Profile

Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA) is a unique constituent unit of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), totally dedicated to research. The institute was established in 2001. Dr Ulhas Wagh was the first Director. Dr P K Ranjekar succeeded him in 2006 and continued upto Dec 2014. Prof. Sahebarao Mahadik, Emeritus Professor, Augusta University, USA continued to play a key role of mentor to the institute throughout this period.

The institute is mandated to conduct research in priority areas of human health in co-ordination with other constituents of the university like Medical, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Dental colleges, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT & BT, Environmental sciences etc. The core area of research includes Mother and child health, Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, Osteoarthritis & Herbal medicine. We have well equipped research laboratories to carry out work in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Excellent and dedicated tissue culture laboratories and animal house facility are also available.

IRSHA has a vibrant and robust full time Ph.D. program. Many of the students receive fellowships from DST, ICMR and CSIR. IRSHA has published about 100 papers in National and International Journals with high Impact Factor.

IRSHA has received more than Rs. 5 Crores of competitive grants from Funding Agencies like DBT, ICMR, DST, Wellcome Trust. Due to their excellence in research, IRSHA scientists and students have received several honours and awards at national and international levels.

Recently ICMR has in principle approved a Centre for Advanced Research in preeclampsia with about Rs. 7 Crore funding to Understand mechanism leading to preeclampsia. The university is also chosen by ICAR for creation of an Advance Center for Linseed Promotion.

Extension of research to society is accorded high priority. Screening for cancer, diabetes, cervicitis at community level has been well lauded. Similarly senior citizen groups are provided free screening and advice by expert to better manage the problem. Availability of omega 3 fatty acids, 3 key nutrient to humans during development and subsequently at all ages is becoming scarce. Special effort is being made to increase production of linseed, a rich source of omega 3 fatty acid in nature, by promoting its cultivation in some parts of Maharashtra and creating value added product at commercial level in Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University).

The institute has made its presence felt both at the national and international levels which is evidenced by many national and international collaborations. It is involved on priority research in key areas and has an excellent future.

Mission

• To be a world class university for Social transformation through dynamic education.

Vision

• To become an acknowledged unique center of scientific expertise in human health and nutrition.
• To tackle selected health related problems pervading our society and the underprivileged in particular.

Goal

• To establish a well-integrated inter-institutional network of the highest caliber in biomedical and biotechnology research to ensure nutritional security to the society.