Dr. T. V. Anilkumar’s association with IAVP has been marked by vision, integrity, and tireless commitment. As Secretary-General of IAVP (2008-2011), he strengthened the organizational framework, fostered academic cohesion, and elevated the scientific discourse within the veterinary pathology fraternity. He was instrumental coining the term and initiating 'The Lesion', as a IAVP Newsletter. His administrative acumen combined with scholarly excellence set exemplary standards for professional leadership. A Fellow of IAVP (2007), he has been a pillar of the Association, inspiring generations of Veterinary Pathologists through his academic rigor and ethical grounding. His leadership extended beyond national boundaries when he became the President of the Asian Society of Veterinary Pathology (2016-17), reflecting the international recognition of his contributions to the discipline. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Indian College of Veterinary Pathologists and its Board examination system (first Chair of the Examinations). His valuable suggestions as a Member of the Editorial Board of the IJVP is also appreciable.

Dr Anilkumar was trained under Prof. (Dr.) M. Krishnan Nair and Prof. (Dr.) A Rajan, two doyen Veterinary Pathologists who served the IAVP (1987-1993) as President/Secretary General, at the Manuthy Veterinary College (Kerala). He opted for a career in Translational Medicine, after specialization in Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology at the Imperial College School of Medicine at Hammersmith (Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London), that bridges the gap between fundamental research and patient care. He made seminal contributions in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and pioneered the concept of using extracellular matrix recovered from cholecyst (gall bladder) of farm animals for fabricating tissue-graft scaffolds. He fabricated Cholederm, through an innovative indigenous technology (Make in India or Atmanirbhar Bharat), an 'advanced wound care product' that fosters faster healing of skin wounds with minimal scarring. This is the first animal-derived (Class-D, high risk/sophistication) Medical Device that satisfied all regulatory requirement of the Central Drug Standards Control Organization for commercial production/sale in India, as per the Medical Device Rules (2017).

Dr Anilkumar, is the first Veterinarian practicing Pathology in India who qualified for the prestigious FRCPath title of the Royal College of Pathologists (England). He also holds Fellowships of the National Academy of Sciences (India), the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (India) and the National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (India). He is also a visiting Professor in Laboratory Animal Science at the School of Biology of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - Thiruvananthapuram (Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India). Beyond positions and accolades, he will be remembered for his mentorship, humility, and unwavering dedication for advancing Veterinary Pathology and translational biomedical research. Indeed, he leaves an enduring legacy of professionalism while retiring from formal service in February 2026 at the age of 65 years as Head, Department of Applied Biology, from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology - Trivandrum (an institution of national importance under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India). The Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists wishes him a healthy, peaceful, and fulfilling post-retirement life.

Superannuation