Dr. Srinivas Natrajan Endowed Scholarship Launched
New England College of Optometry is pleased to announce that an endowed scholarship has been established to honor Dr. Srinivas (Raj) Natrajan, a NECO faculty member from 1969–1999 who died on January 8, 2025. The scholarship was established with a generous initial gift from Dr. Natrajan’s niece, Dr. Padmini (Sharma) Nathan OD ’82. The scholarship will go to second year OD students at NECO who excel in pharmacology.
Dr. Srinivas (Raj) Natrajan began his remarkable journey at NECO in 1969 as an Assistant Professor of Physiology. Over the years, he progressed to become an Associate Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology in 1974 and was promoted to Full Professor in 1985, a testament to his dedication and expertise.
Dr. Natrajan’s academic achievements were extraordinary. He earned a master’s degree in Animal Nutrition from Auburn University in 1965, an MS in Pharmacology from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1974, and a PhD in Nutrition from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1969. He also earned his OD from New England College of Optometry in 1984.
After 30 years of committed service, Dr. Natrajan retired in 1999. His contributions were honored with the Alumni of the Year Award, and the faculty passed a resolution recognizing his profound impact. The resolution noted: “Dr. Natrajan has had an influential role within this institution as a distinguished educator in areas throughout the Bioscience curriculum. He has contributed to the reputation of the New England College of Optometry by his activity in optometry and continuing education, both nationally and internationally.”
“Dr. Natrajan’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of students and colleagues at NECO,” said Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, Dipl., President and CEO of NECO. “I was one of Raj’s students back in the day, and I believe that this endowed scholarship will serve as a living testament to his expertise, dedication, and devotion to his students and NECO as an institution. It’s a wonderful tribute.”
