State Minister for Higher Education K.P. Anbalagan on Monday gave away awards to scientists for their contribution to the growth and development of science and technology.

The function, held at Anna University in Chennai, was organised by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology.

The awards were given to Dr.Senthil Natesan, Director, Centre of Innovation, Dept. of Biotechnology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai ,TNAU; N. Thajuddin, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi for biological sciences; N. Rajendran, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Anna University, Chennai, for chemical sciences; R. Velraj, Professor and Director, Institute for Energy Studies, Anna University for Environmental Sciences; S. Mercy Shalinie, Head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, for engineering and technology.

The award in the medical sciences category went to T.S. Chandrasekar, founder, MedIndia Hospital and K. Ruckmani, Director, Centre for Excellence in Nano Bio-Translational Research, Bharathidasan Institute of Technology, Tiruchi.

S. Arumugam, Coordinator, Centre for High Pressure Research, Bharathidasan University, was chosen for the award in the physical sciences category and C. Balachandran, Dean and Professor of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College.The scientists were presented with a cash award of Rs. 50,000 and a citation.