Dr. T. Gopal, former Director of Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals, Bangalore, belonged to the first batch of veterinary students of Karnataka from Mysore University.  Subsequently, he obtained his Master’s degree in Pathology in 1967 from Madras Veterinary College. After serving briefly with the State Department of Animal Husbandry and University he left for U.S.A. in 1973, where he obtained a second Master’s degree (Toxicology – Pathology) & Ph.D.in Pathology, from the Kansas State University in 1976 and 1977 respectively.  He was also awarded the prestigious Membership of the societies of Sigma XI and Phi Zeta (1975-77).

During his professional career Dr.Gopal was actively engaged in research related to animal health covering a wide range of research areas in Pathology, Toxicology and Immunology to include, Mycotoxins, animal models for carcinogenetic and other environmental interactions in causing animal disease.

He served as a member of Expert Committees constituted by the Governments of India and the State Government of Karnataka, to review the causes of deaths among radio collared tigers and wild elephants. He was responsible for investigation, establishing & isolating the Rinderpest virus from Indian   gaur in free living state in India. He was the head of the Research & Disease Investigation later the Director of the Institute of Animal Health & Veterinary Biologicals.

Dr.Gopal heads ANCF’s programme on Emerging Infectious Diseases from Wildlife.