In a historic moment for Indian academia, a Pune-based scientific couple has achieved what no other married pair has accomplished before in the 113-year history of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. Dr. Shekhar C. Mande and Dr. Sharmila M. Mande have been jointly honored with the institute's prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, marking the first time a husband-wife duo has received this recognition simultaneously.
A Legacy of Scientific Excellence
Both recipients have established remarkable careers in their respective fields of biological research. Dr. Shekhar Mande, former Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has made significant contributions to structural biology and protein biochemistry. His groundbreaking work on mycobacterial proteins has advanced our understanding of tuberculosis and other diseases.
Dr. Sharmila Mande, currently serving as Chief Scientific Officer at Tata Medical and Diagnostics, has pioneered research in bioinformatics and computational biology. Her innovative work focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze gut microbiome data, opening new frontiers in healthcare and disease understanding.
From IISc Halls to Global Recognition
The couple's journey began at IISc Bangalore, where they both earned their PhDs in the 1990s. Their parallel paths in scientific research have consistently demonstrated excellence, with both researchers maintaining strong connections to their alma mater throughout their distinguished careers.
What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy:
- First married couple to receive the award together in IISc's century-plus history
- Both researchers have made independent, significant contributions to science
- Their work represents complementary areas of biological research
- They continue to mentor young scientists and contribute to India's research ecosystem
A Message to Aspiring Scientists
This dual recognition serves as an inspiration to young researchers, particularly women in science, demonstrating that scientific excellence and personal partnerships can flourish together. The Mande couple's achievement breaks new ground in how we perceive scientific collaborations and family partnerships in the research community.
The Distinguished Alumni Award, instituted by IISc, recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and society at large. The simultaneous recognition of both Dr. Shekhar and Dr. Sharmila Mande adds a new chapter to the institute's rich legacy of producing world-class scientists who drive innovation and scientific progress globally.
