Snake Venom and Human Health Translating Nature's Toxins Into Therapeutics

Professor Subir Chandra Dasgupta is an Honorary Emeritus Professor at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira. He has over 38 years of distinguished experience in zoology. He retired in 2023 as Professor and Head of Zoology at Maulana Azad College, Kolkata. Specializing in cytogenetics and venom research, he earned his PhD from Calcutta University with a thesis on Indian Black Scorpion venom. Professor Dasgupta is renowned for pioneering studies on the biochemical and pharmacological properties of snake venoms, contributing to anti-venom therapies and novel pharmaceuticals. He has published over 50 research articles, three books, and holds one international and one national patent. His work has been featured on Discovery Channel and BBC World News. A dedicated mentor, he has guided 12 PhD students and led major projects funded by UGC, DST, DRDO, and CSIR. He serves on academic boards, is a Fellow of the Zoological Society of Kolkata, and actively promotes zoological research and education in India.

Dr. Arup Giri, M.Sc., Ph.D. is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, Baba Mastnath University, India. He is also serving as the Director of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Baba Mastnath University, India. Dr. Giri has completed M.Sc. in Zoology from Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, University of Calcutta. For his doctoral research, he has joined DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh, Ladakh UT, India, and received a Ph.D. from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, TN, India in Life Sciences. Dr. Giri has later joined as a postdoctoral ICMR-SRF fellow at DIHAR, Chandigarh, India. He has also worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Life Science, Arni University, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. His main research interest is on ‘Animal Physiology and Environmental Toxicology.’ A prolific author with 76 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Giri's impact factor of 93.53 underscores the significance of his contributions (Google Scholar citation: 1023; H-index: 19; i10-index: 29). A mentor par excellence, Dr. Giri has guided numerous students in their academic pursuits. With six completed Ph.D. thesis, on-going mentorship for four more, and guided 85 post-graduate students. His supervision has been instrumental in earning accolades, such as the 'Best M.Sc. Dissertation Work' at Sri Sai University, Himachal Pradesh, India. Dr. Giri's influence extends beyond borders, with memberships in esteemed international societies and collaborations. He serves as a reviewer for prestigious journals (Poultry Science Journal, Biological Trace Element Research Journal, Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, RevistaAmbiente&Água, Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances, Frontiers in Analytical Science, Italian Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology, Biological Rhythm Research, Biomarkers, Science of the Total Environment, Applied Water Science Journal, etc.), enriching the scientific discourse on subjects ranging from trace elements to environmental integration. Beyond academia, Dr. Giri is an ardent advocate for environmental stewardship. His research spanning five published book by Springer and ELSEVIER, 37 book chapters, two training manuals, and two technical bulletins. He received the ‘Best Academician Award’, 'Young Scientist Award,' 'Young Researcher Award,' and 'Best Oral Presentation Award" two times by different prestigious institutes of India.

Professor Dibakar Chakrabarty is Professor and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus. He earned his PhD from Jadavpur University and is known for his pioneering research on Russell’s viper venom. His extensive studies on venom biochemistry, toxicology, and biomedical applications have led to numerous publications in top journals like Toxicon and Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Notably, his work on novel proteins such as Daboialipase and SPAD-1 has advanced anti-cancer and anti-coagulant therapies. His team was the first to identify anti-coagulant factors in jellyfish toxins and characterize a wound-healing protein from starfish. A prolific author of book chapters and holder of an Indian patent for a novel fibrinolytic activity assay, Professor Chakrabarty currently leads research developing anti-cancer peptides from animal venoms targeting lung and breast cancers. As a mentor and leader, he has established one of India’s premier toxinology laboratories and inspired a new generation of researchers in venom-based therapeutics.