Profile

Ranganath has made notable contributions to the genetics of speciation and evolution. He has studied the evolutionary cytogenetics of the nasuta sub-group of Drosophila. He was able to dissect out the pattern and the process of evolutionary divergence of the nasuta cluster by a multidimensional approach. He made experimental laboratory analysis of the hybridization and raciation in Drosophila covering over 450 generations. This is considered as one of the best documented study in support of 'catalytic role of hybridization in evolution', particularly for animal systems. This is a sort of large-scale evolutionary experimentation under laboratory conditions. The members of this complex, which are at different stages of evolutionary divergence, offer a rare and unique opportunity to study the multidimensional process of raciation. He has mentored 12 PhD students and published 125 papers.

Professor Ranganath was awarded the INSA Young Scientist Medal (1979), UGC Career Award (1986), Golden Jubilee Award by the University of Mysore (1994), Professor YT Thathachari National Award for Science (2003) and Aryabhata Award (2008). He was elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, and National Academy of Sciences (India) Allahabad and Foundation Fellow, Entomology Academy of India.