Dr. Soumya Swaminathan is a pediatrician and global expert in tuberculosis and HIV research. She was the first Chief Scientist of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Previously, she was the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (2015-2017). Since February 2023, she has been the Chair of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). She is also the Principal Advisor to National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. With over 40 years of experience in clinical care and research, Dr. Swaminathan has dedicated her career to translating vital research into impactful health programs. As the former Secretary to the Government of India for Health Research, she has prioritised integrating science into health policy-making, enhancing research capabilities in Indian medical institutions, and fostering global partnerships in public health sciences. Currently, Dr. Swaminathan serves on the boards of Alliance Bioversity, Population Foundation of India, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Women Lift Health, among others. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Medicine and has received several honorary doctorates from prestigious universities.