Dr. Paruchuri Gangadhar Rao, Deputy Director & Head of Chemical Engineering area at Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai has been appointed the Seventh Director of Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), Jorhat with effect from November 18, 2002. RRL Jorhat is the only National Laboratory set-up in the North Eastern Region of India devoted fully for the economic development of N E Region through the application of Science & Technology based on the natural resources available in the region. It has a staff strength of over 488 people with approximately 175 scientific and technical professionals. Dr P G Rao is a Chemical Engineer of great distinction. He obtained his B Tech in Chemical Engineering from REC(NIT), Warangal in 1974 with distinction and M Tech in Chemical Plant Design from IIT, Madras in 1976. Dr Rao obtained his Ph D from IIT, Madras in 1995 for his thesis in the area of Polymer Engineering. Dr Rao joined RRL, Jorhat initially in 1976 as Scientific Assistant. Through focussed research and sustained hard work, he rose to the level of Scientist EI in 1986. He was involved in the chemical process development of agrochemicals like Phosphamidon, Quinolphos and Chlorofenvinphos which have earned FICCI award to RRL in 1982. He was involved in the development of Process design and engineering group which has provided basic engineering packages to eight processes, five of which were commercialized. In addition, he has made significant contributions to the areas of flow additives, modelling and simulation of multiphase flow in crude oil pipeline network of Bombay High, Hazard and risk analysis of chemical process plants. Dr Rao is also responsible for developing computer facilities and software packages at RRL Jorhat. In 1991, Dr Rao joined at Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai to head the Central Design Engineering cell there as Scientist EII. There he rose to Scientist F in 1996 and also became the Head of Chemical Engineering Department. He has continued his remarkable work there till November 2002 combining scientific research with technology development, industrial applications and R&D management. At CLRI, Dr Rao’s significant scientific contributions are in the area of process development for leather chemicals, design of leather chemical plants, tanneries, design and implementation of process control systems in tanneries, Modernization of tanneries, design of leather complexes, preparation of techno-economic feasibility reports, implementation of cleaner technologies in tanneries, creation of awareness for Good House Keeping(GHK) practices in tanneries, etc. Dr Rao is also involved in the implementation of several projects through Leather Technology Mission, the successful mission project of CSIR. Dr Rao has made contributions in the basic research in the area of charge transfer polymerization and its modelling, application of power ultrasound in leather processing. Dr Rao was on deputation abroad to countries like Germany, Holland, Italy, Russia, USA, Malaysia, Srilanka and Bangladesh in connection with advanced research training and projects implementation. He has 44 publications in peer reviewed international journals, 24 in Indian journals, 70 papers presented in national and international seminars, proceedings, 4 patents, 3 copy rights and 2 chapters in books to his credit. He has guided two Ph D students and presently guiding 3 Ph D students. Dr Rao is Fellow of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers and past President of IIChE. He is also Life Member of several learned societies/associations such as Loss Prevention Association of India, Administrative Staff College of India, Madras Science Society and Assam Science Society.