Dr. E. P. Madhava Bhattathiry, 1927–2025

Dr. E. P. Madhava Bhattathiry, a distinguished biochemist and esteemed educator, passed away peacefully at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, India on 13 February 2025 at the age of 97. His remarkable journey through life was marked by an unwavering commitment to science, education, and humanity. Known for his simplicity and humility, Dr. Bhattathiry’s life and career serve as a beacon of inspiration to generations of scientists and educators worldwide.Born in 1927 in the small town of Chengannur, Kerala, Dr. Bhattathiry displayed a deep passion for science from an early age. Despite his humble beginnings, his curiosity about the natural world and relentless pursuit of knowledge drove him to achieve academic excellence. He pursued undergraduate degree in chemistry from the prestigious University College, Thiruvananthapuram, where his exceptional academic performance laid the groundwork for his future in scientific research.He was part of the first M.Sc. batch in India started at the Department of Biochemistry in India at the University of Nagpur and completed his M.Sc. Biochemistry and was awarded a Gold medal and Balwant Rao Mahajan Prize for his academic excellence. It was during this period that his interest in diabetes research began to take shape.Dr. Bhattathiry later completed his PhD under Prof. M.C. Nath, focusing on diabetes research and also published several seminal papers in Diabetes, including two landmark papers in Nature in 1955 and 1956.His doctoral thesis, titled ‘Investigations on Experimental Alloxan Diabetes’, was pioneering in its exploration of the biochemical pathways involved in glucose metabolism and insulin function. His thesis was examined by Nobel Laureate Dr. Bernardo A. Houssay (1947) and E. Wertheimer who was a Professor of Pathophysiology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.Dr. Bhattathiry’s research endeavours were prolific and impactful, predominantly focusing on diabetes—a condition that was becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide at the time. He dedicated his scientific career to unravelling the complexities of glucose metabolism, insulin function, and the biochemical mechanisms underlying diabetes. His research was instrumental in advancing the understanding of metabolic disorders and influencing the development of effective therapeutic interventions. During this time, he was invited to join for research at the University of Oxford by Nobel laureate Hans Krebs and also by Nobel laureate Edward A. Doisy to the St. Louis University School of Medicine with a fellowship, both of which he was unable to take up at the time, unfortunately.After completing his PhD, he worked briefly at the V. Patel Chest Institute in New Delhi as a Junior Scientific Officer where he conducted experiments on live Mycobacterium tuberculosis adhering to strict biohazard safety protocols, to advance the understanding of Tuberculosis in the 60s.In 1960, he received a Fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation New York and went as a postdoctoral fellow to University of Texas South Western Medical Centre to work with Dr. Marvin. D. Siperstein for 2 years whose research on the metabolism of cholesterol in the body served as the foundation for later work by Brown and Goldstein for which they won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1985. His postdoctoral work was on bile acid metabolism, and he published a paper on ‘Feedback Control of Cholesterol Synthesis in Man’ with Dr. Siperstein in the Journal of Clinical investigation (JCI) 1963.He later received a postdoctoral fellowship from The National Research Council Canada, and he left for Saskatoon in 1962 and primarily researched on metabolic disorders.During his time in North America, he was able to closely associate and collaborate with Nobel laureate Charles H. Best, the co-discoverer of insulin, and attended his seminars in Dallas and Toronto. Working alongside such eminent scientists underscored his significant contributions to medical science and solidified his reputation as a leading biochemist internationally.Dr. Bhattathiry’s impact extended beyond research and academia. He played a pivotal role in global health and education through his work with the Inter-University Council for Higher Studies in Medicine in London. As a representative of the council, he was instrumental in establishing medical colleges in developing countries, including Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. He helped establish the Biochemistry department at the Universiti Malaya School of Medicine from 1963 to 1971 which was the first medical university in Malaysia. His contributions ensured that the country had a scientifically robust, locally trained medical workforce, addressing critical health issues like diabetes and advancing lipid & cardiovascular research.He briefly was in London following that where he attended several lectures by prominent scientists in the field of biochemistry, also conducted his own research at the medical school in the Department of Physiology in Prof. McDonald’s lab and became Life Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of Biology, and The Biochemical Society. In 1971, he went to Ethiopia to establish a Biochemistry department at the Haile Selassie I University (now known as Addis Ababa University) for 2 years until 1973.His final project under the Inter-University Council for Higher Studies in Medicine was to establish the College of Medicine and Biochemistry department at the University of Nigeria, Enugu from 1974 to 1986 after which he retired and returned to his homeland.His leadership as the head of biochemistry departments in these institutions underscored his commitment to advancing medical education in underserved regions. His contributions were not limited to curriculum development and teaching; he was dedicated to capacity-building by mentoring young scientists and educators. By fostering international collaborations and encouraging knowledge sharing, Dr. Bhattathiry played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of medical professionals worldwide.One of the highlights of Dr. Bhattathiry’s illustrious career was his selection as a distinguished nominee, responsible for determining the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1985. This esteemed position recognized his profound knowledge and contributions to the field of biochemistry. It was a moment of immense pride not only for him but also for his country, as he was among the few from India to receive such an honour.Dr. Bhattathiry’s role as a Nobel Jury member was a testament to his integrity, scientific rigor, and dedication to excellence. Beyond his research and educational contributions, his commitment to global health and knowledge has left a lasting impact, inspiring countless individuals to pursue excellence, contribute to society, and uphold the values of integrity and compassion.He is survived by his wife, Malathy Bhattathiry, and their children: Madhuri, Dr. Manu, and Dr. Malini. Despite his global engagements, he remained deeply connected to his family and his roots in Kerala, India.Compiled by:Vivek Pooyappally Krishnan (Grandson)Based on his biography പമ്പാതടത്തിലെ ശാസ്ത്തസ്ൂര്യൻ written by A. Prabhakaran in Malayalam.This obituary was adapted with permission from the original published in Malayalam.NATH, M., BHATTATHIRY, E. Occurrence of 1: 2 Dienol Glucose in Normal Blood: its Reaction with Alloxan and Chromatographic Identification. Nature178, 1233–1234 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/1781233a0NATH, M., BHATTATHIRY, E. Reaction of Alloxan with Ascorbic Acid. Nature176, 787–788 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1038/176787a0J Clin Invest. 1963;42(10):1613-1618.https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI104846.