“Dr. Eric Christopher Lobo: A Trailblazer in Biochemistry, Medical Research, and Community Service”

Dr. Eric Christopher Lobo is a distinguished professor of Biochemistry at Yenepoya Medical College, part of Yenepoya University in Mangalore. He completed his medical education at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, and began his career in 1993 at Fr. Muller Medical College. In 1999, Dr. Lobo joined Yenepoya Medical College, where he has served for over 25 years, a milestone celebrated during the institution’s Silver Jubilee Year in July 2024. He has held various prominent positions throughout his career.

He is a member of the Board of Management at Yenepoya University and served as an executive committee member of the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI) for three years, starting in 2008. He is also a long-standing member of the Board of Studies at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, where he has contributed in various capacities since the university’s inception in 1998. In addition, he is recognized as a reference professional in the field of Inborn Errors of Metabolic Disorders by the Department of Neurochemistry at NIMHANS, Bangalore.

His research and professional experience are diverse and extensive, particularly in cancer diagnostics and treatments, where he has collaborated with the departments of Oncology and Radiobiology at Kasturba Medical College. His expertise extends to medical laboratory diagnostics, where he has worked with premier medical institutions both in India and internationally, including institutions in Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Since 1997, Dr. Lobo has operated a referral diagnostic center, the first of its kind in Mangalore, offering advanced laboratory diagnostic services. He was also a pioneer in introducing Vacutainer blood collection systems and quality control standards in clinical laboratories throughout Mangalore.

He is highly respected in the field of medical genetics, particularly for his work in chromosomal analysis and karyotyping, in collaboration with St. John’s Medical College and Manipal Hospital. He has also worked with AIIMS Delhi on the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders. His teaching contributions extend to Mangalore University, where he serves as a visiting faculty member in the departments of Biosciences, Applied Botany, and Applied Zoology. Internationally, he has gained recognition for his contributions to clinical chemistry. In 2008, he received a fellowship from the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and was awarded the Gallwas Grant by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry for his work in maternal and prenatal diagnostics.

He is a life member of the ACBI and has presented numerous research papers, including on rare disorders, at conferences across India. He has also been deeply committed to societal contributions. A former Rotaract member, he organized Mangalore’s first blood donation camp in 1992 and later became president of the Rotary Club Mangalore Hillside. In this role, he adopted and upgraded two primary schools. He is also the founder of the Lobo Teachers Foundation, established to support teachers and improve education. Additionally, Dr. Lobo has been instrumental in establishing nursing and allied health science programs to empower rural youth and women. His contributions to healthcare education and skill development have left a lasting impact on the Mangalore community and beyond.

*********************