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International Day of Women & Girls in Science Inspires Future STEM Leaders

Published on: February 5, 2025

The Himalayan School of Science & Technology commemorated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11th February 2025, embracing the theme “2025: Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science.” The event opened with a solemn Lamp Lighting Ceremony attended by dignitaries, symbolizing the quest for knowledge and enlightenment. Dr. Sadhana Srivastava, Member of URAB and Former Scientist G at ICMR, delivered a powerful address emphasizing the vital role of women in STEM fields, highlighting that women currently occupy only 28% of STEM-related jobs worldwide.

Dr. Srivastava stressed the importance of gender-inclusive workplace policies, leadership opportunities, and mentorship programs to empower women scientists. She highlighted key initiatives such as the SERB-POWER Fellowship, which supports high-impact women-led research, and the DST Women Scientist Scheme, designed to assist women re-entering research after career breaks. Additionally, she spoke about the Atal Innovation Mission’s efforts to nurture scientific curiosity among young girls through tinkering labs and mentorship. Her message encouraged aspiring women scientists to pursue their goals with determination and confidence.

The event aimed to promote gender equality in STEM by showcasing women’s contributions and addressing the challenges they face, while inspiring female students to explore scientific careers. With 85 participants, the program fostered a supportive academic atmosphere emphasizing equal participation and leadership for women in research and innovation.

Overall, the celebration successfully raised awareness about the critical role of women in science, honored their achievements, and motivated the next generation of female scientists to make impactful contributions in STEM fields.

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.