Young Scientist Award for N S Sudheer

KOCHI: N S Sudheer, a Post-Doctoral Fellow with the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health at CUSAT, has won the Young Scientist Award, instituted by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Thiruvananthapuram.His was picked for the award in recognition of his project on mangrove plants for developing ‘anti-white spot syndrome virus’ which could be applied orally along with diet. The extract Ceriops tagal showed excellent anti-white spot syndrome virus property on application. With this finding, there is every possibility of developing a novel drug for controlling the dreaded disease which has literally paralysed the shrimp industry, said the experts.The research was carried out with the financial assistance from the Department of Biotechnology under the guidance of Prof I S Bright Singh, coordinator, National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health and Rosamma Philip, Assistant Professor, Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a research grant of Rs1 lakh and a certificate.