Google Doodle celebrated the 104th birthday of Indian cell biologist Dr Kamal Ranadive with a special doodle on Monday (November 8).
Renowned Indian biologist Dr Ranadive is best known for her groundbreaking cancer research and devotion to creating a more equitable society through science and education.
The Google doodle on Monday has been illustrated by Ibrahim Rayintakath, an India-based guest artist.
Kamal Samarath alias Kamal Ranadive was born on November 8, 1917 in Pune.
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Kamal received a doctorate in cytology, the study of cells in 1949.
She did her Ph.D. in the Indian Cancer Research Center (ICRC).
After a fellowship, Kamal did her research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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After her return to Mumbai (then Bombay) and the ICRC, she established India’s first tissue culture laboratory.
Google Doodle page says: “As the director of the ICRC and a pioneer in animal modeling of cancer development, Ranadive was among the first researchers in India to propose a link between breast cancer and heredity and to identify the links among cancers and certain viruses.”
“Continuing this trailblazing work, Ranadive studied Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy, and aided in developing a vaccine. In 1973, Dr. Ranadive and 11 colleagues founded the Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA) to support women in scientific fields,” the page says.
Dr Ranadive retired in 1989 and after her retirement, she worked in rural communities in Maharashtra.
She trained women as healthcare workers and provided health and nutrition education.