Professor Ravi Ravindran was internationally recognised as one of the world's leading poultry scientists and a distinguished scholar whose research transformed poultry science and animal nutrition. His pioneering work advanced poultry production globally while helping establish New Zealand as a world leader in chicken meat production efficiency. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, before completing both his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Nutrition at Virginia Tech, USA. During his distinguished academic career, he held teaching and research appointments in Sri Lanka, Canada, the United States and Australia. Prior to moving to New Zealand in 1998, he served as Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney's Camden campus from 1994 to 1998.

Upon joining Massey University in 1998 as Senior Poultry Scientist and Director of the Poultry Research Centre, Professor Ravindran established an internationally renowned research programme in poultry nutrition. In recognition of his outstanding academic achievements, he was promoted to Professor of Poultry Science in 2004. Throughout his career, Professor Ravindran led comprehensive research programmes addressing key nutritional challenges facing the global poultry industry. His work focused on improving nutrient utilisation, enhancing feed efficiency and reducing nutrient losses to the environment, thereby contributing to more productive and sustainable animal agriculture. Among his most influential scientific achievements was the refinement of ileal-based assays for determining amino acid digestibility in poultry. This methodology has since become the international standard used in laboratories worldwide. He subsequently extended these assays to measure phosphorus and calcium digestibility, representing world-first advances in poultry nutrition research. Professor Ravindran also made pioneering contributions to feed enzyme technology, particularly the understanding and application of microbial phytase. These innovations have generated lasting benefits for the global feed and poultry industries by improving nutrient availability, reducing feed costs and minimising environmental impacts.

Professor Ravindran's scholarly contributions were exceptional. He authored more than 550 scientific publications, including over 280 peer-reviewed journal articles, six books, and 36 book chapters. His work has been cited more than 20,400 times, achieving an h-index of 76, an outstanding measure of scientific impact within the agricultural and animal sciences. In 2012, the Council of Canadian Academies recognised him as the author of one of the most highly cited papers in the field of poultry science, reflecting the global influence of his research. His outstanding contributions were recognised through numerous prestigious national and international honours, including the BioKyowa Amino Acid Award (1999), American Feed Industry Nutrition Award (2011), JM Bell Fellowship, Canada (2012), Massey University Individual College Award (2015), McMeekan Memorial Award (2015), Massey University Research Medal (2017), New Zealand Poultry Industry Award (2018), Asian Agribiz Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) and a second Massey University Research Medal (2022).

Beyond his research achievements, Professor Ravindran made outstanding contributions to the international scientific community through editorial leadership. He served as Section or Associate Editor for five leading international journals, was a member of the editorial boards of three additional journals, and edited more than 40 conference proceedings.

Professor Ravindran was equally passionate about education and mentorship. He supervised 20 doctoral and 19 master's students, many of whom have gone on to become successful academics, researchers and industry leaders around the world. He played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of poultry scientists through postgraduate supervision, undergraduate teaching and the generous sharing of his knowledge with colleagues, collaborators and industry professionals.

Following his retirement in 2021 after an outstanding 38-year academic career, Professor Ravindran remained closely connected to Massey University. He continued to mentor postgraduate students, advise academic staff, contribute to professional development programmes and support ongoing research projects. His commitment to science and education never diminished, and he remained an invaluable source of wisdom, guidance and encouragement to those around him.

Professor Ravindran rendered distinguished and meritorious service to both the New Zealand and international poultry industries. He was widely admired not only for his remarkable scientific achievements, but also for his humility, generosity, integrity and unwavering dedication to mentoring others. His influence extends far beyond his publications, living on through the many students, researchers and industry professionals whose careers were shaped by his guidance and whose work continues to build upon his extraordinary legacy.

He will be remembered with deep respect, gratitude and admiration by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.