Prof Shyam Sundar is currently the Programme Director of the Kala-Azar Medical Research Centre and has made seminal contributions in the field of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) over his career.

He pioneered the application of the rK39 immunochromatographic rapid test in the diagnosis of VL. He introduced the oral drug miltefosine for the treatment of kala-azar. He revolutionised the treatment of VL by introducing single dose treatment with liposomal amphotericin B, and more recently a highly successful short course multidrug treatment for VL. He established a unit of infectious disease at Banaras Hindu University with special emphasis on leishmaniasis, and developed a field unit in Bihar which imparts free diagnosis and treatment for VL.

Prof Sundar joined the Institute of Medical Sciences in 1972 as a MBBS student, and went on to complete his MD in Internal Medicine in 1981. Having published more than 560 papers, he is recognised as one of the world’s leading researchers in VL. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Indian Academy of Medical Sciences, and also the fellow of all the three science academies of India.