Kamala_Sohonie

India's first woman to earn a doctorate in biochemistry, pioneering women in STEM

Kamala Sohonie (1916–2008) shattered barriers as India's first female biochemist, earning her PhD from Cambridge University in 1941. Born in a Parsi-Zoroastrian family in Mumbai, she defied societal expectations to pursue science, studying at the Indian Institute of Science under Nobel laureate C.V. Raman. Her research on hemoglobin synthesis and plant biochemistry advanced cancer treatment and agricultural science. Sohonie became the first woman appointed to the Indian Science Congress, advocating for women’s inclusion in scientific research.

Despite her achievements, Sohonie faced discrimination, including being denied lab equipment due to her gender. She later established the Cipla pharmaceutical lab, developing affordable drugs for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Her 1952 paper on "Hemoglobin and the Sickle Cell Anemia" remains a cornerstone in genetic medicine. Sohonie’s legacy is honored by the IISc Kamala Sohonie Memorial Lectureship. Scholarships like the Kamala Sohonie STEM Grant continue her mission to support women in science. Her story is detailed in Women in Science in India, a 2003 anthology celebrating female pioneers.