Who : Former head of epidemiology and communicable diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

What is in news : Dr R R Gangakhedkar, has been selected for the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) expert group that will examine the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential, including SARS-CoV-2.

About :

Gangakhedkar

• Had become the face of ICMR during government briefings to the media on the coronavirus pandemic. He retired as the head of epidemiology and communicable diseases at the apex health research body in June last year.
• Represented ICMR in national press briefings and updated journalists on research developments related to COVID-19 in India by breaking down complex scientific data to make them easier for the general public to understand.
• Played an important role in the research on HIV/AIDS and made a significant contribution in developing national policies and patient empowerment. He was the director-incharge of the National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune, before he moved to the ICMR headquarters in Delhi
• Was instrumental in formulation of policies to handle the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala in 2018 and recently for the COVID-19 pandemic. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2020 for his service and his research on HIV/AIDS.