Dr Pragya Yadav bags Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award; becomes 1st woman among ICMR scientists to win

The Centre recently announced the first-ever ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’ in the field of science, technology, and innovation for scientists. The national award recognises outstanding and inspiring scientific, technological, and innovation contributions of researchers. The award ceremony will be held on August 23.

As many as 13 scientists won the Vigyan Shri Award, and 18 have bagged the Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards. Dr Yadav recalled efforts made during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Efforts were taken towards quick isolation of SARS-CoV2 virus from India which was utilised by Bharat Biotech International to generate the first indigenous vaccine (Covaxin),” Dr Yadav said. The scientists along with teams conducted pre-clinical studies for Covaxin that paved the way for the vaccine candidate further towards clinical trials.

For nearly two decades the scientist who left her home in UP to pursue a doctoral degree from Pune University and then join ICMR-NIV has played a key role in establishing the BioSafetyLevel (BSL-4) lab at the institute’s campus at Pashan.

Dr Yadav has contributed significantly to the understanding of emerging viral infections in India and her efforts led to the discovery of many novel viruses, quick investigation of viral outbreaks such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Kyasanur Forest Disease, Nipah, Zika virus, and mpox virus.

The virologist was involved in the development of novel diagnostic assays, transfer of technology for commercial production, sharing of diagnostic reagents with SEAR member states and towards preparedness of the public health system to deal with threats like Ebola, Yellow fever, SARS-CoV-2 and mpox in India.

“In April we conducted biosecurity training at ICMR-NIV. The training towards lab strengthening is important and part of future pandemic preparedness,” Dr Yadav added.