Chennai: Former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan, who currently heads the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This honour is among the highest a scientist can receive globally, and Dr Soumya becomes only the second Indian woman to be inducted into the society, following Dr Gagandeep Kang, who was the first to receive the honour in 2019.
Career Highlights
Dr Soumya served as the director of the National Institute of Tuberculosis Research in Chennai before going on to become the director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and later the chief scientist at WHO. She played a pivotal role in shaping scientific responses to HIV, tuberculosis, and the Covid-19 pandemic, earning her a reputation as one of the world's most consequential and trusted public health scientists.
Recognition by Royal Society
The Royal Society recognised her pioneering research in paediatric tuberculosis, her role in establishing clinical translational medicine training programmes in India, and her work in vaccine development and immunisation policy. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on global health.
Congratulatory Messages
Scientists, policymakers, and public health officials across India have congratulated her on this remarkable achievement. Former Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) director general Raghunath Mashelkar said, "Very proud moment for Indian science — and for us Indians."
A Historic Father-Daughter Duo
Dr Soumya's father, the renowned agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan, was elected FRS in 1973. This makes them the first father-daughter duo from India to both be Fellows of the Royal Society, a testament to their extraordinary contributions to science.
