GRADUATE FROM A TAMILNADU VILLAGE BREUER AWARD FOR RESEARCH IN ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Posted on: 09/Nov/2010 6:14:19 AM
Prof Lawrence Rajendran who has his roots in Tamilnadu, who is now a Co-Director and Assistant Professor at the University of Zurich has won the Hans and Ilse Breuer Award worth 100,000 euros for research in Alzheimer`s in Germany.
Lawrence Rajendran did his primary schooling at St. Francis Xavier Primary School, Chennai, High schooling at Government Higher Secondary School, Chennai, Jaigopal Garodia National Higher Secondary School, Chennai,, his college studies at Sri Sankara College of Arts and Science, Kanchipuram, University of Madras, for Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, Masters in Molecular Biology at University of Madras, Madras, and PhD at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
He was brought up his mother, who was a teacher in a government school. Lawrence Rajendran is now only 35, already an authority in his subject. He was born along with children worships his mother, Lily Rajendran, who single handedly, not only raised them but got them quality education. Father was an alcoholic addict, who abandoned the family.
Lawrence`s interest in molecular biology and biochemistry began in Class X when he got introduced to it when he met a professor at the Madras Christian College by chance. When he decided to graduation in biochemistry in 1995, he joined Sri Sankara College for Arts and Science in Kancheepuram as none other boy’s college had the course.
Prof Lawrence Rajendran received the award for his successfully deciphering that specific part of the brain which is the source of the Alzheimer`s disease and creating a drug which addresses the problem
Lawrence, who was a gold medalist both at the under-graduation and post-graduation level, has been funded by stipends and scholarships all through his student life.
And now, its Lawrence`s turn to stretch out a helping hand to bright students from economically weak backgrounds. Three years ago, Lawrence started the Research Awareness in Student Environment (RAISE) programme to assist undergraduate engineering students from Tamil Nadu`s rural areas who have a passion for research and also to create awareness on research.
Five students are selected each year who are then sent to study in Zurich and Max Planck Universities. These students are funded by the universities and Lawrence. "I got the German Neuro Science Society award for 25,000 euros which I have set aside to fund students who are selected through RAISE," he says. Lawrence has a lot to be thankful to his mother and sisters who are all praise for him. "He is a gifted and brilliant child. He is a great actor, singer, dancer, orator and writer. He has varied interests and is a voracious reader. You will never find him without a book," says his sister Florence Rajendran who works as a clinical researcher.
Lawrence only visits his sisters and mothers twice a year, family has always been his first priority, says Lily. "It is because of his hard work, determination and God`s grace that he has achieved great heights," she said.
