e-ISSN: 3107-6203

Dr. Kirity Roy made pioneering contributions to medical mycology and natural product drug discovery over a distinguished research career spanning nearly three decades.

Born on 28th August 1945 in Patna to Late Sri Chandra Bhushan Roy and Late Smt. Chinmayee Devi, Dr. Roy lost his parents at an early age and was raised in Agra by his uncle and aunt, Late Sri Mriganka Bhushan Roy and Late Smt. Bindhyabashini Devi. He completed his schooling in Agra before pursuing higher education at the University of Bihar, Muzaffarpur, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in botany. He earned his Ph.D. from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, under the supervision of Prof. Gouri Rani Ghosh. His doctoral research on Keratinophilic fungi and the Prevalence of Dermatomycoses from the Soils of Orissa significantly advanced the understanding of soil-borne pathogenic fungi, and he co-described a new fungal genus, Gymnoascoideus petalosporus (G.F. Orr, K. Roy & G.R. Ghosh).

He was awarded a prestigious UNESCO Fellowship and conducted postdoctoral research for two years at the Institute of Microbiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, under the able guidance of Dr. V. Šašek. Dr. Roy began his professional career as a Research Scientist at Hoechst Pharmaceuticals, Mulund, Mumbai, which was later acquired by Nicholas Piramal. Through sustained excellence, he rose to the position of senior principal research scientist and retired in 2004. Post-retirement, he continued his work as an emeritus scientist at Ipca Laboratories, Kandivali, Mumbai.

During his 27-year scientific career, Dr. Roy authored several research publications and mentored numerous young scientists. He was instrumental in isolating and characterizing 79 bioactive compounds of pharmacological interest, including Aranorosin, Aranorosinol A & B, Aranochlor A & B, Arthrichitin, Fumifungin, Isobongkrekic acid, and Orbuticin, in collaboration with his long-time colleague Dr. Sunil Kumar Deshmukh. His most notable achievement was the discovery of Mulundocandin and Deoxymulundocandin from Aspergillus mulundensis sp. nov. (Y-30462=DSMZ 5745). Deoxymulundocandin was subsequently developed as Aminocandin, an echinocandin antifungal targeting fungal cell wall glucan. This contribution remains a landmark in antifungal drug development. Dr. Kirity Roy was my first reporting manager at Quest Institute of Life Sciences, Nicholas Piramal India Ltd., Mulund, Mumbai. I joined his lab in 2001. He was a man of immense discipline, clarity, and purpose. To work under his guidance was to learn the value of precision, commitment, and professionalism.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Roy was known for his discipline, clarity of thought, and mentorship. Colleagues remember him as a demanding yet deeply supportive guide who nurtured both scientific rigor and personal growth in his team. In his earlier years, he was also an accomplished sportsman, representing his university and workplace in cricket and badminton. A keen lover of music, his soulful singing reflected his warmth and passion beyond the laboratory. Dr. Roy is survived by his wife, Smt. Madhushri Roy, his daughter, Kingkini Roy, and his grandson, Vihaan Roy Arend.

His scientific legacy—spanning mycology, antifungal drug discovery, and natural product chemistry—continues to inspire colleagues, collaborators, and future generations of researchers. He will be remembered with deep respect and admiration.

…May his soul rest in peace.

Dr. Shilpa Verekar, Parle Agro Pvt. Ltd.

Deputy General Manager & Head 

Central Quality Lab Operations, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa

Off Western Express Highway, Sahar-Chakala Road, Parsiwada, 

Andheri (E), Mumbai 400 099, India  

 DOI: https://doi.org/10.64993/MS.1.2.6