Prof P Ramarao, currently head of Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) will take charge as the new director of NIPER from September 1, 2004. The new appointment comes in place of Dr C L Kaul, whose 10-year tenure as the founder director of NIPER ends on August 31, 2004.

Prof Ramarao is known to have successfully established the Pharmacology & Toxicology department and has also been instrumental in shaping other facilities at the Institute viz., Computer Centre, Library and Central Animal Facility. In a multi-dimensional career spanning over 25 years, Prof. Ramarao has held various positions of responsibility. He is a member of several national committees.

Prof. Ramarao completed his Pharmacy education (B. Pharm. and M. Pharm.) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in 1979 and worked for a short period in Analytical Testing Services, New Delhi. He joined his alma mater in 1980 as lecturer, and obtained his Ph.D. in the year 1986. Subsequently, during 1987 -1990, he worked in Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago and Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston.

Prof. Ramarao on his return joined as Reader in Pharmacology at his parent department. While working at this department he was offered UGC Career Development award in 1995 (which he did not avail) and opted to join NIPER to establish the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Dr Ramarao's research interests are determination of cause and effect relationship of diabetic complications especially hypertension, inhibition of opioid tolerance and dependence and G-protein coupled receptor characterization and their transmembrane signal mechanisms.