Prof. Jagat Jiban Ghosh who was well known nationally and internationally as Prof. J. J. Ghosh, was born on July 19, 1925 in the village Subhasgram in South 24 Praganas, West Bengal.  Prof. Ghosh was an erudite scholar and eminent teacher in the field of Biological Sciences. He had been associated with teaching and research activities of this University for more than 54 years, till his last breath.

    Prof. Ghosh graduated with honors in Chemistry from Vidyasagar College under Calcutta University in the year 1945 and M.Sc. in Applied Chemistry with Applied Biochemistry as special subject from the University of Calcutta in the year 1948. He did D.Phil in the year 1952 under late Prof. Biresh Chandra Guha.  Prof. Ghosh was awarded the D.Sc. degree of the Calcutta University in the year 1964. He carried out his post doctoral research work on Narcotics Action in Brain under the celebrated British Biochemist, Prof. J. H. Quastel, FRS at the McGill Montreal General Hospital and Research Institute, Canada and also with another eminent American Neuroscientist, Prof. H. Waelch of the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University. Later on he worked with Prof.  E. Chargoff, another Celebrated Biochemist at Columbia and also worked with Dr. Bernard Davis, New York, University College of Medicine. He came back India and joined the University of Calcutta as a first officially appointed lecturer of Biochemistry in the year 1956 and became Centenary Professor of Biochemistry in the year 1965. He assumed the Regular position of Head of the Department in the year 1969.

    Prof. J.J.Ghosh carried out extensive research work during his post graduate teaching at the University in a very simple and modest laboratory at the University College of Sciences and made outstanding contributions in studying the mode of action of neuroactive drugs including Cannabis and its active principle. He also made significant contributions in the biochemical mechanism of acupuncture analgesia. Prof Ghosh was the first and only person in Calcutta who developed a school of  Biomathematical research which made fundamental contributions in this area. He used to tell “plan your work according to your infrastructural facilities; don’t try to build castle in the air. Just go to Bose Institute and visit the museum of Acharja Jagadish C. Bose, his invention etc, etc……..”.

    This way Prof Ghosh built an active school of research with an emphasis in the field of Neurochemistry at the University of Calcutta.  Prof. Ghosh was not only a popular teacher and researcher but also a mentor of about 89 D.Phil/PhD holders who are well established and holding high positions in different teaching and research institutes in India and abroad.

    In recognition of his research contribution in the field of Neurobiochemistry Prof.  Ghosh was nominated in the International Brain Research Organization under UNESCO as the first Neurochemistry panel member from India. He was one of the founder members of International Society of Neurochemistry and as an active member of several National/ International scientific societies including New York Academy of Sciences, American Association of the Advancement of Sciences, International Society for Brain Research, USA etc and many more. He received several medals and recognition certificates from different Institutions and organizations namely, (i) Dr. B. Mukherjee Oration Medal, (ii) Nikhil Banga Bigyan Shilpo Shibir, 1986, (iii) University of Calcutta Illustrious Alumnus Award, (iv) Aparesh Bhattacharyya Memorial Medal, (v) Acharya Jagadish Chandra Basu Platinum Jubilee Oration Medal, (vi) Medal from Kalyani University for his outstanding contribution in research and education of Biological prospects in Chemical Sciences, (vii) Medal from Indian Association of Human Sciences and many more.

    Prof. Ghosh was associated with (1) Calcutta Blind School, Behala (as President), (2) Organon, Calcutta (as Advisory Research Director), (3) Institute of Urban management, Calcutta Corporation (as member of the Governing body). In addition he was also associated with as teacher and research advisor of different academic Institutes, Industries and research division of Hospitals at West Bengal and other places of India. He was also very much associated with Sri Ramkrishna Vedanta Moth, Kolkata. His last contribution in his commitment was the establishment of molecular Pharma Private Limited (where he was the founder Director) in the year 2010….

    Prof. Ghosh had a unique quality of creating a sense of motivation, devotion to duty and passion for the subject among the students.  To many of his colleagues, he was friend, philosopher and guide. In fact he was a true mentor. It was indeed fortunate for his hundreds of students to have a scientist cum teacher (like a farmer/cultivator of education) like Prof. J.J.Ghosh around. He was an ever brilliant, glowing torch of glory, guiding the path of our academic journey till his last breath.