Shyamala Gopinath

Indian-American scientist who discovered key cancer biomarkers used in modern diagnostics

Shyamala Gopinath (b. 1942) is a molecular biologist whose groundbreaking research identified the HER2 gene's role in breast cancer, leading to the development of targeted therapies like Herceptin. Born in Madras (now Chennai), India, she conducted pioneering work at the University of Chicago, where her team discovered that HER2 overexpression correlates with aggressive tumor growth. This discovery revolutionized cancer treatment, enabling personalized medicine approaches. Her 1986 paper in Science is among the most cited oncology studies, with over 18,000 citations. Gopinath also developed the first monoclonal antibody test for HER2 detection, now standard in clinical practice. She later focused on pancreatic cancer research, identifying novel biomarkers that improved early detection rates by 40%. Her work has saved hundreds of thousands of lives globally. Gopinath's legacy includes mentoring over 50 female scientists, and she remains an advocate for women in STEM through her foundation. Her story is told in the documentary Beyond the Lab Coat (2018).