Significant scientist

Taking a keen interest in popularization of science and societal issues, 70-year-old Dr Mahtab S. Bamji was conferred the C. V. Raman Medal of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for the year 2005, notes a press release. Currently she is a member of the task group on revamping and refocusing of agriculture re­search constituted by the Planning Commission. Chair of a commit­tee constituted by INSA to examine the pursuit of science as a career by Indian women, the report identified contributing fac­tors and remedial measures to cope with the triple burden of home, career and male chauvinism.

Since her retirement from the National Institute of Nutrition as director grade scientist after three decades of service there she has been working as emeritus scientist with the Dangoria Charitable Trust evolving strategies for health, nutri­tion and environmental improvement and livelihood for women in the villages of Andhra Pradesh.

Bamji: health strategy

Over the years her research on B-vitamin related defi­ciencies has resulted in significant progress in the field of nutritional biochemistry, impacting maternal and child health. She has also developed tests to assess vitamin nutrition status in the community and to determine the daily requirement of B-vitamins, the interaction between nutrition and drugs such as oral contraceptives and identification of carnitine as a vitamin.

Having published over 130 papers, Bamji has also edited the popular Text Book of Human Nutrition, now in its second edition. For 20 years she was contributing editor for Nutrition Reviews of USA and has additionally served on the editorial board of national and international journals, notes her life profile. A Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Medical Sciences and honorary Fellow of the Andhra Pradesh Acade­my of Sciences, Bamji has received a string of awards over the years including the National Woman Bio-scientist award for 2000. Last year the Academy for Science Technology and Communication, Hyderabad had honored her as a Distinguished Woman Scientist.