Gender: Woman
Nationality: Indian
Academy Affiliation: Indian National Science Academy
Academy Country: India
Field: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, Multi-objective Optimization, Evolutionary Computing

NOMINATED FOR: Advisory Committee;
TERM: First-time candidate

DESCRIPTION OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE ACADEMY'S ACTIVITIES OR IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:

Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay is a leading computer scientist with pioneering contributions in Machine Learning, AI and Computational Biology. Recipient of numerous awards including Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honor of the Govt. of India, and Fellow of all major Indian science academies and of TWAS, IEEE, and IAPR, she is the Director of the Indian Statistical Institute for two consecutive terms demonstrating her strong leadership capabilities.

Bandyopadhyay plays a major role in the scientific ecosystem in India and internationally. She is on the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council, and in the governing councils and sectional committees of India’s science academies. Bandyopadhyay is consulted by major government agencies like Dept. of Science & Technology and Dept. of Biotechnology, on issues ranging from research funding to strategic planning. She was involved in the Science Advisers’ Roundtable during India’s G20 Presidency that focused on fostering international cooperation in areas like health and climate change. Her involvement in Academy's international scientific cooperation and policy dialogue is evident from the fact that she served as Co-Chair of the INSA–Royal Society UK Yusuf Hamied Bilateral Workshop in July 2023.

In light of her deep contributions to scientific leadership, policy and international cooperation, I strongly recommend the nomination of Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay for membership of the IAP Advisory Committee.

EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES IN AN IAP,NATIONAL ACADEMY OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY:
The nominee serves in the governing councils of the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi and National Academy of Sciences India, Prayagraj and of other national institutes. She has also served/is serving in the sectional committees for selecting Fellows and/or Young Scientists of these academies and the Indian Academy of Sciences Bangalore and the Indian National Academy of Engineering. She is a member of the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of India (PM-STIAC). She has been the Director of the Indian Statistical Institute, an internationally renowned research and teaching Institute in India, for two consecutive terms. The nominee is also a Fellow of IEEE, TWAS and IAPR. She has served as the Chair of the Independent Expert Committee for the evaluation of the candidates for TWAS Awards and is serving on TWAS Membership Advisory Committee (MAC).