Renowned malaria biologist Dr. Chetan E. Chitnis, currently based in France, has been honoured with the Padma Shri 2025 in the category of Science and Engineering for his outstanding contributions to global health and vaccine development.
Dr. Chitnis, a leading researcher at the prestigious Institut Pasteur in Paris, has dedicated his career to studying malaria parasite biology, focusing on vaccine candidates to prevent the spread of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, the two most deadly malaria parasites. His pioneering work on erythrocyte binding proteins has paved the way for some of the most promising vaccine strategies against malaria.
Before moving to France, Dr. Chitnis served as Principal Investigator at ICGEB, New Delhi, where he led teams that developed India’s first malaria vaccine candidates to enter clinical trials. He also held significant positions in research institutions in the United States, including the NIH.
A recipient of several prestigious awards—including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize and the Infosys Prize in Life Sciences—Dr. Chitnis has authored over 100 research papers and holds multiple patents in vaccine development. His work has had a lasting impact on malaria control strategies, particularly in regions most affected by the disease.
Dr. Chitnis also carries forward a scientific legacy. His father, Eknath V. Chitnis, was a key figure in India’s space program and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.
Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Chitnis remarked, “This recognition is not just personal—it reflects the collective effort of my research teams in India and France, and the global fight against malaria.”
His Padma Shri honour reinforces India’s global reputation in science and innovation and highlights the importance of international collaboration in tackling public health challenges.
