R. W. Alexander Jesudasan
R. W. Alexander Jesudasan is an Indian entomologist credited with the discovery of more than 60 species of whiteflies in South India. He was a prominent educationist and served as Principal of Madras Christian College (2009–2020) and have been part of many education-related committees including NAAC Peer Team.
Professor R. W. Alexander Jesudasan | |
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Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Teaching |
Years active | 1950-2012 |
Known for | Entomology [1] |
Title | Professor |
Board member of |
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Awards | |
Academic background | |
Education | |
Alma mater |
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Academic work | |
Discipline | Zoology |
Sub-discipline | Entomology |
Institutions |
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Main interests | Peace Studies |
Education, research and career
Alexander is an alumnus of Guru Nanak College, Chennai and Madras Christian College,[1] prestigious institutions in Chennai, India. He joined as a professor in Department of Zoology, Madras Christian College in 1986, where he served until his retirement in 2020.
He took charge as the Principal of Madras Christian College in 2009, serving the college in that capacity for 11 years.
Considering his contributions to entomology, University of Madras Awarded Alexander DSc in 2010 in recognition of his “contributions to the knowledge of Indian whiteflies (aleyrodidae: Hemiptera: Insecta) with an emphasis on whitefly-ant interaction”.[1]
Leadership and contributions
During his leadership, the college was ranked 10th (2018) and 13th (2019)[10] in the colleges category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework. College was also repeatedly ranked the Best College in Chennai and featured among top five in various surveys, like the "India Today"[11] and "The Week" survey.
He also took initiative for many programmes like Sharing Knowledge You Had Abroad (SKY) programme, Sport for All etc. His contributions to infrastructural development in the campus are also notable. He was instrumental in the establishment of various facilities like Indoor Stadium, modernized Science Laboratories, Modernization of Women's Lounge, Solar Power Plant, two new Women's Halls, modernization of Student Centre, Air-conditioning of Anderson Hall[12] and Bishop Heber Chapel.
Contributions to entomology
Alexander is credited with the discovery many species of Whiteflies:[13]
- Aleurocanthus: 9 Species
- Aleuroclava: 16 Species
- Aleurolobus: 11 Species
- Aleuropapillatus: 1 Species
- Cockerelliella: 1 Species
- Cohicaleyrodes: 1 Species
- Crenidorsum: 5 Species
- Dialeurodes: 1 Species
- Dialeurolonga: 2 Species
- Massilieurodes: 1 Species
- Pealius: 3 Species
- Rhachisphora: 2 Species
- Singhiella: 2 Species
- Singhius: 1 Species
- Tetraleurodes: 3 Species
- Zaphanera: 1 Species
See also
- Prof. Dr. M. Abel
- The Rev. John Anderson
- Very Rev. Dr. William Miller
References
- A, Chitradeepa (27 September 2010). "World-class researcher and an able administrator". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- M. Ramya. "R W Alexander Jesudasan, principal of Madras Christian College, has been elected as president of the Madras Science Foundation". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "Visit of the NAAC Peer Team to St. Francis College: News by St. Francis College for Women, Begumpet, Hyderabad". Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "Senate". unom.ac.in. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "AIACHE FOUNDERS & PRESIDENTS". www.aiache.co.in. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- May 5, M. Ramya. "R W Alexander Jesudasan, principal of Madras Christian College, Chennai, won the Best Principal Award 2012, instituted by the All Indian Association for Christian Higher Education". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "Five chosen for Ambedkar Award". The Hindu. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- Sep 16, M. Ramya. "Principal of Madras Christian College in Chennai R W Alexander Jesudasan gets Maxim Gorky Life Time Achievement Award for excellence in scientific research and able administration". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- Alumni, Prominent. "Alumni Association, Guru Nanak College". www.gurunanakcollege.edu.in. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "MHRD, National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF)". www.nirfindia.org. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "Best Arts Colleges 2018: List of Top Art Colleges 2018 in India". www.indiatoday.in. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- "MCC to now charge students up to 20,000 a day to rent their halls for college events". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- Martin, Jon H.; Mound, Laurence A. (31 May 2007). "An annotated check list of the world's whiteflies (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)". Zootaxa. 1492: 1–84. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1492.1.1. Retrieved 3 June 2020.