Brief Biography

Born as Sreejith Vadakke Madam Nambissan in the tranquil town of Payyannur, Kerala, in a Brahmin family, his journey is a vivid tapestry of self-discovery and defiance of societal constructs. In 2003, inspired by the revolutionary spirit of French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, he cast aside his given name in favour of "Felix Bast"—a caste- and religion-neutral identity that echoed his personal convictions and aspirations.

Voltaire himself had famously transformed his identity, shedding the Christian "François-Marie Arouet" for the more secular and resonant "Voltaire". This act of self-reinvention was a bold declaration of rationality, defiance, and personal branding during an era that championed enlightenment and challenged the status quo. Felix was also influenced by Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986), an Indian philosopher who spoke extensively about breaking free from societal conditioning and discovering one's true self beyond imposed identities. Krishnamurti wrote: "Within 5 minutes after your birth, they decide your name, nationality, religion, and sect, and you spend the rest of your life defending something you didn’t choose."

For Felix Bast, the choice of name was a deeply symbolic ode to his lifelong affinity for cats—creatures that epitomize curiosity and independence. The name "Felix", meaning "happiness" in Latin, carries a feline allure. It's intertwined with multiple feline associations:

• Felix the Cat: Otto Messmer's iconic animated character, debuting in 1919, was one of the earliest and most beloved figures in cartoon history, enchanting audiences with his mischievous adventures.

• Scientific Roots: Felis is the genus name for cats, with Felis catus being the full scientific binomial name (aka binomen) for the domestic cat.

By adopting the surname "Bast", a feminine name of the Egyptian cat goddess, he deepened this connection and added layers of rich symbolism. Bast, or Bastet, is the revered Egyptian deity of cats, often depicted as a lioness or a woman with the head of a domesticated cat. She symbolizes protection, fertility, and the nurturing warmth inherent in the feline mystique. By choosing the feminine "Bast" as his surname, Felix Bast not only immersed himself in the heritage of feline veneration but also broke gender stereotypes, highlighting his support for liberalism and feminism.

By weaving together Felix and Bast, he crafted a unique identity that bridges cultures and eras—melding the modern charm of Felix with the ancient reverence of Bast. This fusion creates a name deeply intertwined with feline symbolism across different cultures and epochs.

Metaphorically, cats symbolize curiosity, inquisitiveness, exploration, and playfulness. Profoundly embodying these traits, Prof. Felix Bast stands as a vibrant ambassador for wonder and discovery. Since 2020, he's been the energetic force behind the popular YouTube show "Curiosity", captivating audiences with explorations into the marvels of science and nature.

Moreover, by embracing an animal-inspired name, Felix Bast highlights his broader philosophy of ecocentrism and sustainability. This worldview advocates for the intrinsic value of all living beings, promoting harmony and respect across the tapestry of life. His name becomes not just an identity but a manifesto—a commitment to fostering a sustainable future grounded in unity and reverence for the natural world.

In shedding his birth name and adopting "Felix Bast", he didn't just change what people called him; he reinvented how he presented his ideals to the world. It's a narrative of transformation that mirrors the essence of the cats he so admires—graceful, enigmatic, and ever-curious. His journey is a compelling chapter in the ongoing story of individuals who dare to redefine themselves, challenging conventions, and inspiring others to look beyond the visible to the profound connections that bind us all.

He received his B.Sc with university first rank and gold medal in 2000 from Kannur University, Kerala. He qualified UGC-CSIR NET with JRF during the first year of his M.Sc. Subsequently, he received his M.Sc. degree from the University of Madras in 2002 and worked at IIT Bombay as CSIR JRF. In 2005, he was selected under the prestigious Monbukagakusho Japanese Government International Doctoral Fellowship and earned his PhD in molecular phylogenetics from MEXT, Japan in 2010. Dr. Felix received a number of international recognitions and underwent training from a number of institutions worldwide. In 2007 he underwent 2 months’ research and training at Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington with a fellowship from the National Science Foundation, USA. In 2009 and 2013, he underwent training at the Natural History Museum, London (2009) and the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth (2013), UK, Supported by International fellowships from British Phycological Society.  During 2018-19, he served as a guest scientist at the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany.

Dr. Felix Bast served as an invited in-residence intern with President of India as an “Inspired teacher” for one week at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi in 2015. He had been a recipient of “INSA-INSPIRE Faculty Award” from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India in 2012. Dr. Felix received “Teaching Innovator Award” from MHRD, Govt. of India in 2019. In 2018 he received prestigious NAM-Leibniz International Fellowship and underwent 3 months’ research as a guest scientist at Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung (ZMT), Bremen, Germany. In addition, he visited 27 countries for research works and dissemination of findings. He served as an elected national Core Committee representative of INYAS representing the discipline Biology and Medicine in 2020. In 2020 he was included in National COVID-19 Task-Force by INSA.

His major research contributions include the discovery of seven new species of marine algae and moss from the Indian coast and Antarctica, the discovery of endophytic algae from the Indian Ocean for the first time, and demystification of the blood rain phenomenon. He is the Principal Investigator of 16 research and teaching grants from agencies including UGC, DST, Ministry of Earth Sciences, ICSSR, and Indian Academy of Sciences, SERB, CSIR, Vigyan Prasar with a funding of 2.13 crore rupees. He has published 129 Scholarly publications with 8 books. Dr. Felix is actively involved in transdisciplinary research combining liberal arts with sciences. In 2014, he received a major research grant from ICSSR to work on linguistic phylogeny of Indian Languages and did pioneering studies on phylolinguistics of Dravidian and Indo-Aryan language families. He has guided 1 PostDoc, 17 PhDs (9 awarded), 15 M.Phil, 44 MSc and 1 international exchange fellow. In 2016 Dr. Felix undertook an expedition to Antarctica, and stayed at India’s research stations, Bharti and Maitri, as part of the Ministry of Earth Sciences “Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica-36” delegation from December 2016 to April 2017. 

For research-related works including training and dissemination, he had been to 27 countries worldwide, including Japan, US, Canada, UK, China, Thailand, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Kenya, Qatar, Kuwait, Spain, Portugal, Malaysia, Oman and Antarctica apart from his home country, India.

Dr. Felix is an early adopter of e-learning and involved with UGC e-PG pathshala and UGC SWAYAM MOOC. In 2020 one of the online courses that Dr. Bast has offered through UGC-Swayam has been ranked as the 7th best online course in the world . 

Felix Bast is a known science writer in India with his contributions regularly appearing in Resonance, Science Reporter, Dream 2047, The Hindu, Times of India and so on. He also writes popular science articles in Malayalam-his mother tongue, in magazines such as Shastra Keralam and Eureka. His 2019 book Voyage to Antarctica (published by Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) has received several critical acclaims. He is also involved with science education and popularization with a number of science outreach talks at local schools, libraries, colleges and universities. In 2010, Bast founded Felix Foundation (FF), a non-profit organisation. The foundation's major initiatives include donating popular science books to less fortunate government schools, popularization of science through community activities, talks, articles, etc. Bast also founded Young Academy of India, one of the largest science academies in the world. He regularly delivers outreach talks in person and via his YouTube channel. 

Dr. Bast is an outspoken advocate of organ donation. He has pledged a total organ donor through the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. He is regular blood, platelets and plasma donor, with blood donations on each birthday. Dr. Bast has also signed up for posthumous whole body donation for medical and forensic education and research. Dr. Bast has no car and never planning to own a car; he is an avid cyclist who regularly commutes to the university on cycle. He frequently conducts solo cycling tours, sometimes combined with social and environmental outreach activities, such as beach cleaning. He advocates a low carbon-footprint lifestyle which is environmentally conscious and sustainable.