A.v.r.l.narasimhacharya

Biography

Education Ph.D. (Zoology) 1988 S.P. University, V.V. Nagar, India M.Sc. (Life Sciences) 1980 S.P. Univeristy, V.V. Nagar, India B.Sc.(Zoology, Botany) 1977 Mysore University, Mysore, India Professional Experience and Technical Expertise Jan. 2001- Professor S. P. University, Dept. of Biosciences, Gujarat, India Jan. 1993-2001 Reader S. P. University, Dept. of Biosciences, Gujarat, India Feb. 1987-1993 Lecturer S. P. University, Dept. of Biosciences, Gujarat, India Involved in decision making related to Zoology (Post-graduate and Graduate level) courses at S.P. University, India as a Member in Board of Studies in Biosciences. I teach – Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Environmental Biology and Toxicology, Applied Physiology and Molecular and Applied Endocrinology and Biology of Animal Behavior Develop animal (Primarily vertebrate) models for laboratory experiments in all of the above courses. These include biochemical measurements of circulating/tissue enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Coordinate installation and maintenance of all equipments associated with these laboratories. Continuing research in avian biology, utility of Medicinal plants as hypocholesteremic and antidiabetic agents; fluorosis- amelioration through feed supplements; regeneration in reptiles. Jul. 1982-Jan. 1987 Research Fellow, S.P. University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, India Worked in field collecting data related to environmental factors and breeding biology in the control of reproduction of the Indian weaverbird. This work in the field and at laboratory level culminated in a thesis entitled, "Investigations on hormonal factors, Integument and certain aspects of breeding biology of the male Indian Baya weaver bird, Ploceus philippinus L. (1987) Collaborated with Dr. Peter J. Sharp (Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, U. K.) for RIA of pituitary and gonadal hormones. Carried out histo-enzymological and ultrastructural studies on the nuptial (breeding) plumage producing skin regions to evaluate changes in the hormone target skin areas in relation to circulating sex hormones and nuptial plumage production in non-breeding and breeding seasons. Used cryostat, rotary and ultra-microtomes for histoenzymological, histological and ultrastrucutral aspects of the avian integument and also spectrophotometers for biochemical assays. Honors/Awards Awarded "Hari Ohm Ashram Prerit Bhaikaka Inter-University Smarak Trust" prize for the year 2008-09 for research paper "Asparagus root regulates cholesterol metabolism and improves antioxidant status in hypercholesteraemic rat" published in e-CAM (6:219-226, 2009). Our research paper "Preliminary study on antihyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipaemic effects of Butea monosperma in NIDDM rats" published in Fitoterapia (2008) journal has been selected as one of the top 25 hottest papers (July to September 2008). Awarded "Hari Ohm Ashram Prerit Bhaikaka Inter-University Smarak Trust" prize for the year 1988-89 for research paper "Environmental and hormonal interactions in the regulation of seasonal breeding in free-living male Indian baya weaver birds (Ploceus philippinus)" published in Journal of Zoology, London (215: 239-248, 1988).

Research Interest

tissue enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins