The Regional Young Investigator Meeting (RYIM) Chennai, held from 22 to 24 January 2025 at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras brought together over 150 researchers, postdocs, industry professionals, and academics for three days of vibrant discussions and networking. Themed ​“Future of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences,” the event was jointly organised by IIT Madras, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), and IndiaBioscience. The meeting aimed to provide a platform for emerging researchers to share ideas, explore funding opportunities, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.

The organising committee comprised Anubama Rajan from ORGAMED Lab, IIT Madras; Greeshma Thrivikraman from Thrivikraman Lab, IIT Madras; Lakshmi Revathi Perumalsamy, and Anand Thirunavukarasou from SRIHER, Chennai, whose collective efforts were instrumental in the success of the meeting.

The conference focused on four key pillars: emerging technologies in healthcare, public health and sustainability, entrepreneurship, and career development.

Opening doors to technology-driven healthcare

The meeting opened with an inaugural address by M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, who delivered an engaging talk on the role of technology in transforming healthcare. He elaborated on government initiatives that leverage AI and IT technologies to improve patient outcomes, drive research, and set benchmarks for clinical care. His vision of creating tech-enabled healthcare infrastructure laid a strong foundation for the sessions that followed.

The keynote talk by Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MSSRF, emphasised a One Health approach to global challenges. Swaminathan stressed the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health. ​“We need to look at the diseases that affect humans, animals, and the environment holistically,” she pointed out. Her insights on disease surveillance systems and multi-sector collaborations underscored the importance of interdisciplinary solutions in tackling public health crises.

Cutting-edge technologies shape the future

The session on emerging technologies in healthcare showcased how diagnostic devices, AI, startups, and medical innovations are reshaping the landscape. Keynote speaker, Rohit Srivastava, Chair Professor, IIT Bombay, inspired the audience with a powerful message about the importance of fostering an Entrepreneurial Culture in Research. He emphasised the necessity of developing a vision aimed at creating affordable healthcare solutions for all. Srivastava also shared his own remarkable journey, detailing how his lab has been at the forefront of developing innovative calorimetric sensors and point-of-care devices. These advancements aim to bring affordable technology to the market, ultimately contributing to the country’s self-reliance in healthcare. 

Himanshu Sinha, Associate Professor, IIT Madras, discussed how AI-powered tools are improving diagnostics and decision-making to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in India, while Nikhil, a healthcare entrepreneur, shared his startup journey, detailing his initial struggles and eventual success. The session concluded with a panel discussion titled, ​“Making of medical innovations: Patents, startups, and inventions,” that brought together experts who shared strategies for navigating intellectual property and entrepreneurship. The discussion provided attendees with actionable insights into translating research ideas into practical innovations.

Vaccine research, public health, and entrepreneurial journeys

A major highlight of the meeting was the session on vaccine development, led by P.N. Rangarajan, Professor from IISc, Bengaluru, who chronicled his experience in developing the Hepatitis B vaccine in India. His talk shed light on overcoming regulatory and production hurdles in large-scale vaccine manufacturing. Sasirekha Ramani, Associate Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, followed with insights on the use of organoid models to study vaccine biology, highlighting their importance in disease research. Shantala Hegde, Clinical Neuropsychologist, NIMHANS, addressed the gathering about the importance of mental health issues to the community.

Public health took centre stage on Day 2, with a keynote address by Kalpana Balakrishnan, who addressed environmental factors such as air pollution that contribute to the global disease burden. She urged researchers to prioritise environmental health and collaborate across disciplines to prevent the rise of pollution-related diseases.

The meeting also explored research funding opportunities. Dipanwita Sengupta, Wellcome Trust India Alliance, provided an overview of funding schemes, while Rukmini Kumar recounted her entrepreneurial journey of founding Vantage Research without relying on external grants. She highlighted the importance of resourcefulness and strategic planning in building a successful research-based company.

Mentorship, ethics, and research stories

Young investigators had the opportunity to engage with mentors through sessions on ethics in research and career growth strategies. The mentor talk by Ravi Mahajan, Director of Research, Apollo Hospitals, inspired attendees to stay focused on long-term goals while being adaptable and creative in solving problems. ​“Always focus on doing the right thing,” he emphasised, sharing his research integrity and leadership philosophy.

A panel discussion on clinical research ethics prompted lively debates on informed consent, data transparency, and the responsibilities of researchers. The session helped young researchers understand the importance of maintaining ethical standards in their work.

In another key session, Diya Binoy Joseph, inStem; Nathiya Muthalagu, IITM; and Shruthi Vembhar, IBAB; YIs from Chennai and other parts of South India shared their journeys in research. They discussed the hurdles they faced in establishing research infrastructure, particularly in developing animal models, and how they overcame resource and logistical challenges. 

These research experiences resonated with many early-career scientists, offering them practical strategies to persevere in their research careers.

The day concluded with the Spark Your Science Tournament, a dynamic session where young researchers gave rapid-fire presentations on their work. This interactive session allowed participants to showcase their innovations while engaging with their peers.

Crafting careers and building the ecosystem

A major highlight of the meeting was the Crafting Your Career (CYC) workshop, which drew over 50 participants eager to learn about career paths beyond academia and building your skills. Ankita Rathore, Associate Director at IndiaBioscience, led the CYC workshop, and guided attendees on transitioning between academia and industry, applying for grants, and planning for long-term careers in scientific research and beyond. 

On day 2, Rathore detailed IndiaBioscience’s initiatives in a talk, including career development workshops, collaboration-focused compendia, diverse career path resources, and partnerships with biotech industries, urging scientists and students to actively engage with these programs to amplify their impact.

The conference also provided ample opportunities for networking through daily lunches and a Networking Dinner on 23 January. Participants enjoyed connecting with peers, mentors, and industry experts in a collaborative environment. The meeting concluded with an award ceremony celebrating research excellence and acknowledging the contributions of speakers, organisers, and volunteers.

The success of RYIM Chennai 2025 demonstrated the importance of creating platforms for young researchers to engage in scientific dialogue, mentorship, and career development. 

The organising team expressed their gratitude to IndiaBioscience, speakers, and attendees for making the meeting a memorable success. As the meeting drew to a close, participants left with new connections, fresh ideas, and renewed inspiration for their research journeys.