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Dr Soumya Swaminathan Elected Fellow of Royal Society; MP Kanimozhi Hails Historic Achievement.
SimpliCity News Team · 20 May 2026
Chennai: Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO) and former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished scientific institutions.
The honour marks a significant milestone for Indian science, with Dr Soumya Swaminathan becoming only the second Indian woman scientist to be elected to the Royal Society in its 365-year history. She also becomes part of India’s first father-daughter duo to receive the distinction, alongside her father, Bharat Ratna Prof M.S. Swaminathan.
An internationally acclaimed public health expert, Dr Swaminathan has played a pivotal role in advancing healthcare systems, medical research and global public health policy, particularly in the fight against tuberculosis, HIV and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Congratulatory messages have been pouring in from across the world following the historic announcement, with several political leaders and public figures praising her achievement.
DMK Women’s Wing President and Member of Parliament Kanimozhi also congratulated Dr Soumya Swaminathan on the recognition.
In her congratulatory message, Kanimozhi said, “Congratulations to Dr. Soumya Swaminathan on being elected Fellow of the Royal Society. She is only the second Indian woman scientist in the Royal Society’s 365-year history to receive this recognition. A respected public health expert, her contributions have strengthened healthcare systems and inspired people.”
Soumya SwaminathanRoyal SocietyWHOKanimozhiDMKIndian scientistwomen in sciencepublic healthtuberculosis researchCOVID-19fellowshiprecognition
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