Meet Saroj Gopal, Surgeon Set To Do PhD At IIT Kanpur At 79 Years

Dr Saroj Chooramani Gopal, a Padma Shri-awarded surgeon, is all to return to the classroom at the age of 79. On January 10, she enrolled for a PhD program at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Her research will focus on how stem cells from a person’s bone marrow or abdominal lining can help in regenerating spinal nerves in patients with injuries or vertebral damage. Dr Gopal is presently the President of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), and has received India's highest award for physicians, the Dr B C Roy Award.

Talking about her research, Dr Gopal told Indian Express, "I remember this baby born with meningomyelocele — a condition where the spinal cord of the baby is damaged at the time of birth. My senior said there was absolutely nothing that could be done. I was determined then to find a way out for children like that... I thought my research could also help adults and other earning members of a family lead a better life."

Who Is Dr Saroj Chooramani Gopal?

Dr Saroj Chooramani Gopal was born on July 25, 1944, in Mathura Uttar Pradesh. Right from a young age, she was a determined individual, who wouldn't take no for an answer. Her family was against her pursuing medicine, which made her take a five-day hunger strike until they agreed. 

However, her family gave her one condition--  she would have to enrol in the Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, that was closest to her home. In 1966 she completed her undergraduate program, and then in 1969, she faced another obstacle in her education.

Speaking to Indian Express, she recalled, ”When I had the option of taking up either obstetrics and gynaecology or general surgery for my post-graduation, everyone said I should choose gynaecology because that’s what women did. I was denied a seat in general surgery that was traditionally meant for men. I fought. I took the matter to the admissions committee and said when men can study gynaecology, why can’t women study surgery?"

Dr Gopal has many firsts under her belt. She was the first female student to pursue a post-graduation in general surgery at the Sarojini Naidu College. She then became the first woman in India to obtain a degree in paediatric surgery in 1973 after she graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. 

She began her career as a faculty of the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, where she later worked as the Medical Superintendent and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine till 2008. She then joined the King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, as the Vice Chancellor, becoming the first woman to head the university.

Throughout her distinguished career, Dr Gopal has been a pioneer in advancements in paediatric surgery. It was her extensive research and contributions that led to the development of a stent designed for hydrocephalus (the accumulation of fluid in the brain) and a budget-friendly humidifier tailored for infants. She has made paediatric healthcare accessible and affordable for countless children from poor families.

Ashok Kumar, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering (BSBE) at IIT Kanpur told Indian Express, “Dr Gopal has had such an extraordinary career that anybody would happily grant her an honorary doctorate. She wanted to work on the project she was passionate about and earn it. The good thing is that in IITs, there is no age bar on research,” added Kumar, adding that Dr Gopal provides the crucial clinical aspects to his lab’s work.