Prof. K. Siddappa

Experience & Activities

Dr. K. Siddappa is a well known teacher, outstanding scientist with international reputation and dynamic administrative leader. He obtained M.Sc. degree in Physics with distinction from Mysore University and Ph.D in Nuclear Physics from Andhra University. He has served in Physics Faculty of Mysore University and Mangalore University, and Mangalore University for 33 years.

Dr Siddappa, as Professor and Chairman of Physics Department of Mangalore University has introduced number of innovative, new and relevant courses for M.Sc. students and taught these courses in an exemplary way. He conducted research in several important areas of Nuclear Physics and Radiation Physics. As Founder Director of Microtron Centre – Electron Accelerator Facility with sophisticated infrastructure – provided opportunity to carryout research in important inter disciplinary areas covering Nuclear Physics, Radiation Physics, Material Science, Radiation Biology, Medical Science and Nano Science. The Centre has nationwide users’ community including BARC, ISRO, IISC, CAT (Indore), IIT (Chennai), VECC (Kolkota), SIT (Delhi) and a host of Universities and Electronics industries from Bangalore, Baroda, etc. Department of Atomic Energy has recognized Microtron Centre as center of excellence and DST has recognized the centre as national facility. UGC has recognized the centre as center with potential for excellence.

Dr Siddappa has guided a number of Ph.D. students and published more than 300-research papers in national and international peer revised journals of repute. He has participated in large number of International Conferences, chaired technical sessions and delivered invited talks. He has visited USA, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Yugoslavia and other countries as Visiting Professor and as Visiting Scientist. Prof Siddappa has served as member of Governing Councils and Governing Bodies of Nuclear Science Center, Delhi; Inter University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics Pune; IIM Bangalore; ISEC Bangalore; Kidwai Memorial Hospital, Bangalore; and many other institutes of national character and also in academic bodies of a number of universities. He has served in important high level committees of UGC, DST and DAE.

As Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University, during 1999-2002, Prof. Siddappa introduced novel and innovative programmes, streamlined the administration and brought discipline in the university. These programmes include introduction of compulsory computer science course with practical training to all the post graduate students for the first time in the country. A Bio-Diversity park was developed in the Jnanabharathi campus of Bangalore University by planting more than 5 lakhs saplings of Western Ghats species of rich diversity. The Bio-Park with rain water harvesting and water bodies has a repository of Bio-Species with birds and animals. The Bangalore University under his leadership got accredited by NAAC with the highest, Five Star rating.

Prof Siddappa is a recipient of a number of National and International awards, from UGC National Associateship to American prestigious society awards. He was awarded Sir M.Visvesvaraya Senior Scientist Award from Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology in 2011 for his life time significant contributions to science. Dr. Siddappa, as Honorary Director of JSS Foundation for Science and Society and now as President of Karnataka Association for Advancement of Science (KAAS) is engaged in strengthening science education at all levels and in taking fruits of science to society.