Renowned clinical immunologist and rheumatologist Dr. Amita Aggarwal officially assumed charge as the Executive Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bibinagar, on Thursday (October 23) . She was warmly welcomed by faculty members and staff, who expressed confidence that her leadership will further advance the institute’s academic excellence and institutional growth.
Dr. Aggarwal, who was appointed to the post in September, previously served as Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow.
A distinguished figure in Indian medical science, Dr. Aggarwal is widely known for her pioneering research on autoimmune rheumatic diseases, especially Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Born in 1960, she completed her MBBS and MD in Internal Medicine from AIIMS, New Delhi.
She has been part of SGPGIMS’s Department of Immunology since 1994, contributing extensively to clinical practice, teaching, and research for over two decades. Since 2012, she has also been associated as a co-investigator with India’s Biomedical Informatics Centre, promoting advancements in biomedical data and research.
Dr. Aggarwal’s work has earned her several prestigious honours, including the Shakuntala Amir Chand Award from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Bioscience Award for Career Development from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. She is also an elected fellow of both the National Academy of Sciences, India, and the National Academy of Medical Sciences.
Addressing faculty members after taking charge, Prof. Aggarwal emphasized her vision of fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and institutional excellence. She announced plans to visit every department to gain a comprehensive understanding of their ongoing work and needs, and to develop a strategic road map for integrated institutional growth.
