Dr R S Jayasree becomes first Malayali to win Women in Medicine Award

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The life of Dr R.S. Jayasree is nothing short of a guidebook to success for women in general. Jayasree, a senior scientist in the biophotonics department at the Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, is the first Malayali to win the prestigious Women in Medicine Award. The award, given to doctors and biomedical scientists by the National Academy of Medical Sciences of the Union Health Ministry, reached Jayasree at the age of 62.

Unlike others, Jayasree, a native of North Paravur, was 45 when she stepped into her first job. She completed her graduation in physics from Maliankara SNM College and her postgraduate degree from CUSAT. Jayasree had joined CUSAT for her PhD, but marriage forced her to shift to Vanchiyoor, her husband's hometown. She then joined Kerala University for her PhD.

Jayasree was robbed of any time for preparation as she had to look after her children. Despite the lack of it, she found time during late nights for preparation. Soon, Jayasree completed her PhD in Physics. Her husband Adv. V. Ajakumar is a special prosecutor in the High Court. Children: Adv. Siddharth Menon, Dr Aravind Menon, Dr Jayavardhan Menon.

Dr Jayasree is currently busy researching a device that can detect the possibility of Alzheimer's from biomarkers in the blood.

Achievement throughout the years:

👉 Received the Women in Science Fellowship from the Central Government in 2005

👉 While preparing for PhD, she became a scientist in the Radiology Department at Sree Chitra in 2006.

👉 In 2010, she received a postdoctoral fellowship from Monash University, Australia

👉 After returning, she started the Biophotonics Department at Sree Chitra.

👉 Was a guest at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the 75th Republic Day.

"You should have a goal from childhood. Your entire life should be an effort towards it. Never give up." - Dr RS Jayasree