The Journey of SNCI

Neurochemistry is one of the most rapidly advancing areas of science which is multidisciplinary by nature. It attempts to draw the functioning of the most complex “device” of the human body, the brain. Emerging neuroscientists of modern world, including developing countries like India, face a great challenge in teaching and research due to lack of proper training and updates. With this background, the Society for Neurochemistry, India (SNCI) was established way back in 1979 in the name of Neurochemistry Society of India (NSI) at the University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad (Telangana) as its Headquarters. SNCI is a registered scientific body and has been a constituent society of Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry (APSN) and International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) until this system was changed. Dr. B. Ramamurthy, a pioneer in neurosurgery in India and often recognized as the father of Neurosurgery of India, is one of the founding members and the 1st President of SNCI, and Prof. K. Subba Rao was the founder Secretary of the Society.

The SNCI was registered at Hyderabad (Telangana), University of Hyderabad as its Headquarters. This society has been a constituent society of Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry (APSN) and International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) until this system was changed.

The SNCI inducts neuroscientists as life members and sends them the relevant information from time to time. It has currently over 780 life members from different academic institutions of India, Nepal, USA, and Japan. They include basic and clinical neuroscientists. The membership directory is regularly updated in the website. The Society elects its executive body biannually which consists of President, Vice-President, Secretary General (H.Q), Secretary (O.S), Joint Secretary and Treasurer. Additionally, five executive members are elected from different parts of the country. The Society encourages members to form local chapters at various places. The local chapters organize small symposia and workshops in their respective places. The Society helps partially to conduct these events. Currently, the Society has 11 chapters at Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mysuru, Nagpur, New Delhi, Shillong (North-eastern region) and Varanasi. It has also one international chapter in USA.

The SNCI promotes neurochemistry/ neuroscience education and research in India, and attracts younger generation towards studying neurochemistry. It regularly publishes a newsletter and organizes annual conferences and workshops at different Universities/ institutes in different parts of the country. These workshops are directed to provide hands-on-training and teach young budding students the basic and advanced techniques in neurochemistry/ neuroscience. The Society also helps young students to solve their research problems by allowing them to work in other labs where better facilities are available. More importantly, SNCI encourages faculty and students from neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh to participate in the activities. During annual meetings, the Society provides several awards to recognize the significant scientific contributions of neuro researchers. Dr. G.M. Taori memorial award and Suven Life Sciences award are for young students, Shri Akundi Narayana Murty memorial medal for early career scientists, Dr. B. Ramamurthy Oration award for senior medical practitioners, and Prof. K. Subba Rao Oration award for senior basic scientists. Further, the Society felicitates doyens of the neurochemistry/ neuroscience with a life time achievement award.

The SNCI welcomes and invites all the neurochemistry researchers to join the Society as life members, share their scientific contributions and help the Society to achieve its objectives.