices industry. 

He has also pioneered several scientific studies in the field of Ayurveda and authored several books on the subject. Valiathan had observed, “At this time there is no common ground where physicists, chemists, immunologists and molecular biologists can interact with Ayurvedic physicians. Ayurveda is not only the mother of medicine but also of all life sciences in India. Despite this, science has been completely divorced from Ayurveda… But these are the interdisciplinary areas where advances will take place”. He has authored several books on Ayurveda including “The Legacy of Caraka”. 

Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs (SBAOI) extends our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His legacy of excellence and dedication to medical innovation, scholarly achievements and education will continue to inspire us all.

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Very sad news.

Prof. Valiathan was an inspiration to all of us. He was responsible for building this institute and starting Biomedical Technology Wing. This initiated the medical devices development in India. Nation will always be grateful for providing strength in the emergence of medical technology in India. 

I am personally very sad because he is responsible to provide me the job and brining me to India. 

May his soul rest in peace and may God provide strength to his family to bear this loss. 

An Era has ended. 

Om Shanti! 

Dr. Chandra P. Sharma

Abstract submission for TransMedTech24 is open from July 1, 2024 to September 15, 2024. TransMedTech24 aims to showcase the frontiers of Biomedical Technology, including demonstrations of cutting-edge medical devices, implants and diagnostics. It will directly benefit all those working in the areas of biomaterials, tissue engineering and artificial organ development, both in Academia and Industry. The various sessions will be interesting to researchers in medicine and dentistry, industry start-ups, medical device manufacturers and organizations in MedTech field. Dedicated sessions will be conducted for the for the interaction of delegates from industry, academia and regulatory aimed at transforming the medical device industry from basic to deep technology level. We welcome medical professionals, scientists, engineers, students and industrial personnel to participate and take the most advantage of the proceedings. Submit abstract by visiting http://deepmedtech24.com

Professor Abhay Pandit has been elected President-Elect of the Global Tissue Engineering Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS). TERMIS has a global mission to advance tissue engineering and regenerative medicine worldwide to generate knowledge to improve patient outcomes globally. Heartiest Congratulations to Prof. Abhay Pandit.

Heartiest Congratulations to Prof. Ashok Kumar, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, on being conferred with the honorary doctorate in the field of technology D.Sc.(tech) by Aalto University, Finland in 2024. Prof. Ashok Kumar’s area of research focuses on developing a new generation of cryogel biomaterials, smart polymeric materials, and nanomaterials for various applications in biotechnology and biomedical engineering.

Prof. Ashok Kumar, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, has been elected as Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE) by the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science & Engineering (IUSBSE). This is the highest honor the global biomaterials community can bestow on outstanding scientists. The induction ceremony was held as a part of the opening of World Biomaterials Congress (WBC2024) on May 27, 2024 at Daegu, Republic of Korea.

Additionally, he is bestowed with the honor of being elected as a Fellow of International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineers (IAMBE), class of 2024. IAMBE fellows are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the profession.