International Day of Girls in Science: 5 Indian Women Who Changed the Direction of Scientific History

India has a rich heritage of architecture, we were the inventors of ‘Zero’ and the decimal system. In a journey to a world of discoveries and a sustainable, developed future, Indian women have emerged as exemplary in many fields. Science is one of many. On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, here are some women who have made our country proud with their contribution in the field of science, innovation and development.

Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi

Anandibai was the first woman from India to graduate with a two-year degree in Western medicine in the United States. She is also the first Indian female doctor. She was married at the age of 9, and had her first child at the age of 14, who later died. The pain she faced as a young mother prompted her to take medicine. She studied at the Women’s Medical College in Pennsylvania in 1886; It was the first women’s medical program worldwide.

Dr Indira Hinduja

Dr. Hinduja is an Indian gynecologist, obstetrician and infertility specialist who developed the gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) technique, which led to the first birth of a GIFT child in 1988. He holds a doctorate degree in Human In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer. Bombay University, and she also delivered India’s first test-tube baby. His advances in science were credited with developing an oocyte donation technique for menopausal and premature ovarian failure patients, making the nation the first child out of the technology on January 24, 1991.

Kamal Ranadive

Ranadive was a visionary in cancer research who was the first to identify the relationship between cancer susceptibility and viruses. She published a report on the relationship between breast cancer and heredity that led to the most developments in cancer research. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, in 1982 for his contribution to the field of medicine. He is also responsible for setting up the country’s first tissue culture research laboratory at the Indian Cancer Research Center.

Asima Chatterjee

Chatterjee is an exceptional Indian organic chemist who graduated in chemistry from the Scottish Church College, University of Calcutta in 1936. His research on vinca alkaloids (derived from periwinkle known for its anti-cancer properties) is well-known in many fields. She investigated the chemistry of almost all major types of indole alkaloids and was the first to suggest the stereo-configuration of serpentin. He also elucidated the structure of luwangetin isolated from Luwanga scandens. For his exemplary work, he was awarded the CV Raman Award, PC Ray Award and SS Bhatnagar Award.

Janaki Ammalo

Ammal, the first Indian scientist to be awarded the Padma Shri award in 1977, occupied the coveted post of Director General of the Botanical Survey of India. He received an Honors degree in Botany from Presidency College in 1921. He conducted scientific research in cytogenetics – a branch of genetics that deals with how chromosomes can be related to cell behavior and phylogeny – related to the geographic distribution of plant species. Ammal’s most famous work is sugarcane and brinjal.