Google Doodle celebrates 104th birth anniversary of Indian cell biologist Dr Kamal Ranadive

Ranadive, along with 11 of her colleagues, founded the Indian Association of Women Scientists (IWSA) to support women in scientific fields. Google has dedicated a special doodle to commemorate the 104th birthday of Indian cell biologist Dr Kamal Ranadive.

Dr. Ranadive is known for his groundbreaking cancer research. She is also known for her devotion to building a more equitable society through science and education.

New Delhi: Google on Monday (November 8, 2021) dedicated a special doodle to Indian cell biologist Dr Kamal Ranadive on his 104th birth anniversary. The global search engine celebrated Ranadive’s birthday as she is known for her phenomenal cancer research and devotion to building a more equitable society through science and education.

Kamal Samarth, popularly known as Kamal Ranadive, was born on 8 November 1917 in Pune.

Google said her father encouraged her to pursue medical education, which inspired Ranadive to excel academically, but he found her instead calling in biology.

“In 1949, she earned his doctorate in cytology, the study of cells, while working as a researcher at the Indian Cancer Research Center (ICRC). After a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, she returned to Mumbai (then Bombay) and ICRC, where she established the country’s first tissue culture laboratory,” the American tech company said.

Dr Ranadive, in particular, was among the first researchers in India to propose a link between breast cancer and heredity and to identify links between cancer and certain viruses. She also studied Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy, and helped develop a vaccine.

In 1973, Ranadive along with 11 of her colleagues founded the Indian Association of Women Scientists (IWSA) to support women in scientific fields.

After retiring in 1989, she worked in rural communities in Maharashtra, training women as health workers and providing health and nutrition education.

The IWSA now reportedly has 11 chapters in India that offer scholarships and childcare options for women in science.

Google said the doodle was painted by guest artist Ibrahim Rayintakath, who lives in India.

“I got a chance to delve deeper into her life and work, to understand her talent in the field. Not only the work but also what she was like as a person, which I couldn’t surpass,” Reyntakath said. Why was this a matter of significance to him personally.