Gagandeep Kang becomes first Indian woman to win 2024 Canada Gairdner Global Health Award

Tags: Awards

On April 11, 2024, Gagandeep Kang, an Indian microbiologist and virologist, received the prestigious John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award from the Toronto-based Gairdner Foundation.

An Overview of the News

• Kang is the first Indian woman to be bestowed with this honor.

• Kang's recognition stemmed from her extensive cohort-based epidemiological, environmental, and clinical trial research on enteric diseases in children.

• Her work has had a significant impact on vaccine development and health policy in India and globally.

Background of Gagandeep Kang

• Kang serves as an adjunct professor at the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

• Additionally, she holds the position of Director of enteric diagnostics, genomics, and epidemiology at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

• Kang's contributions include playing a pivotal role in the development and introduction of two Indian rotavirus vaccines, Rotavac and Rotasiil, into the National Immunisation Program.

John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award

• This award is presented annually to researchers who have utilized rational, scientifically based research to improve the health and well-being of populations facing health inequities globally.

About the Canada Gairdner Awards

• Established in 1957 with a donation from philanthropist James A. Gairdner, the Gairdner Foundation is a non-profit organization that acknowledges outstanding achievements in biomedical research worldwide.

• The Canada Gairdner Awards have been presented annually since 1957 by the Gairdner Foundation.

• Recipients of these awards receive CDN 100,000 each along with a medal.