• Home
  • Media Events
  • Report on Guest Lecture: Conducting High-Impact Research for Societal Change

Report on Guest Lecture: Conducting High-Impact Research for Societal Change

Published on: February 4, 2025

On 4th February 2025, the Department of Clinical Research at Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, organized a guest lecture titled “Conducting High-Impact Research for Societal Change.” The session was held at the Training and Development Cell, HIMS, and attended by 31 students. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Pradeep K. Varshney, who shared valuable insights on how academic research and innovation can drive meaningful societal progress.

Dr. Varshney opened the lecture by highlighting the growing role of India in global innovation, referencing the Global Innovation Index. He explained how advancements in technology, healthcare, and education are key contributors to societal development. The lecture stressed the importance of aligning research efforts with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to tackle pressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and clean energy.

A key focus of the lecture was the distinction between basic and applied research. Dr. Varshney clarified that while basic research expands theoretical knowledge, applied research seeks practical solutions to real-world problems. Both types of research are essential for driving societal change and sustainable development.

Ethical standards in research were emphasized as fundamental for maintaining transparency, integrity, and respect for participants. Dr. Varshney underlined that upholding ethics not only strengthens the credibility of research but also enhances its social impact.

The lecture concluded by emphasizing the broader impact of quality research beyond academic circles. Dr. Varshney explained that impactful research has the power to influence policy decisions, improve societal well-being, and contribute to a better, sustainable future. Students were inspired to pursue research with a purpose—to create innovations and solutions that lead to real, positive change in society, rather than focusing solely on academic publications.

This insightful session motivated participants to adopt a socially conscious approach to research, encouraging them to become agents of transformative progress through high-impact, ethical, and goal-oriented research.

Picture9
Picture10
   Admissions Form         

Admission Open For 2025

×
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.