Dr. Soumya Swaminathan

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan is the Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO). A paediatrician by qualification, she has worked in research on tuberculosis and HIV for 30 years and was previously Secretary to the Government of India for Health Research and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Dr Soumya joined WHO as the Deputy Director General (DDG) in 2017 becoming the first Indian to hold that post. She has a keen interest in promoting research on public health priorities and strengthening health research capacity in countries including on ethics. A firm believer in the power of technology, she advocates accelerating its access to improve health.