R.C. Sawhney

Emeritus Scientist and Former Direct Life Sciences,Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), New Delhi. Born in Himachal Pradesh in 1949 he joined DRDO in 1978 after doctorate in Experimental Medicine from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh with a brief stint at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. During the last 29 years of his scientific career with DRDO he has made significant contributions in optimizing performance of the soldiers under environmental vagaries in the areas related to:

I. Endocrine adaptation to environmental stress.

II. Physiological glucocticoids in prevention of acute mountain sickness.

III. Application of Yoga in improvement of quality of life of HIV positive cases.

IV. Coronary artery disease regression through life style intervention.

V. Herbs for the health of armed forces

He has developed a modality for quicker induction of troops to high altitude using physiological glucocticoids for emergency army missions. He also initiated and steered Programme Charak ‘Herbs for the health of armed forces’ of DRDO in which 27 products based on seabuckthorn are being transformed into nutraceuticals / herbal medicines to improve operational efficiency of the troops at high altitude and provide protection against radiation exposure, chemical and biological warfare agents. He also developed a lifestyle intervention modality for regression of coronary artery disease.

Dr. Sawhney has published five books, 98 research papers and 21 technical reports and articles in peer reviewed national and international journals. Work done by him in the areas of High Altitude and Polar Endocrinology is well cited in standard textbooks of High Altitude Physiology & Medicine, Endocrinology and Year Book of Sports Medicine. He has been leader of many scientific expeditions to the high altitude terrain in Western and Eastern Himalayas. He has held many important positions in various scientific bodies like Endocrine Society of India, Thyroid Association of India, Seabuckthorn Association of India and has organized several National and International conferences.

In recognition of his outstanding research contributions, he has been honoured with Defence Technology Group Award 2006, Distinguished Service Award, World Congress on Clinical & Preventive Cardiology, 2006; P. N. Shah Oration Award, 2003; Best Presentation Award International Conference on Seabuckthorn, 2003; Labaty Scientist of the Year Award, 2003; Surg Rear Admiral M.S. Malhotra Research Prize, 1985, 1987, 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2006; Defence Research and Development Organization Silicon Research Medal, 2002; S.S. Misra Gold Medal, 1977 Indian Council of Medical Research; Gold Medal of first position in M.Sc. besides many scientific actions in national and international forums.