Prof. Dr. K. Muthuchelian is a scientist with more than 30 years of teaching and research experience at different hierarchical levels including Professor, Head and Chairperson, Vice Chancellor; currently he is serving as Pro Vice Chancellor in Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore. He obtained his Doctorate Degree from the School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India. Subsequently he had Post-Doctoral research from the University of Ancona, Italy. He has been conferred with the prestigious " Doctor of Science (D.Sc.)" in recognition of his research accomplishments on "Biomass Resource Management and Technology". He has been conferred with several fellowships from prominent foreign and Indian scientific societies including International Energy Foundation, Canada, National Academy of Biological Sciences, Paleobotanical Society, Zoological Society of India, National Environmental Studies Academy and Indian Applied Association of Microbiologists. He has guided 82 students for research and 44 candidates have been awarded Ph.D. under his supervision.
In his three decades of research experience with more than 30 research projects with leading International and National organizations including IUCN - Switzerland, ICTP-Italy, University of Reading - UK, EPA - USA, BSA - UK, Euro Science - France, Third World Network (Biosafety) - Malaysia, World Water Council - France, Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment - Switzerland, Provincea Di Marchae, Ancona, Italy; Institito Di Agrario, San Michele, Trento, Italy and Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association, Hawaii, USA. MAB Programme and National Biodiversity Authority - MoEF&CC. He has published more than 220 research articles, 25 books, 42 book chapters and more than 500 popular scientific articles in leading SCI journals and magazines to attain his 'h' index 23. He authored books on Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Management; Perspectives in Plant Biodiversity and Glimpses of Animal Biodiversity and these books graciously released by Hon'ble Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President of India and His Excellency Dr. K. Rosaiah, Governor and Chancellor, Government of Tamilnadu. He served as Chairman of NAAC Peer Team visits in many institutions across India and active member for different panels and committees in UGC, DST, MNRES and MoEF&CC.
He received 40 prestigious International and National awards to his academic credentials including the First Indian Scientist honored with the prestigious award by University of Ancona Italy in 1998, "Lifetime Achievement Award in Environmental Science, "Life time Achievement Award in Food and Nutritional Sciences, "Life time Achievement Award in Microbiology, twice the "Merit of Excellence Award", "Eminent Scientist Award of "76th Indian Science Congress Endowment in Natural Sciences" and was consequently awarded 'Best Tamil Book Award' in 2014 for 'Uyirvirimam' in Tamil - 'Biodiversity Current Status and Management' and in 2015 for 'Noolagam Arivulaga Nulaivuvayil' in Tamil - 'Library: A gate way to Knowledge' by Department of Tamil and Culture, Government of Tamil Nadu. During his tenure at Periyar University as Vice Chancellor, he established 5 new departments. He is the Life Member of SOCIETY FOR PLANT RESEARCH.