Prof. Balaram

Prof. Balaram

Chairperson, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)

fmr. Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

Prof. Bawa has been the Chairperson of ATREE’s BoT since its inception in 1996 and has played a critical role in shaping the organisation's research and conservation agenda. His leadership has enabled ATREE to become a globally recognised institution that contributes significantly to the understanding of environmental issues in India and beyond.

Prof. Balaram is a distinguished scientist and former Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc). He is among India’s leading biochemists and has received the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri for his contributions to the field. Prof. Balaram has been associated with ATREE’s BoT since 2020. He has played a significant role in steering the organisation during the pandemic and building strong academic governance structures.

Prof. Balaram graduated in Chemistry from Pune University, Pune (1967), and he joined the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur for his Master's in Chemistry (1969). He did his Ph.D from Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh (1972) and underwent Post-Doctoral training at the Department of Chemistry in Harvard University, U.S.A. He has published more than 402 papers and 4 book chapters.