Prof. Mandava Venkata Subba Rao is a highly reputed Ph. D (Veterinary Microbiology), animal health / One Health and higher education specialist. A dynamic and creative leader, focusing on timely delivery and team work, endowed with strong planning, organizational, motivational and prioritization skills. With over 50 years of multi-disciplinary experience in teaching, R & D in vaccines and diagnostics and highly pathogenic emerging diseases (HPEDs), he closely worked with international groups in implementing programmes in FAO (USAID/EC projects), World Bank, and Winrock / Arcadis euroconsult and Somaliland development fund (SDF)/Mott McDonald projects and ADB Project in Uzbekistan.  He has significant international exposure and familiarity with multicultural environments.

Provided technical expertise to The World Bank and FAO (USAID/EC funded) projects relating to human and animal health/One Health  and the wild birds (migratory birds) health for preparedness, prevention, detection, and response to Avian Influenza (H5N1) outbreaks and to manage, coordinate, and monitor activities through organization of missions. In this process liaised with several National and state governments and the officials in South Asia. Some of the major contributions are in the area of HPEDs and major Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) like Avian Influenza (H5N1), FMD, PPR, PRRS etc. Many scientific contributions include one health related issues like antimicrobial resistance (AMR) etc. Designed the virology laboratory of Animal health division of BLRI, Bangladesh including operational requirements like training of staff, equipment, containment laboratory’s, biosafety and security management procedure and research programmes in molecular biology and vaccines and diagnostics.  Designed the laboratory strengthening component of World Bank’s pandemic preparedness Avian Influenza control programme of India and Nepal.  Coordinated USAID/EC funded FAO’s country and regional technical assistance programmes comprising role of migratory birds in HPAI and technical assistance in epidemiology besides undertaking laboratory need assessments, and strengthening laboratory services with the ultimate goal of bringing them to ISO standards and helping in establishing quality management systems in national laboratories in the region.

Conducted training need assessments (TNA) and developed curriculum for capacity building of staff for diagnosis and control of trade limiting diseases of Republic of Somaliland (East Africa) as a Veterinary laboratory expert for Somaliland development fund (SDF)/Mot McDonald project. Developed curriculum and implemented continuing veterinary education programmes for ADB/Uzbekistan project at Samarkand state university of veterinary medicine, livestock and biotechnologies as International veterinary education/training specialist.

Contributed to World Bank’s Assam (India) One health Case study that seeks to design an investment framework and propose an effective global One-Health implementation support architecture for zoonotic disease prevention and preparedness.

Major focus was on the one health, curriculum development and capacity building and development of laboratory design networks for diagnosis, epidemiology and surveillance of HPEDS including Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI) in South Asia. Provided leadership and quality oversight to all research related national and international educational and training activities. Designed skill-oriented animal husbandry, dairy and fishery diploma courses which enable generation of employment and entrepreneurship among rural youth. Possess excellent programme management and communication skills, and ability to build relationships, and inspiring others.  Created functional linkages with international organizations and laboratories in US, UK and Australia.

Developed extensive contacts with senior government officials in India, a Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Various International organizations viz., NAS/NRC of USA, World Bank, UNFAOand universities have drawn upon the experience and expertise of Prof. Rao.Expert Reviewer for Animal production and Health component of the report in draft form prepared by National Research Council (USA) - “Emerging technologies to benefit farmers in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia” 

Recipient of several awards and fellowships including national level outstanding teacher’s awards of Indian Council of Agriculture Research and Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, India.