Respected researcher

Impressed with her research and knowledge of the subject at the XXVI conference of the International Society for Fluoride Research at Wiesbaden, Germany, Dr Niloufer Chinoy of Ahmedabad was elected president of this body for a two-year term ending 2007. This honor is "normally bestowed on a distinguished researcher and Dr Chinoy happens to be only the second Indian lady scientist to be so honored,” notes a press release. At the conference she chaired an important session on "Systemic Response to Fluoride” and additionally presented two research papers: one dealing with the occurrence of fluoride toxicity in human population of 90 endemic villages of north Gujarat and another experimental study in protein deficient mice with aggravated fluoride toxicity effects. During the four-day conference from September 26-29, 2005 she delivered a special lecture on "Fluoride and Oxidative Stress.”

Chinoy: facts on fluoride

Former head of the Gujarat University’s zoology department and director of the University School of Sciences, Chinoy has taught for over 40 years during which time she has guided 42 PhD students, 36 MPhil and 50 MSc students with their dissertations. For 12 years she served as coordinator of the University Grants Commission’s Departmental Special Assistance and COSIST (Committee for Strengthening of Infrastructure for Science and Technology) Programmes and subsequently as coordinator of DST-FIST [Department of Science and Technology (New Delhi) and Funds for Improvement of Science and Technology] Programmes. She is the author of 10 books, has prepared 17 educational video programs and received 17 research grants from national and international agencies including the World Health Organisation, mentions her curriculum vitae.

Baroda born Chinoy spent her early days in Delhi studying at the Queen Mary’s Higher Secondary School after which she did her graduation and postgraduation in science from the Delhi University. She obtained her PhD in zoology from the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda and then embarked on her teaching career at the same university. During that time she qualified for a senior Ful­bright-Hays Grant from The Rutgers State University, USA to carry out post doctoral research work. Former president of the Society of Reproductive Biology and Comparative Endocrinology and vice president of the Gujarat Science Academy, Chi­noy enjoys the distinction of being elected Fellow of eight academic bodies. Having participated in innumerable national and international conferences and seminars her research work has earned her several awards, adds the release.