The ICMR Chaturvedi Ghanshyam Das Jaigopal Memorial Award was instituted in 1985 by Shri S.P. Chaturvedi in memory of his grandfather- for the eminent work carried out by a scientist in the field of Immunology. The award for the year 2009 is being presented to Dr P. Selvaraj, Scientist-E, Department of Immunology, ICMR's National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai for his research work on 'Vitamin D3 and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms on immunity to tuberculosis'. Dr Selvaraj has expanded the knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D3 on the innate and adaptive immune functions in tuberculosis. Vitamin D3 acts through vitamin D receptor (VDR) present in various cells of the immune system. Dr Selvaraj has demonstrated that vitamin D3 enhances the macrophage phagocytic potential with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the production of cathelicidin (anti-microbial peptide) by the infected macrophages, which may control the growth of M. tuberculosis at the site of infection. Dr Selvaraj also reported the association of 5 regulatory region polymorphisms of VDR gene with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis and decreased IFN- and increased IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) responses in tuberculosis. He has established that the polymorphic variants of VDR gene regulate vitamin D3 modulated immune functions in tuberculosis. Dr Selvaraj has published over 80 research papers in national and international journals.

The Dr J.B. Srivastav Oration Award was instituted in 1978 by Mrs. J. Srivastav in 1978, in memory of her husband Dr J.B. Srivastav, former Director-General of Health Services, for work in the field of Virology. The award for the year 2009 is being presented to Dr Paban Kumar Dash, Scientist-E, Division of Virology, DRDO's Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior for his research work on 'Molecular diagnosis and phylogenetic analysis of emerging arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis) in India'. Dr Dash's research work is primarily directed towards molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of emerging arboviruses of biomedical importance (dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis) and development of suitable rapid diagnostics against these infections. The complete genome information of Indian dengue and chikungunya viruses were deciphered by his group. His research also led to development of a battery of advanced molecular diagnostics including RT-PCR, duplex & multiplex RT-PCR, real time quantitative RT-PCR and RT-LAMP techniques for arboviruses. His other research contributions include immunological diagnostic assays and RNA interference based molecular therapeutics for arboviruses. Dr Dash is a recipient of 'DRDO Young Scientist Award- 2006' and 'Brig. S. K. Mazumdar Young Scientist Award- 2003'. He has published more than 35 research papers in national and international journals.

The Dr B.R. Ambedkar Centenary Award for excellence in biomedical research was instituted in the year 1991-92 as part of the Dr Ambedkar Birth Centenary Celebrations. It is awarded to a scientist for excellence in any field of biomedical research. The award for the year 2009 is being presented to Dr Vinod K. Paul, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Dr Paul's contribution to biomedical research in newborn health is exceptional and far reaching. He developed a low cost, indigenous, lung surfactant to treat hyaline membrane disease which is the major cause of mortality among preterm neonates. He elucidated the association of maternal genital tract infections due to mycoplasmas and chlamydiae with low birth weight. The WHO multicountry studies by Dr Paul as a core investigator have formed the basis of global recommendations on neonatal Integrated Management of Childhood Illness and LBW feeding guidelines. Likewise, Dr Paul's study on Kangaroo Mother Care led to acceleration in the uptake of this modality in India. Dr Paul has been instrumental in establishing the National NeonatalPerinatal Database Network of India in the nineties, a lasting nucleus for multisite clinical research in neonatology. Dr Paul has made an exceptional contribution to the health policy and programmes in the country, in particular - the maternal and child health strategy of RCH, Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI), the ASHA programme, the Navjat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and the Universal Health Coverage paradigm. Dr Paul is recognized as a leading expert in newborn health globally. He played a decisive role in placing neonatal survival at the centre of global efforts to attain the MDG 4, and in developing approaches to embed neonatal health interventions in country programmes. He has authored over 300 scientific publications.

The Shakuntala Amir Chand Prize was instituted in 1953 by late Major General Amir Chand for significant research contribution by young scientists in biomedical sciences. This prize is awarded for the best published research work on any subject in the field of biomedical science including clinical research. The award for the year 2009 is being presented to Lieutenant Colonel (Dr) K.V.S. Hari Kumar, Endocrinologist at Command Hospital, Central Command, Lucknow for his research work on 'Role of ultrasonography and colour Doppler study in the diagnosis and management of thyrotoxicosis'. Dr Hari Kumar has made pioneering contributions in establishing the role of ultrasonography as an alternate method for nuclear imaging in the management of thyrotoxicosis with similar sensitivity and specificity. His research findings are useful to both the physicians and patients as sonography gives instant results, is widely available and cheap in comparison to nuclear imaging. The seminal research by Dr Hari Kumar and his colleagues extends the benefits of ultrasonography in the evaluation of thyrotoxicosis during pregnancy where the nuclear imaging is contraindicated. Currently, his research is focused on the use of sonography as an alternate method for estimation of thyroid hormones in the follow up of thyrotoxicosis patients. Dr Hari Kumar was awarded Dr A R Seth Memorial Gold Medal - 2007 by the Endocrinology Society of India, Young Scientist Award - 2011 by Brigadier SK Mazumdar Memorial Trust, New Delhi and Thyroid Rising Star Oration - 2013 by the Indian Thyroid Society. He has published more than 100 research publications in peer reviewed national and international journals.