K.V.R. Chary (1954-2022)

Walker Pierattelli WWMR2010 KVR Chary giving his presentation at the XIX ICMRBS in Florence, in the year 2000

We at CERM are deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely loss of Kandala Venkata Ramana Chary, a dear friend to many of us.
KVR Chary was a renowned expert in NMR spectroscopy, and over the last thirty-five years, has made tremendous contributions to several diverse areas in structural biology, molecular biophysics and biological chemistry.

Besides his research activity, he also made fundamental contributions in the development of research institutions and in science education, introducing young scientists towards fundamental research. Founding director of the IISER campus at Behrampur, he played a key role in the planning and establishment of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Hyderabad.
We had close links with him, and he visited CERM in several occasions, first under an Indo-Italian collaborative research project entitled "Structure and dynamics of calcium binding proteins", then in the frame of a Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme under the Seventh FP of the European Union. Within and beyond these collaborations we developed a true friendship, which was fueled by the enthusiasm that we were always pouring into our scientific discussions. We fondly remember our endless brainstormings on the intricacies of the interactions of calcium ions with proteins with multiple binding sites.

It is indeed a great loss not only for the Indian NMR community but also for his many friends around the world. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at TIFR and IISER Berhampur.