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2026-04-14T08:54:46Z

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{{short description|Indian scientist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox scientist
| honorific_suffix = [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]], [[Fellow of the Linnean Society of London|FLS]]
| native_name = ഫെലിക്സ് ബാസ്റ്റ്
| native_name_lang = ml
| image = Felix_Bast_AAS_2025.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = Felix Bast speaking at the Australian Academy of Sciences, Canberra, 2025
| caption = Felix Bast speaking at the Australian Academy of Sciences, Canberra, 2025
| birth_name = Vadakke Madam Sreejith Nambissan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1980|05|27}}
| birth_place = Payyanur
| death_date = 
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| fields = [[Phycology]]<br>[[Taxonomy]]<br>[[Science Communication]]<br>[[Antarctic Biology]]
| title =
| education =
| alma_mater =  [[Kōchi University]] (Japan, PhD)
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| notable_students = 
| workplaces = [[Central University of Punjab]]
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| awards = [[Inspired Teacher]] (2015), Fellow of [[Linnean Society of London|Linnean Society]] (2022)
| website = {{URL|https://www.felixbast.com}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Felix Bast''', born as '''V. M. Sreejith Nambissan''' (വടക്കേ മഠം ശ്രീജിത്ത് നമ്പീശൻ), is an Indian [[phycologist]], author, and public educator based at the [[Central University of Punjab]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Felix Bast |url=https://cup.edu.in/Dr_Felix_Bast.php |website=CUP |access-date=13 April 2026}}</ref> He is the member of the high-profile advisory council of [[International Science Council]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2023-10-09 |title=Advisory Council members appointed to guide International Science Council advice across Asia and the Pacific |url=https://council.science/news/advisory-council-appointed-asia-pacific/ |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=International Science Council |language=en-US}}</ref> Paris, and has discovered seven new species of plants from [[India]] and [[Antarctica]]. He had also been inducted by the [[United Nations]] into the high-profile “[[Sustainable_Development_Goal_7|UN-SDG-7]] Reference Group” to shape international-level policy for clean and sustainable energy<ref>{{cite web |title=CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB PROFESSORS STEER UN SDG-7 REVIEW ON GLOBAL PLATFORM |url=https://www.face2news.com/news/104040-central-university-of-punjab-professors-steer-un-sdg-7-review-on-global-platform.aspx |access-date=16 December 2025}}</ref>.

==Early life and education==
Felix Bast was born in [[Payyannur]], Kerala, India, to the Vadakke Madam house, a [[Malayali Brahmin]] family.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Felix Bast |url=http://www.cup.edu.in/Dr_Felix_Bast.php |website=Central University of Punjab |publisher=Government of India |access-date=17 September 2021}}</ref> He was born with the name Sreejith Vadakke Madam Nambissan and because of an inspiration from philosopher [[Voltaire]], changed it to Felix Bast in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Felix Bast |url=https://www.felixbast.com |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=sites.google.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He attended government Boys' High School in Payyannur. Subsequently, he completed BSc in microbiology from [[Kannur University]] with the university first rank and MSc in biotechnology with First Class from the [[University of Madras]] Guindy Campus. Bast was associated with the Department of Chemical Engineering, [[Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay]] as a PhD student and [[Junior Research Fellowship|CSIR-JRF]]. In 2005 he left IIT Bombay to accept the [[Monbukagakusho Scholarship|Japanese Government Doctoral Scholarship (MEXT)]] and completed PhD in Marine Biology from [[Kochi University]], [[Shikoku]], [[Japan]]. Other institutes where he took training include [[Friday Harbor Laboratories]] ([[University of Washington]], USA) and [[Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom|Marine Biological Association of UK]] laboratories, Plymouth, UK.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Felix Bast |url=http://www.cup.edu.in/Dr_Felix_Bast.php |website=Central University of Punjab |publisher=Government of India |access-date=17 September 2021}}</ref>

== Career and research ==
Felix Bast is a full professor at the [[Central University of Punjab]], India. He also served as an expedition scientist for [[Indian Antarctic Program|Indian Antarctic Mission]] 2016-17 and conducted research at Bharati Station and Maitri Station, Antarctica. Bast authored popular science book Voyage to Antarctica detailing his experiences as part of the Indian Antarctic Mission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Voyage to Antarctica |url=https://vigyanprasar.gov.in/product/voyage-to-antarctica/ |website=Vigyan Prasar |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> He served as a guest scientist at [[Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research]], [[Bremen]], Germany in 2018–19. Bast is a renowned algal taxonomist having discovered several new species from India and Antarctica. Species that he and his research team discovered include:

* ''Acetabularia jalakanyakae'' (Dasycladales): A unicellular marine green algae from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India<ref>{{cite web |title="Indian scientists discover 'mermaid' plant species"|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58240416 |website=BBC |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
* ''[[Bryum bharatiense]]'' (Bryaceae): A moss species from East Antarctica that survive on penguin excrements<ref>{{cite web |title="India discovers new plant species in Antarctica"|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57732014 |website=BBC |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
* ''Hypnea indica'' (Hypneaceae): A marine red alga from Tamil Nadu, India<ref>{{cite web |title="New species of red algae seen in west, south east Indian coast" |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/new-species-of-red-algae-seen-in-west-south-east-indian-coast/article34178566.ece |website=The Hindu}}</ref>
* ''Hypnea bullata'' (Hypneaceae): A marine red alga from Gujarat, India<ref>{{cite web |title="New species of red algae seen in west, south east Indian coast" |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/new-species-of-red-algae-seen-in-west-south-east-indian-coast/article34178566.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
* ''[[Ulva paschima]]'' (Ulvaceae): A marine green alga from Indian West Coast<ref>{{cite web |title="Beneficial algal species discovered" |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/beneficial-algal-species-discovered/article6857202.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
* ''Ulva uniseriata'' (Ulvaceae): A marine green alga from West Bengal, India<ref>{{cite web |title="Central University team discovers new species of green algae"|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/central-university-team-discovers-new-species-of-green-algae-to-explore-use-in-anti-cancer-compound/articleshow/64863401.cms |website=Times of India |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
* ''Cladophora goensis'' (Cladophorales): A marine green alga from Goa, India<ref>{{cite web |title="Cladophora goensis"|url=https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=161550 |website=AlgaeBase |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>

In addition, he is the taxonomic authority of ''[[Monostroma kuroshiense]]'', one of the extensively cultivated edible green algae in the Kuroshio coasts of southern Japan.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} As of 2023 nine research scholars have been awarded with PhD degrees under his supervision, and he served as Principal Investigator for 15 research grants with a combined amount of INR 2.13 [[Crore]].

In 2025, Bast was appointed to a new ISC Advisory Council, which was created for the Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Felix Bast |url=https://council.science/profile/felix-bast/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=International Science Council |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-10-17 |title=Central University of Punjab’s faculty Prof. Felix Bast elected into International Science Council Advisory Council |url=https://www.cityairnews.com/content/central-university-of-punjabs-faculty-prof-felix-bast-elected-into-international-science-council-advisory-council |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Cityairnews |language=en}}</ref>

==Other activities==
* Bast founded Young Academy of India<ref>{{cite web |title=Young Academy of India |url=https://sites.google.com/view/yai-home/about|website=YAI |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> and its nation-wide ideological matchmaking program MentX.<ref>{{cite web |title="Story of MentX — India's first ideological matchmaking program"|url=https://indiabioscience.org/columns/indian-scenario/story-of-mentx-indias-first-ideological-matchmaking-program |website=IndiaBioscience |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> Young Academy of India is one of the largest young academies in the world, with over 15,000 active members. The YAI is a member organization of the [[International Science Council]]. At present, Bast is serving as the President of the YAI.
* Bast is a known Science Communicator in India, with frequent contributions in Resonance, Science Reporter, The Hindu and so on.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Science Forum |url=https://worldscienceforum.org/participants/bast-felix-36155 |website=WSF |access-date=17 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917045609/https://worldscienceforum.org/participants/bast-felix-36155 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He also releases an award-winning monthly science show called Curiosity through his YouTube Channel-one of the most popular yet non-monetized science-based channels from India.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Science Forum |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHHG6H0iF6LZLJQiUnwQcZg |website=YouTube |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref>
* Bast is involved with [[SWAYAM]], a flagship [[Massive open online course|online education program]] of the [[Government of India]] as a coordinator of a post-graduate level course "Biostatistics and Mathematical Biology". In 2020, this course was ranked as the 7th best MOOC in the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/modules-by-2-central-varsity-teachers-in-global-top-10/articleshow/73819694.cms |website=Times of India |date=February 2020 |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> As of 2023, the course had over 13,000 enrollees.

==Recognition==
Bast is an elected fellow of the [[Linnean Society of London]], the most prestigious society for taxonomists in the world. Bast is a member and expert panellist of the [[International Science Council]], Paris- an apex body of science academies in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Felix Bast |url=http://www.cup.edu.in/Dr_Felix_Bast.php |website=Central University of Punjab |publisher=Government of India |access-date=17 September 2021}}</ref> In 2023 he was elected into International Science Council's Asia Pacific Focal Point as a member of advisory council. In 2022, he has become an expert member of [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]]. He served as an in-residence intern with the [[President of India]] at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], New Delhi in 2015 and received [[Inspired Teacher]] recognition- the highest recognition for university faculty in the [[India|Republic of India]].<ref>{{cite web |title="Stay at Rashtrapati Bhavan an inspiration, say teachers" |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/stay-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-an-inspiration-say-teachers/ |website=Indian Express |date=13 June 2015 |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> Other recognitions include:
Teaching Innovator Award from Ministry of Education, Government of India in 2019<ref>{{cite web|title="Felix Bast"|url=http://www.cup.edu.in/CV/2020/botany/Resume%20(1).docx%20(1).pdf|website=Central University of Punjab|access-date=18 August 2021|archive-date=18 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818060209/http://www.cup.edu.in/CV/2020/botany/Resume%20%281%29.docx%20%281%29.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
DST Inspire Faculty Award from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India,<ref>{{cite web|title="Felix Bast"|url=http://www.cup.edu.in/CV/2020/botany/Resume%20(1).docx%20(1).pdf|website=Central University of Punjab|access-date=18 August 2021|archive-date=18 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818060209/http://www.cup.edu.in/CV/2020/botany/Resume%20(1).docx%20(1).pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
NAM-Leibniz Guest scientist award 2018 to do sabbatical at Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, [[Germany]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Leibniz-ZMT |url=https://www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/news-at-zmt/news/news-archive/new-nam-fellows-at-zmt.html%EF%BB%BF |website=Leibniz-ZMT |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>
and Elected as national core committee representative of Indian National Young Academy of Sciences, New Delhi (2020)<ref>{{cite web |title="INYAS" |url=https://inyas.in/congratulations-to-inyas-core-committee-member-felix-bast-and-inyas-member-paramdeep-singh/ |website=INYAS |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624093457/https://inyas.in/congratulations-to-inyas-core-committee-member-felix-bast-and-inyas-member-paramdeep-singh/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2025, Bast has been inducted by the [[United Nations]] into the high-profile “[[Sustainable_Development_Goal_7|UN-SDG-7]] Reference Group” to shape international-level policy for clean and sustainable energy<ref>{{cite web |title=CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB PROFESSORS STEER UN SDG-7 REVIEW ON GLOBAL PLATFORM |url=https://www.face2news.com/news/104040-central-university-of-punjab-professors-steer-un-sdg-7-review-on-global-platform.aspx |access-date=16 December 2025}}</ref>.

==Bibliography==
As of 2026, Bast authored 7 books:

# Bast F (2024) അന്റാർട്ടിക്കൻ പര്യടനം ("Antarttikkan Paryatanam" in Malayalam). {{ISBN|978-93-6100-560-2}}
# Bast F (2023) Biostatistics and Mathematical Biology. {{ISBN|978-93-5606-626-7}}
# Bast F (2022) Life Skills: A Manual of Critical Thinking and Soft Skills. {{ISBN|978-1-63640-637-4}}
# Bast F (2022) Trees of Ramayana. {{ISBN|978-93-91734-67-1}}
# Bast F (2015) Voyage to Antarctica. {{ISBN|978-81-7480-312-2}}
# Bast F (2015) The Arctic Circle: Six remarkable short stories for the young adults covering the crux of personal productivity. {{ISBN|979-8-4828-0960-0}}
# Bast F (2014) Creatures of India: guide to animals in India with up-to-date systematics. {{ISBN|978-93-81274-48-4}}

As per Google Scholar,<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Scholar |url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=kY3reb8AAAAJ |website=Google Scholar |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> he has authored 137 scholarly articles.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bast, Felix}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Kochi University alumni]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in Japan]]
[[Category:University of Madras alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian botanists]]
[[Category:Scientists from Kerala]]
[[Category:People from Kannur district]]

Felix Bast - Revision history

Asiaarts at 08:54, 14 April 2026