The North News
New Delhi, December 29
Dr Suresh Kumar Angurana, an Additional Professor at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), has been conferred the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (Medicine) for 2025. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Dr Angurana is among 15 scientists nationwide selected for the Vigyan Yuva honour this year.
The PGIMER officials said the award recognises Dr Angurana’s pioneering work in paediatrics and paediatric critical care, particularly his research on the role of the gut microbiome in critically ill children. His studies have helped establish evidence-based use of probiotics to prevent infections and reduce inflammation in paediatric intensive care units.
Dr Angurana has led several landmark clinical trials, including randomised controlled studies that demonstrated how multi-strain probiotics can lower fungal infections and modulate inflammatory responses in children with severe sepsis. His research, published in leading international journals, has influenced clinical practices in intensive care settings.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he also played a key role in advancing understanding of paediatric Covid-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) in India. His work examined cardiovascular complications, shock and long-term outcomes, contributing to national treatment protocols and guidelines. He has also published comparative analyses of MIS-C and severe dengue in children.
Beyond individual studies, Dr Angurana has been involved in several national and international collaborative projects, including Indian Council of Medical Research-funded trials and global studies on ventilation practices and severe pneumonia in children.
With more than 240 research publications, dozens of conference presentations and contributions to over 20 medical textbooks, he is regarded as a leading figure in paediatric intensive care research. He has previously received multiple national awards, including honours from ICMR and the National Academy of Medical Sciences.
Reacting to the recognition, Dr Angurana said the award was a moment of “great pride and humility”, adding that it reflected the collective efforts of his mentors, colleagues and institution. He said the honour would further motivate him to improve outcomes and quality of care for critically ill children in India.
