Soumya Swaminathan, a pediatrician and global expert in tuberculosis and HIV research, recently served as WHO’s Chief Scientist and previously as Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (2015-2017). She assumed the role of Chairperson at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in February 2023. She is also the Principal Advisor to National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

With over 40 years of experience in clinical care and research, Dr. Swaminathan has dedicated her career to translating research into impactful health programs. As Secretary to the Government of India for Health Research, her efforts were focused on integrating science into health policy-making, enhancing research capabilities in Indian medical institutions, and fostering global partnerships in health sciences.

Dr. Swaminathan received her academic training in India, the UK, and the USA, and has authored over 480 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. She is a Fellow of the US National Academy of Medicine, the Academy of Medical Sciences (UK), and all major science academies in India. She holds honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions including Karolinska Institute, EPFL Lausanne, and the McGill University, London. She currently co-chairs a global commission “Our Common Air” and serves on the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security.  She holds adjunct professorships at Karolinska University (Sweden) and Tufts University (USA).

Currently, Dr. Swaminathan serves on the boards of Alliance Bioversity, Population Foundation of India, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and Women Lift Health, among others. She is a member of the Governing Council of the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission, member of One Health and Climate Change Strategic Committee, Government of Tamil Nadu and Chairs the Scientific Advisory Board of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

During her tenure as WHO’s first Chief Scientist, Dr. Swaminathan established the Science Division focusing on research, quality assurance of norms and standards, and digital health. She played a pivotal role in coordinating global scientific efforts and was instrumental in setting up Covax to ensure equitable vaccine distribution to Low and Middle-Income Countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her current focus is on addressing the health impacts of climate change, especially on women and children and food system transformations to strengthen nutrition security in India and regionally.