Soumya Swaminathan Biography 
Soumya Swaminathan is an Indian Pediatrician and Clinical Scientist known for her work in Tuberculosis. Most recently on 3 October 2017, she has been appointed as the Deputy Director General of Programmes at WHO by the Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Till then she has been working as Secretary at Department of Health Research - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. She also served as the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research. She is the daughter of great Indian scientist M. S. Swaminathan, known for his research work in agricultural sector and Green Revolution. Her mother Mina Swaminathan is an educationist and a leading name in the field of pre-school education.
She was born in Chennai on 2 May 1959. She was born into the family elite personalities, known for their contributions to research and education. Born as the child of M. S. Swaminathan and Mina Swaminathan, Soumya Swaminathan too made a name of her own in the field of medical science and research. She completed M.B.B.S. from Armed Forces Medical College and M.D. from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. After receiving a Diploma of National Board from National Board of Examinations, she received Post-Doctoral Medical Fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonology at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Southern California. She has two sisters - Madhura Swaminathan and Nithya Swaminathan, both into teaching profession.
She is a scientist renowned for her work in tuberculosis research. She worked as a research scientist in Chennai-based National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis since 1992. She is specialized in pediatric pulmonology. In 2015 she succeeded V.M. Katoch as director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and secretary, department of health research. In 2017 she was appointed her as the Deputy Director General of Programmes at World Health Organization.
Published: N/A
Updated: October 23, 2017
