Kamala Sohonie The First Indian Woman to Earn a Ph.D
Kamala Sohonie: The First Indian Woman to Earn a Ph.D
Kamala Sohonie (कमला सोहनी) (18 June 1911 – 28 June 1998) was the first Indian woman to achieve a Ph.D. in a scientific field. an Indian biochemist who in 1939 became the first Indian woman to receive a Ph.D. in a scientific discipline. Her acceptance into and work at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, paved the way for women to be accepted into the institution for the first time in its history.
Kamala Sohonie was born on 18 June 1911 in Indore, now in Madhya Pradesh, India. Her father, Narayanarao Bhagvat, as well as her uncle, Madhavrao Bhagvat, were chemists and alumni of the erstwhile Tata Institute of Sciences (which later became the Indian Institute of Science) in Bengaluru Kamala followed 'family tradition' and graduated in 1933 with a BSc degree in Chemistry (principal) and Physics (subsidiary) from Bombay University.
Kamala then applied to the Indian Institute of Science for a research fellowship, but her application was turned down by the then-Director and Nobel Laureate Prof. C V Raman because women were not considered competent enough to pursue research Kamala responded to the rejection by holding a 'satyagraha' outside Prof. C V . Raman's office, which persuaded him to grant her admission, but with some stipulations:
She would not be admitted as a regular student.
She would be on probation for the entire first year.
Her work would not be officially recognized until CV Raman was himself satisfied with its quality.
She would not spoil the environment by being a "distraction" to her male colleagues.
Early Life and Education: Discuss Sohonie's upbringing, education, and her early interest in science. Mention her academic journey, including her doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge.
Contributions to Biochemistry: Highlight Sohonie's research and notable contributions to the field of enzymology. You can discuss specific experiments or discoveries she made and how they advanced our understanding of enzymes and biochemical processes.
Challenges and Achievements: Explore the challenges Sohonie faced as a woman pursuing a career in science during that time. Discuss how she overcame these obstacles and highlight her notable achievements.
Impact and Legacy: Describe the lasting impact of Sohonie's work on the field of biochemistry in India and beyond. Discuss her influence on future generations of scientists and the recognition she received for her contributions.
Personal Life and Inspirations: Share some insights into Sohonie's personal life, including her family, mentors, and sources of inspiration that helped shape her scientific journey.
Kamala Sohonie's 112th Birthday on Google Doodle
Google Doodle celebrated the 112th birthday of Kamala Sohine He provided Provide a brief overview of Kamala Sohonie's background and her significance in the field of biochemistry. She agreed to Prof. C.V Raman's conditions and started to work at IISc in 1933. Her mentor was Sri. Srinivasayya. Prof. Raman was impressed by her performance and gave her permission to pursue further research.
She worked on proteins present in food items, and the research earned her an M.Sc degree in biochemistry. She was invited to Cambridge University to work under Dr. Derek Richter in the Frederick G. Hopkins laboratory. She then worked under Dr. Robin Hill and discovered the cellular enzyme cytochrome. She earned a Ph.D. degree from Cambridge University for her studies on cytochrome c. Her research findings were very short, which consisted of only 40 pages. She returned to India in 1939.
She was appointed as the Professor and Head of the biochemistry department at Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. Later, she worked at the Nutrition Research Lab, Koonoor. After marrying Mr. M.V. Sohonie in 1947, she moved to Mumbai. She joined the Royal Institute of Science in Bombay as a professor of the biochemistry department. At the institute, she worked on the nutritional aspect of legumes. She was presented with the Rashtrapati Award for her work on the drink 'Neera' which is an important food for malnourished children.
Kamala Sohonie collapsed and died shortly after being honored in a ceremony organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research in New Delhi.
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