Indian-origin scientists are at the forefront of biological research, with many establishing groundbreaking careers in the United States. Their academic paths are as diverse as their contributions, spanning prestigious institutions globally and influencing disciplines like genetics, immunology, biochemistry, and plant biology.
These biologists have consistently delivered monumental discoveries, from cracking the genetic code to advancing stem cell research. Below, we delve into the lives and significant achievements of six such Indian-origin biologists, highlighting their educational backgrounds and key accomplishments.
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
Born in 1952 in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan was raised in a family deeply rooted in science; his father led a biochemistry department in India, and his mother held a PhD in psychology from McGill University. After his early education in India, Ramakrishnan moved to the US for postdoctoral research at Yale University. Despite initial challenges in securing a faculty position—applying to roughly 50 universities—he dedicated over a decade to Brookhaven National Laboratory before becoming a professor at the University of Utah. Since 1999, Ramakrishnan has been a pivotal group leader at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK. His seminal work on the structure and function of ribosomes earned him a share of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, a testament to his profound understanding of protein synthesis.
Har Gobind Khorana
Har Gobind Khorana, born on January 9, 1922, in Raipur, a village in Punjab, British India, hailed from a family that deeply valued education despite limited means. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Punjab University, Lahore, before pursuing a PhD at the University of Liverpool and postdoctoral studies at ETH Zurich. Initially unable to find suitable employment in India, Khorana ventured abroad, eventually making North America his home. He held positions at the University of British Columbia and later the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where his groundbreaking research helped decipher how nucleic acid nucleotides determine the genetic code. This monumental achievement led to his receiving the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Khorana concluded his illustrious career at MIT, leaving an enduring legacy in biochemistry and genetics upon his passing in 2011.
Inder Verma
Inder Mohan Verma, born on November 28, 1947, in Sangrur, Punjab, India, obtained his PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. He further honed his expertise through postdoctoral research at MIT under Nobel laureate David Baltimore before joining the Salk Institute in California in 1974. Progressing to a professorship and later serving as editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Verma made crucial contributions to cancer biology, immunology, and gene therapy. His work led to the identification of several oncogenes, such as c-fos, and the development of viral vectors for gene transfer, which are fundamental to modern gene therapy. Despite his significant scientific impact, Verma’s career was later marred by controversy stemming from allegations of gender discrimination, prompting his resignation from key roles.
Utpal Banerjee
Born in 1957, Utpal Banerjee commenced his academic journey in India, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and a Master of Science in physical chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He completed his PhD and subsequent postdoctoral research at the California Institute of Technology. Joining UCLA in 1988, Banerjee swiftly rose through the academic ranks, becoming a full professor and department chair. His research primarily explores genetics, developmental biology, and stem cell biology. Banerjee holds a joint appointment at the David Geffen School of Medicine and co-directs the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center. His contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including election to the US National Academy of Sciences and the esteemed NIH Director’s Pioneer Award.
Shruti Naik
Shruti Naik, who moved to the US from India at age twelve, completed her undergraduate studies in cell and molecular biology at the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University. Currently an Associate Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Naik’s interdisciplinary research investigates how the immune system maintains tissue health and responds to inflammation. Her laboratory seamlessly integrates immunology, microbiology, and stem cell biology to develop deeper understandings and new treatments for inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. She has been honored with multiple awards, including the Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation and the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award.
Venkatesan Sundaresan
Born in 1952, Venkatesan Sundaresan started his higher education in physics, earning degrees from the University of Poona and the Indian Institute of Technology. He then pursued graduate studies in the US, achieving a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a PhD in biophysics from Harvard University. At the University of California, Davis, Sundaresan’s research is dedicated to plant reproduction and enhancing crop yields, particularly through synthetic apomixis—a method aimed at cloning hybrid strains of vital commercial crops like rice and maize. His exceptional contributions led to his induction into the US National Academy of Sciences in 2023 and the prestigious Wolf Prize in Agriculture in 2024.