Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 1 : Focus on Research is the key factor in today’s academic world. Research centres give valuable insights and outputs into the specially dedicated areas.
Father Muller Research unit was formed in 2006 and today it has developed as an independent Unit catering the research needs of all educational units of Father Muller Charitable Institutions. Spread over 7000 sq ft built up area , including administrative block, it is Recognised by
- Department Science Technology , govt of India as Science and Industrial research Organization
- Father Muller Research centre is registered with Biotechnology Industrial Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Govt of India.
The FMRC is headed by Dr.Sanjeev Rai B under the guidance of the Director Fr. Richard Aloysius Coelho, and unit has 3 divisions, clinical research division is headed by Dr.Ramesh Bhat, Vice- dean FMMC; Microbiology and infectious diseases division is headed by Prof Beena Antony and Biochemistry, Molecular diagnostics is headed by Professor Shivashankara.
RESEARCH Grants 2019-2020 :
Total grant amount : Rs. 2,65,01,510
External Grants : Rs. 1,38,81,500;
Internal Grants : Rs. 82,24,384
Total number of Grants : 174
Staff 108 – 39 External grants – ICMR, DST, VGST, MERT, RGUHS,,IADVL
Students 66- 40 External Grants –ICMR.DST, RGUHS IAP
Clinical Trials Proposal submitted 52
Under progress 14 with a budget 87,00,000
Workshops organized :
- Workshop on point of care biomedical technologies in association with Indian Institute of Science Bangalore
- Staff orientation on Research methodology and G CP training
- UG Research orientation and research methodology
- PG Residents training on Research Methodology and Synopsis writing
1) Student Research Club was formed 2019 . Ms. InduParkavi as President and Ms. Nicole Sequeira as secretary .
Over 242 students have enrolled as members.
The research club was active during the year. They have Oriented research methods, research topics through lectures. How to write protocols, and introduction to basic statistics etc. Helped to get research scholarships to students from ICMR, RGUHS and IAP and awarded 24 scholarships from FMRC for their research in 2019.
Video conference Webinar was arranged with former FMMC student Dr Thomas George from USA.. He gave tips on How to write research proposals , do and donuts in research work etc. It was a well attended session.
2) FMRC has Memorandum of Understanding with over a dozen educational and research institutions including IISc.
Institutional Ethics Committee (FMIEC) :
IEC is constituted as per ICMR and CDSCO guidelines. Dr. Ashok Shenoy as Chairperson
Dr. Shivashankara A.R., Member Secretary
Recognised by DCGI & DHR and for 5 years
Also registered with OHRP, USA enabling us to review FDA approved trials.
3) Their ethics committee not only caters to in house project proposals , even external institutions like Ecron Acunova, KMC attavar; Indian Hospital and Heart Institute , and St.Aloysius College, Mangalore avail the facilities.
Over 325 research proposals and drug trials are processed during the year.
Focus on Research is the key factor in today’s academic world. Research centres give valuable insights and outputs into the specially dedicated areas.
The microbiology division has a unique faculty for anaerobic bacteria culture and is Accredited by NABL is well equipped with state of the art instruments is supported by the molecular section for improving the diagnostic accuracy, to incorporate the recent genomic techniques and to extend this research facility to other institutions.
They regularly conduct anaerobic workshops for the staff and Post graduates from all over India.
Biochemistry and molecular diagnostic lab is equipped to do immunoassays (ELISA) facility; and analyse drugs, peptides, amino acids and proteins by HPLC chromatography.
The blessing and inaugural was conducted by the Director FMCI Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho at 3:30pm on the first of January 2021 beginning with the unveiling of the plaque followed by prayers and blessing the premise using holy water.
The welcome address and a brief report on FMRC was presented by Dr Sanjeev Rai who admired the determined effort of the Director to promote research and growth of all the institutions of FMCI. The director’s pledge of 1 crore in the institutional budget of 2019-2020 was the cornerstone in the success of creating an environment for active research. The efforts of the FMRC to match the institutional contribution resulted in receiving successful external grants up to the tune of 1 crore and and clinical trial grants of 1 crore. The FMRC through its faculties diligent efforts has resulted in receiving nearly 1/3rd of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Sciences research grants of 2020. Great impetus is given for research by the administration both management and academic. More focus on translational research is envisaged in the context of bench to bed health devices.
The director in his message echoed that the dreams of the senior/past administrators and management has become a reality with an exclusive space for a research center. The dream realized has not only successfully bagged grants and papers but also accolades from near and far. The state of the art laboratory facilities provided is a mere catalyst for the new research to come. They need to stoke the flame to be bigger and brighter, thus the facility will help nurture even more research acumen among the staff and students. With evidence based medicine in clinical practice the need for translational research is even more crucial in dedicated care of a patient. The director motivated the gathering to reflect on an interesting question to bring about curiosity and then research. The careful work scrutinized by Fr Ajith Menezes of the FMRC is commendable. The selfless untiring work of Dr Sanjeev Rai and Dr Shivashakara is reflected in the essence of the FMRC. Concluding the director thanked the staff and students who received grants and funding.
The vote of thanks was presented by Dr Ramesh Bhat, Vice dean of Father Muller Medical College. 30 staff and 30 students were florally honoured for receiving grants and funding by the administrators.
In attendance were Rev Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, Admin FMMCH; Rev Fr Ajith Menezes, Admin FMMC; Rev Fr Sylvester Lobo, Admin FMHT; Rev. Fr Nelson Pais, Asst Admin FMMCH; Deans of the all the FMCI colleges, Heads of departments and a few students.
