Scott and Stephen Rothman. This education not only enhanced his knowledge of dermatology but also stood him in good stead in his professional career as a teacher in dermatology.

Gopinathan did a significant piece of research work on the "Physiology of the Skin with special reference to Vitiligo" under his Supervisor Dr. Eugene J Van Scott (NIH) and was awarded a Master of Science (MS) degree in 1961. This study, one of the earliest research projects on autologous human vitiliginous skin transplant, was published in the Archives of Dermatology in 1965.

Gopinathan returned to India and joined the Calicut Medical College as an Assistant Professor in 1961. This was the first Dermatology Department in the state headed by a full-time qualified dermatovenereologist. In the meantime in 1961, Dr. Gopinathan marriedRema, and the couple was blessed with two sons and a daughter.

The early days in Calicut Medical College were difficult indeed. There was a single bench for patients to sit on, and a chair and a stool for the doctors. Besides Dr. Gopinathan, there was a lone house surgeon. The bench had to be converted from time to time into an examination couch for patients to lie down!!!

From this basic position, the department grew from strength to strength. With the help of dedicated colleagues, Dr. Gopinathan was able to raise the department to an all India level fit to start postgraduate studies.

While in Calicut Medical College, he went on to be trained at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, under Prof. K. C. Khandari. This