PAFMATCON 2024-25

Published on: March 22, 2025

PAFMATCON 2024-25: 22nd Annual Conference of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology held at SRHU

The 22nd Annual Conference of the Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (PAFMATCON 2024-25) was successfully held on March 21st and 22nd, 2025, at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun. This year’s conference conducted in a hybrid format, was organized by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, drawing around 300 delegates from across the country.

The conference was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Guest, Dr. Vijay Dhasmana, President of Swami Rama Himalayan University. Dr. D.S. Bhullar, a distinguished figure in the field, graced the event as the Guest of Honour. Alongside them, the dais was occupied by other eminent dignitaries, including Dr. Rajiv Joshi, President of PAFMAT, and Dr. Satinder Pal Singh, General Secretary of PAFMAT.

In the days leading up to the main conference, pre-conference workshops were held on March 18th, 19th, and 20th, covering various topics of great interest to the forensic medicine and toxicology community. These workshops provided valuable learning opportunities for participants and were facilitated by experts in the field.

The conference itself featured a series of invited lectures by eminent experts, offering deep insights into the latest developments in the subject. Additionally, there were engaging panel discussions, as well as scientific paper and poster presentations by faculty members, postgraduate, and undergraduate students. A notable highlight of the event was the Moot Court competition, which allowed participants to showcase their skills in a simulated medico-legal setting.

Dr. Sanjoy Das, Organizing Chairperson of PAFMATCON 2024-25, expressed his gratitude to all the esteemed delegates and participants and to the Swami Rama Himalayan University for the unwavering support. Dr. Harvinder Singh Chhabra, the Organizing Secretary, also thanked the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers who made the conference a resounding success.

A special moment of the event was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Gurmanjit Rai Maan, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. Additionally, the Fellowship of PAFMAT was awarded to Dr. Akash Deep Aggarwal, while the Young Forensic Medicine Expert Award was conferred on Dr. Harvinder Singh Chhabra, celebrating his exemplary work in the field.

The conference also provided a dynamic platform for professionals and academics in the field to discuss emerging trends, best practices, and challenges facing the discipline. The hybrid format ensured greater inclusivity, allowing participants from all over the country to join the discussions and presentations.

The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, is dedicated to providing cutting-edge education, research, and training, and the university continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Forensic Medicine in India.

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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.