Prof. Peria Gounder Kumarasamy is an accomplished veterinary and animal science academician, researcher, administrator, and former Professor of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai. He has contributed more than three decades to higher education, scientific research, postgraduate training, institutional administration, and the advancement of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics.

He served TANUVAS from 3 February 1993 to 31 March 2024, progressing through the positions of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, and Controller of Examinations. Prior to joining TANUVAS, he served as a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Tamil Nadu, and as Assistant Manager (Veterinary) at Erode Dairy.

During his distinguished academic career, Prof. Kumarasamy held several important leadership positions, including Professor and Head, Post Graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam; Professor and Head, Bioinformatics Centre, Madras Veterinary College; Professor and Head, Animal Genetics and Breeding, Madras Veterinary College; and Professor and Head, Kangayam Cattle Research Station, Sathyamangalam.

Academic Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Prof. Kumarasamy has demonstrated extensive experience in academic administration and institutional development. As Controller of Examinations at TANUVAS, he contributed to the university's academic and examination administration.

He has also served as a member of the Board of Studies in Bioinformatics, University of Madras, and as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences at Washington State University, Pullman, USA.

His professional responsibilities have extended to national-level scientific evaluation and livestock-development programmes. He served twice as a member of the Quinquennial Review Team (QRT) of ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, and as a QRT member for ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Avikanagar, Rajasthan. He was also associated with the National Dairy Plan-I as a Project Management Committee member and External Subject Matter Specialist.

Research & Scientific Contributions

Prof. Kumarasamy has more than 31 years of research experience in Animal Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics. His research has covered cytogenetics, molecular genetics, livestock genomics, cell culture, molecular characterization, marker-assisted selection, and computational biology.

His notable technical and research contributions include standardization of karyological studies in rabbits, including G-banding, C-banding, and high-resolution GTG banding, as well as the standardization of chromosomal preparation techniques in hares. He has undertaken genome analysis using RAPD and RFLP techniques in cattle and buffalo and contributed to the development and application of microsatellite markers for livestock genetic studies.

He established primary cell culture techniques for buffalo embryo kidney fibroblast, skin fibroblast, and granulosa fibroblast cells and worked on long-term preservation of primary cells and cell lines. His research also included maintenance of established cell lines, development of hybrid clones, and karyotyping of primary cells, cell lines, and hybrid clones.

Prof. Kumarasamy contributed to the identification and development of microsatellite primers for the buffalo genome, PCR amplification and sequencing, and DNA quality and quantity assessment using electrophoretic techniques.

Research Infrastructure & Livestock Genetic Resources

A significant aspect of Prof. Kumarasamy's career has been the establishment and strengthening of research facilities and livestock genetic-resource programmes. He contributed to the establishment of a Core Laboratory for the Southern States for molecular characterization of livestock breeds and established a Biotech Centre for the Fecundity Gene at PGRIAS, Kattupakkam, TANUVAS.

He was also involved in establishing a Certified Semen Station at the Animal Genetics and Breeding Department, Madras Veterinary College, and a nucleus flock of FecB animals at the Sheep Breeding and Research Station, Ooty. These activities reflect his contribution to molecular breeding, reproductive improvement, conservation, and genetic characterization of livestock.

Publications & Scholarly Output

Prof. Kumarasamy has produced an extensive body of scientific and educational literature. His documented scholarly accomplishments include:

• 107 scientific articles published in national and international journals
• 109 scientific abstracts
• 168–169 scientific papers/presentations in seminars and symposia
• 40 NCBI sequence submissions
• 17 books
• 17 manuals in English and Tamil
• 33 popular articles in English and Tamil
• 21 pamphlets in English and Tamil
• 5 websites and databases developed
• 37 interactive compact discs developed for training programmes
• 4 breed charts prepared
• 7 radio talks
• Participation in 20 international conferences/workshops/training programmes
• Participation in more than 100 national-level conferences, symposia and training programmes
• Organization of approximately 60 training programmes, workshops, conferences and symposia

His substantial scientific communication record demonstrates a sustained commitment to disseminating knowledge among researchers, students, veterinarians, livestock professionals, and the wider scientific community.

Fellowships, Training & Professional Development

Prof. Kumarasamy received the TANUVAS Merit Scholarship during his M.V.Sc. postgraduate programme and was awarded a CSIR Senior Research Fellowship for his Ph.D. programme. He also received a DBT Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biotechnology and Life Sciences in 2002–03, through which he underwent training at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.

In 2009, he received international training in Marker Assisted Selection at Washington State University, Pullman, USA, under the guidance of Dr. Zhihua Jiang through the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), ICAR.

Awards & Recognitions

Prof. Kumarasamy has received 19 awards and fellowships, reflecting recognition of his contributions to veterinary and animal sciences. His documented honours include:

• Best Poster Presentation Award for research on genetic bottlenecks in Bargur cattle using microsatellite markers
• Best Poster Presentation Award for research on non-genetic factors affecting body-weight gain in Madras Red sheep
• Best Paper Presentation Award for molecular interaction studies using in-silico approaches
• Best Poster Presentation Award for high-resolution melting curve analysis of the Fec-B gene in sheep
• Best Paper Presentation Award for research concerning methicillin-resistant S. aureus and the mecC homologue
• Recognition for completing 25 years of service at TANUVAS
• Achiever’s Veterinarian Award, Indian Veterinary Association, 2019
• Fellow of the Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity (SOCDAB), 2020
• Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Gold Medal Award, 2020
• Eminent Scientist Award for achievements in Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 2020
• Outstanding Researcher in Animal Genetics and Breeding, Centre for Advanced Research and Design, The Venus International Foundation, 2021
• Lifetime Achievement Award in Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Agri & Food Tech Startup Summit and Expo, 2024

Professional & Scientific Service

Prof. Kumarasamy has played an active role in professional organizations and scientific bodies. He served as Former Vice-President of the Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity (SOCDAB) and as an Executive Committee Member of the Indian Society of Animal Genetics and Breeding (ISAGB) and the Indian Society for Buffalo Development (ISBD).

He also served as the Former Chairman of the Monitoring Cell on Anti-Ragging at TANUVAS, contributing to institutional student welfare and governance.

Co-Curricular & Academic Distinction

Beyond conventional academic achievements, Prof. Kumarasamy demonstrated excellence in livestock-related activities, including serving as Captain of the winning team in the Cattle Judging Competition at Palghat in 1998. His combination of academic scholarship, practical livestock expertise, research leadership, institutional administration, and professional service reflects a broad-based contribution to veterinary and animal sciences.

Eligibility for Best Professor Award 

Prof. Peria Gounder Kumarasamy's career demonstrates a sustained record of teaching, research, academic leadership, scientific publication, professional service, student-oriented training, and institutional development. His more than three decades of experience in higher education, progression through senior academic and administrative positions, extensive research in Animal Genetics and Breeding, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, and substantial publication and scientific presentation record establish strong credentials for recognition in an academic excellence category.

His leadership as a Professor and Head of multiple specialized academic and research units, service as Controller of Examinations at TANUVAS, involvement in national-level ICAR review teams and livestock-development programmes, international academic association with Washington State University, and receipt of multiple scientific and professional honours collectively demonstrate a distinguished academic career.

Based on the achievements and credentials provided, Prof. Peria Gounder Kumarasamy is eligible to be considered for the Best Professor Award in Scientific Laurels, particularly in recognition of his long-standing contributions to teaching, research, academic administration, scientific advancement, and professional development in Veterinary and Animal Sciences.