With all of their achievements, Indian women scientists are not often honored. 2014 saw the launch of an Indian spacecraft into orbit around the planet by ISRO, making India the first country in history to reach Mars on a single mission. The fact that eight women scientists were in charge of this mission was only discovered after the government recognized this amazing success.
Asking most of us to name a female scientist, we can all think of Marie Curie, but we cannot think of any Indian women scientists. Let us take this opportunity to give respect to the Indian woman scientist who achieved several amazing achievements in every challenge.
Ten Indian female scientists who defied the male-dominated field of study and shown to be true experts are listed below:
1. Kalpana Chawla
The Indian symbol of dedication and determination, Kalpana Chawla, was born in Karnal, Haryana, on March 17, 1962. She dreamed of being a star at a young age, having grown up in a respectful home. Chawla's journey to the greatest reaches of space from her respectful Haryana beginnings is proof of her constant loyalty and passion for exploration.
She gained degrees in aircraft engineering from Punjab Engineering College and the University of Texas due to her study, opening the path for her remarkable career in the aerospace sector.
In 1997, Kalpana Chawla achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman of Indian heritage to journey into space. She was selected to work as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia, which carried her out of Earth's atmosphere and into the endless universe, realizing a childhood fantasy. However, Chawla's journey was not without its challenges.
As a female astronaut, she faced discrimination and assumptions based on her gender, but she occupied them with decency and determination, showcasing her skills and inspiring a vast number of people across the globe. Kalpana Chawla's inspirational impact remains an indicator of her desire and self-assurance.
Her contributions to space exploration inspire the next generation of astronauts to reach new heights and demonstrate to us all that anything is achievable with courage and determination.
2. Vijaylaxmi Ravindranath
Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath earned her PhD in biochemistry from Mysore University in 1981 and her B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Andhra University while working at the Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI). She served as a Research Associate at the National Cancer Institute in the United States from 1982 to 1985 after returning to India.
After that, she started working at Bangalore's National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). She continued to work at NIMHANS until 2000 when she was appointed as the National Brain Research Center's (NBRC) inaugural director. The NBRC is a distinct organization housed inside the Department of Biotechnology.
Professor Ravindranath has won many prizes, including the KP Bhargava Medal of the Sciences (2001), the Om Prakash Bhasin Award for Science & Technology (2001), and the SS Bhatnagar Award for Medical Sciences (1996).
3. Sunetra Gupta
Sunetra Gupta is a well-known scientist, essayist, and novelist. In recognition of her contributions to science, the Royal Society granted her the 2009 Rosalind Franklin Award. Sunetra is a professor of theoretical epidemiology at Oxford University's Department of Zoology. She resides in Oxford with her husband and two daughters.
She earned her PhD from the University of London in 1992 after graduating from Princeton University in 1987. Sunetra, who was born in Calcutta in 1965, first released her novels in Bengali. She is an outstanding translator of poems by Rabindranath Tagore.
4. Rohini Godbole
The 1974 silver medallist from IIT Bombay, Rohini Godbole, has made significant contributions to fundamental research, especially to the theory of fundamental particle physics.
She earned her doctorate from SUNY Stony Brook in the United States, and from 1982 to 1995, she was employed as a reader and lecturer in the Physics Department of the University of Bombay. In addition, she spent time at TIFR between 1979–1982.
At the Centre for Theoretical Studies at IISc Bangalore, Godbole was appointed Associate Professor in 1995 and Professor in June 1998. She was the Center's chairperson from August 1996 to March 2002.
Godbole has had a major impact on many different aspects of the Standard Model as well as Beyond the Standard Model philosophy. Her work has been significant in studying the structure of the nucleus, electron, and proton.
Second, research has primarily focused on developing theoretical models and strategies for creating new particles in high-energy colliders. She is the author of more than 150 research publications, some of which have some of the greatest circulation indexes in their discipline.
She was elected to both the Indian National Science Academy and the National Academy of Sciences, which has helped her reputation. The IAU and IUPAP Joint National Committee recently appointed her. The efforts to imagine the future generation of newspaper experiments is one in which she is now involved and a leading worldwide organizer, as it is essential for closing numerous gaps in our knowledge forces of nature.
5. Minal Sampat
Minal Sampat was born in Rajkot, India. Although Rohit had always wanted to become a doctor, a TV space program in class eight caused her to change her mind. She saw in school that her female peers who chose careers in science did it mainly for prospective compensation rather than for the search for knowledge. Minal Sampath is a systems engineer who worked on India's Mars mission.
As a satellite communications engineer, she started her career with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Later, she became the sole employee of the Space Application Center, where she made significant contributions to the development of the Mars Orbiter Mission. She received the ISRO Young Scientist Merit Award in 2013.
6. Shubha Tole
Shubha Tole works as a neuroscientist in Mumbai at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Praise for her innovative work on the evolution of the brain in the early embryo includes the Infosys Prize and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, to name just two honors.
Professor Tole is a passionate advocate for female scientists and increased understanding of mental health issues in higher education. Using her background as a senior scientist, legislator, and role model, she actively engages in scientific engagement that inspires the next generation of scientists.
7. SUDHA BHATTACHARYA
The work of Sudha Bhattacharya, an elected member of the Indian National Science Academy, the National Academy of Sciences, and a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University's (JNU) School of Environmental Sciences, has been extremely beneficial to molecular parasitology (2014).
Her outstanding research on the parasite Entamoeba histolytica has led to innovative findings in the domains of regulation of genes and parasite biology.
Bhattacharya has received multiple scholarships and awards, including recognition from the Indian Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, India, as a result of her broad appreciation of her work.
8. NIGAR SHAJI
Indian aerospace engineer Nigar Shaji has been instrumental in the country's space research endeavors since joining ISRO in 1987. However, she managed India's first solar mission, the Aditya-L1 project.
Her 35-year career at ISRO serves as evidence of her extensive professional background. On Resourcesat-2A, a crucial Indian remote sensing satellite used for tracking and handling national resources, she served as Associate Project Director.
She holds a bachelor's degree in electronics and communication as well as a master's degree in electronics from BIT Ranchi. Shaji's aspirations highlight her essential part in India's space missions and her constant commitment to furthering the nation's space exploration efforts.
The significance of women and girls in science in India cannot be underestimated. They have set an example for the rest of the globe to follow and motivated the nation to continue working toward scientific greatness through their dedication, determination, and creativity.
9. TESSY THOMAS
Tessy Thomas, known as the "Missile Woman of India," had a significant role in the country's nuclear missile defense system. She is proud to be the first female scientist to lead a missile project in India and has made significant contributions to the field of aerospace engineering.
Thomas has received recognition for her outstanding contributions to the field from publications like The Scientist and the MIT Technology Review, among others. She has also won several awards. India's defense capabilities have progressed largely due to her exceptional leadership and expertise.
10. GAGANDEEP KANG
In 2019, famous scientist Gagandeep Kang made history by being chosen as the first female Indian member of the Royal Society. Her innovative study focuses on rotaviral vaccination trials and other viral infections affecting children.
Kang chairs the WHO SEAR's Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group and has authored over 300 scientific research articles.
She received other accolades in addition to the prestigious Infosys Prize in Life Sciences in 2016, which came with memberships in highly regarded organizations like the Royal College of Pathologists and the Indian National Science Academy.
Conclusion
Promoting innovation and advancement needs a fresh viewpoint on the field from female experts. Their unique backgrounds and experiences allow them to approach scientific challenges in different ways, leading to discoveries and advances. Our quality of life has been enhanced and a bright future has been made possible by their research, creations, inventions, and discoveries.
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