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VIDEO GALLERY
The Dr. A.S. Kanagasabapathy Oration
Dr. A.S. Kanagasabapathy was a distinguished scientist in clinical biochemistry, renowned for his extensive contributions to laboratory quality control in India. His professional journey began at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, in 1966, where he rose to the position of Professor and Head of the Clinical Biochemistry Department in 1975, a role he fulfilled with distinction until his retirement in 2000.
Dr. Kanagasabapathy is often hailed as the "father of quality control in India" due to his pioneering efforts in establishing a national-level External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS). Initiated in 1978 with 58 participating laboratories, this program has experienced substantial growth, now encompassing over 6,000 laboratories across various programs.
He has collaborated extensively with the World Health Organization (WHO) on various laboratory quality control initiatives and authored several WHO documents, including the "Guidelines on Standard Operating Procedures for Clinical Chemistry."
In 1997, Dr. Kanagasabapathy chaired the Technical Committee of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), where he played a key role in formulating specific guidelines for the accreditation of medical laboratories.
Dr. Kanagasabapathy’s enduring legacy in clinical biochemistry and laboratory quality assurance continues to inspire and set benchmarks in the healthcare sector, both nationally and internationally.
The Ms. Delia M. Houghton Oration
Ms. Delia M. Houghton was a pioneer in the establishment and development of nursing education at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Joining Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder in 1909, she became the institution’s first registered nurse and Nursing Superintendent, playing a pivotal role in initiating formal nursing training programs in India.
Under Ms. Houghton’s leadership, the nursing school at CMC was established in 1909, with the first batch of 15 students. This program evolved over time, becoming a structured Diploma Nursing program in 1932, and later offering India’s first Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1946.
Ms. Delia M. Houghton dedicated her life to advancing healthcare delivery and nurturing a culture of excellence in patient care, compassion at work. Her commitment to integrating nursing education with practical clinical experience set a precedent for future nursing programs across the country.
Along with Ida Scudder, she visited schools throughout South India, persuading girls and their parents to consider nursing as a respectable and rewarding career. Their efforts significantly contributed to the upliftment of women in Indian society and the enhancement of healthcare services.
The Oskar Minkowski Oration
Oskar Minkowski was a German doctor and scientist, best known for discovering the link between the pancreas and diabetes. After earning his medical degree in 1881, he worked closely with Professor Bernhard Naunyn, focusing on internal medicine and experimental pathology.
In 1889, Minkowski and Joseph von Mering performed experiments involving the removal of the pancreas from dogs and observed that the animals subsequently developed diabetes. This pivotal discovery established the pancreas as a critical organ in blood sugar regulation and provided key insights into the link between diabetes and pancreatic function.
In recognition of his contributions, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes established the Minkowski Prize, awarded annually to outstanding researchers in the field of diabetes.
Throughout his career, Minkowski held professorships at several universities, including the University of Breslau. His pioneering research continues to influence the understanding and treatment of diabetes today.
The Homi Jehangir Bhabha Oration
Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha is best known as the "Father of the Indian Nuclear Program." During his time at Cambridge, Bhabha conducted significant research on cosmic rays and quantum theory. His work on electron-positron scattering, later known as “Bhabha scattering,” provided valuable insights into particle interactions.
Recognizing the need for a dedicated research institution in fundamental sciences, he founded the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai in 1945, with support from the Tata Trust. He believed in harnessing the power of nuclear energy for the betterment of human health.
Under his leadership, India’s atomic energy program became a catalyst for the development of nuclear medicine. This field, which leverages radioactive isotopes for both diagnosis and treatment, owes much to Bhabha’s foresight and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
One of his most notable contributions to medicine is the introduction and development of medical isotopes in India. Their applications in nuclear imaging, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), have revolutionized imaging modalities.
The establishment of premier research institutions such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) under his guidance was pivotal in advancing medical science. BARC, in particular, played a crucial role in producing medical isotopes on a scale that made them accessible across India.
The Albert Einstein Oration
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and energy. In 1905, he published four groundbreaking papers, collectively known as the “Annus Mirabilis Papers,” which introduced the special theory of relativity and the famous equation E=mc², establishing the equivalence of mass and energy. This discovery laid the theoretical groundwork for nuclear energy, which in turn revolutionized nuclear medicine. Without Einstein’s groundbreaking work, these life-saving innovations might never have been realized.
In 1915, Einstein presented the general theory of relativity, which extended his earlier work to include gravity. His work on the photoelectric effect, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, was instrumental in shaping the field of quantum mechanics. This understanding became the cornerstone for the development of imaging technologies that have revolutionized modern medicine.
Another key contribution was Einstein’s theory of stimulated emission, which became the basis for the development of lasers. His insights into molecular behavior have enhanced our understanding of cellular processes, from protein folding to enzyme interactions, and even drug development.
The Rosalyn Sussman Yalow Oration
Rosalyn Sussman Yalow was a pioneering American medical physicist whose development of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique revolutionized endocrinology and medical diagnostics. Despite the gender biases of her time, Yalow secured a teaching assistantship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she was the sole woman among 400 faculty members in the College of Engineering. She collaborated with physician Solomon A. Berson to explore medical applications of radioactive substances. Their partnership led to the development of RIA, a highly sensitive technique capable of measuring minute concentrations of hormones, vitamins, and enzymes in the blood. Notably, Yalow and Berson chose not to patent the method, facilitating its widespread adoption and benefiting countless patients worldwide.
Yalow’s contributions earned her numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1977, making her the second woman to receive this honor in the field. Beyond her scientific achievements, Yalow was a dedicated mentor, inspiring future generations of researchers.
