Dr. Gagandeep Kang (Indian Virologist) known as the Vaccine Godmother of India, is an Indian Microbiologist and Virologist, who saved the lives of countless children through her work on infectious disease epidemiology, treatment & cure. She is known as the “Vaccine Godmother of India” due to her significant contributions to vaccine research and public health, particularly in the development and delivery of vaccines for infectious diseases like diarrhea in India.
In this article on Vita Tales, we will discuss inspiring journey of Prof. Gagandeep Kang Education, Dr. Gagandeep Kang family, husband, and other details including Gagandeep Kang Interview and Gagandeep Career.
Contents
- 1 Gagandeep Kang Education and Early Life
- 2 Gagandeep Kang Synoptical View
- 3 Medical Qualifications of Gagandeep Kang
- 4 Dr Gagandeep Kang Contributions to Science
- 5 Awards and Achievements of Dr Kang
- 6 Professional Achievements of Dr. Kang
- 7 Honorary Academic Positions
- 8 Dr Gagandeep Kang COVID 19 Research
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
Gagandeep Kang Education and Early Life
- Gagandeep Kang born on 3 November 1962 in Shimla . Her father Ranjit Singh Kang is a mechanical engineer in Indian Railways and her mother Jitender Kaur Kang was a teacher who taught English and history. Her mother played a significant role in Gagandeep’s career supporting her in her academics.
- Due to her father’s job nature, Virologist Gagandeep Kang changed schools 10 times as she grew up, frequently moving across North and Northeast India. Kang was a science enthusiast; she practiced science often at home during her childhood, experimenting with physics, biology, and chemistry.
- Professor Gagandeep Kang has taught medical students and trained researchers in microbiology, immunology, and public health.
Gagandeep Kang Synoptical View
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education | MBBS, MD – Christian Medical College, Vellore; PhD in Microbiology Phd from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry |
| Associations | International Advisory Board, Global Health Centre (since 2020); Board Member, CEPI (2018–2023) Global Health Scientific Advisory Committee, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Death/Age | 61 years old (as of 2024) |
| Nicknames | – |
| Epithets | – |
| Prominent Achievements | Second Indian woman elected Fellow of the Royal Society First Indian and woman editor of Manson’s Textbook of Tropical Medicine; Infosys Prize in Life Sciences winner |
| Height | – |
| Hometown | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Religion | – |
| Gagandeep Kang Twitter | @GKangInd |
| Gagandeep Kang LinkedIn | Gagandeep Kang |
| Gagandeep Kang Email | gagandeep.kang@gatesfoundation.org |
| Gagandeep Kang Contact | +1-206-604-33-84 |
Medical Qualifications of Gagandeep Kang
Gagandeep Kang Education laid the groundwork for her work in public health, vaccine development, and infectious diseases. Here are the details of her Medical qualifications.
- She completed her MBBS, MD, and PhD from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Here are Gagandeep Kang Education details.
| MBBS | She earned her MBBS degree from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore |
| MD in Microbiology | She pursued an MD in Microbiology from the same institution, Christian Medical College, Vellore. |
| PhD in Microbiology | She later completed her PhD in medicine from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry. |
Medical Training and Specialization
- Medical Training and Specialization of Dr Gagandeep Kang involved earning a Ph.D. in addition to her MBBS and MD in Microbiology medical degree. All these degrees and her work experience allowed her to conduct advanced research in the field of medicine.
- Kang specializes in the field of enteric infections and vaccinology, conducting research on rotavirus and other diarrheal diseases.
Dr Gagandeep Kang Contributions to Science
Dr Gagandeep’s research majorly includes Rotavirus Research, Enteric Infections, and Gut Health. She was also honored and awarded by Fellow of the Royal Society, the Indian National Award for Women Bioscientists, and others. Below are the details of some of his work:
Focus on Diarrheal Diseases and Public Health
- Worked on diarrheal diseases and public health in India since the early 1990s.
- He made his important contribution to rotavirus epidemiology and vaccinology in India.
Research Focus Areas
- Specializes in vaccines, enteric infections, and nutrition in young children from disadvantaged communities.
- Combines field epidemiology with laboratory investigations to inform both science and policy in India.
Key Findings on Rotavirus
- Demonstrated the high burden of rotavirus across India.
- Studied the genetic diversity of viruses and the lower protection from infection and vaccines.
- Explored methods to improve the performance of oral vaccines.
| What is Rotavirus Research Rotavirus Research is the study of a virus, which makes children very sick with diseases like diarrhea. It aims to treat it by finding solutions to prevent it from spreading. Some key areas of this research are Epidemiology, Virology, Immunology, Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention. |
Development of Rotavac Vaccine
- Played a crucial role in developing Rotavac, a vaccine for diarrhea from Bharat Biotech.
- One of the three principal investigators in Phase III clinical trials of Rotavac.
- Established vaccine assays for rotavirus infections, contributing to the success of Rotavac testing.
Awards and Achievements of Dr Kang
- Second Indian Woman Scientist Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
- Dr Kang became the second Indian woman to receive this prestigious honor in the 359-year history of the Royal Society.
- Ninth Woman to be Awarded the Infosys Prize
- She is the ninth woman to receive the Infosys Prize, a prestigious award recognizing exceptional research and achievement.
- She became the 1st Indian and First Woman to Edit Manson’s Textbook of Tropical Medicine
- Dr Kang made history by being the first Indian and the first woman to edit this important medical textbook.
List of Awards and Honours
| Year | Awards and Honours |
|---|---|
| 1998-1999 | Dr P.N. Berry Fellowship |
| 2005 | Lourdu Yedanapalli Award for Excellence in Research |
| 2006 | Woman Bioscientist of the Year |
| 2016 | Infosys Prize in Life Sciences |
| 2019 | Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) |
| 2024 | Canada Gairdner Global Health Award |
Professional Achievements of Dr. Kang
Dr. Gagandeep Kang is known as India’s “Vaccine Godmother” due to her significant contributions. Some of the Gagandeep Kang contributions to science have been critical ones towards rotavirus, which is one of the biggest killers of young children. She was the leader of research efforts that contributed to the creation of two WHO-prequalified adult and paediatric vaccines, Rotavac and Rotasiil, adapted to India. She is the Dr. Gagandeep Kang COVID researcher who helped India in the COVID vaccine development process and acted as an advisor to WHO SAGE Working Group on COVID-19 Vaccines. Dr. Career awards and honours Gagandeep Kang has published more than 300 papers (her gagandeep kang google scholar page) and won the Infosys Prize in Life Sciences (2016), and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2019, at which point she became the first Indian woman to receive the honour. Some other awards given to gagandeep kang are Padma Shri, Woman Bioscientist of the Year (2006), and 2024 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award. She also came to edit Manson Textbook of Tropical Medicine as a first Indian woman. Here are some of her works:
Publications and Editorial Roles
- Published over 300 scientific papers.
- Serves or has served on editorial boards for journals like PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, and Tropical Medicine and International Health.
Committee and Advisory Roles
Gagandeep Kang Served on multiple national and international review committees for research funding. Here is the list of her work:
- India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
- WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety.
- Chair of WHO SEAR’s Regional Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (2015–present).
Other Roles of Dr. Kang
- Member of the Global Health Scientific Advisory Committee.
- Member of the International Advisory Board since 2020 of Global Health Centre, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.
- Served as a Board Member from 2018 to 2023 of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Honorary Academic Positions
She has worked on more than 300 publications (available through gagandeep kang google scholar) and helped to push the policy on global health in regard to vaccine efficacy, sanitation and nutrition. In terms of her active involvement in the field of health, her 18 years long community clinics services in underserved locations that offered free healthcare and tracked rotavirus demonstrated her dedication to care about peoples health on the community level.
- Associate faculty member at Johns Hopkins University Bloomb+erg School of Public Health, USA.
- Adjunct professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, USA.
Dr Gagandeep Kang COVID 19 Research
- Since 2020, ex-officio member of WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts working group on COVID-19 vaccines.
- Contributed to India’s efforts in producing a coronavirus vaccine.
A brilliant career path of Dr. Gagandeep Kang portrays that she was committed to turn the life of a child in the low-income society towards saving lives. An Indian virologist Gagandeep Kang’s headship in the area of the vaccine has minimized the burden of diseases such as the rotavirus, cholera and typhoid. She has shifted to Gagandeep Kang Gates Foundation, which increases her global influence, now she can become an icon of future scientists and the real Vaccine Godmother of India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Gagandeep?
Dr. Gagandeep Kang is an Indian Microbiologist and Virologist, who saved the lives of countless children through her work on infectious disease epidemiology, treatment & cure.
What is the Contribution of Dr Gagandeep Kang?
The contribution of Dr Gagandeep Kang majorly includes Rotavirus Research, Enteric Infections, and Gut Health.
What is the Education Qualification of Dr Gagandeep Kang?
The education qualification of Dr Gagandeep Kang is MBBS, MD from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and PhD from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry.
