Six Decades Journey of Professor PK Gupta: A Legacy in Toxicology, Education, and Global Scientific Leadership

This article provides an overview of the significant scientific contributions of Prof (Dr) PK Gupta in the field of toxicology. His research has focused on the toxicological profiling of chemicals, consumer products and plant sources, including investigations into their metabolic behavior in animal and human systems, and their implications for environmental and human health, with particular attention to effects on future generations. Prof. Gupta has played a leading role in the development and application of short-term experimental methods to predict the long-term toxicological effects of chemicals. These methods have supported regulatory decision-making and contributed to the safer selection and use of chemicals in various sectors. His work has also addressed the emerging toxicological issues associated with nanotechnology, which enables the design of novel materials and devices at the nanoscale and presents new challenges for risk assessment and safety evaluation. Throughout his career, Prof. Gupta has held several prominent positions, including Scientist-in-Charge of Safety Evaluation at IITR, Lucknow (formerly ITRC), Principal Scientist and Chief of the Division of Pharmacology & Toxicology at IVRI, Visiting Professor in the United States, and Advisor to the World Health Organization (Geneva). He has contributed extensively to toxicology education, the development of professional societies, and the establishment of scientific journals, including key roles in IUTOX, the Society of Toxicology (India), and Toxicology International. In addition, Prof. Gupta has supervised numerous postgraduate and doctoral students who have progressed to leadership positions in academia, industry, and government. His work has had a lasting influence on the advancement of toxicological science and its application to public and environmental health.