DR. AISWARYA MUKUNDAN WON ICONIC ACADEMICIAN AWARD IN THE FIELD OF MICROBIOLOGY

BY SCIENTIFIC LAURELS Microbiology INDIA

Dr. Aiswarya Mukundan completed her MD in Microbiology (2011–2014) with second class from Govt. Medical College, Thrissur, where she also served as a Junior Resident cum Faculty Member, teaching MBBS, BDS, MLT, and Nursing students. Her academic training and teaching tenure equipped her with strong expertise in medical microbiology, outbreak investigations, and student mentorship.

Professional Experience

  • Govt. Taluk Headquarters Hospital, Ottapalam – Completed one year of compulsory rural service.

  • ESI (Employee’s State Insurance Corporation), Thrissur – Served as Assistant Insurance Medical Officer for 1.5 years.

  • Govt. Medical College, Thrissur – Worked in multiple roles:

    • Medical Officer (Microbiology Lab & VRDL) – Supervised COVID-19 RT-PCR, Truenat, CBNAAT, and antigen testing. Managed tests for Hepatitis, Dengue, Chikungunya, Leptospira, Zika virus, fungal cultures, and outbreak investigations (NICU outbreaks, Hepatitis A).

    • Infection Control Officer during COVID-19 Pandemic – Led infection control initiatives, training healthcare personnel, and supporting contact tracing efforts.

    • Assistant Professor – Implemented competency-based medical education curriculum. Took classes for MBBS, BDS, MLT, and Nursing students, and guided seminars, practicals, and discussions.

Research & Publications

Dr. Mukundan has made significant contributions to medical research with 10 peer-reviewed publications, including studies on streptococcal carriage, antimicrobial resistance, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, COVID-19 antibody response, influenza trends, and rare case reports. Her research output reflects both clinical relevance and public health impact.

Conferences, Seminars & Workshops

  • Presented 3 research papers/posters at prestigious platforms such as MICROCON and CME programs.

  • Attended 19 conferences/seminars and multiple specialized workshops on PCR applications, virological techniques, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and infection control practices.

Honours & Awards

  • Best Teacher Award (2021) – Department of Microbiology, Govt. Medical College, Thrissur.

  • Certificate of Appreciation (2023) – For delivering a talk on “Prevention of Infections,” Govt. Medical College, Thrissur.

Scientific & Academic Contributions

Dr. Mukundan has contributed extensively to:

  • Teaching & Training – Guiding undergraduate and postgraduate students across medical, dental, paramedical, and nursing streams.

  • Clinical Microbiology – Active participation in outbreak investigations, antimicrobial stewardship, and diagnostic innovations.

  • Public Health – Frontline involvement in infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility for Iconic Academician Award

With her distinguished teaching excellence, impactful publications, active participation in outbreak investigations, frontline COVID-19 contributions, and recognition as a best teacher, Dr. Aiswarya Mukundan exemplifies the qualities of an Iconic Academician. Her career reflects a strong balance of academia, research, clinical microbiology, and public health service, making her a deserving candidate for the Iconic Academician Award in Scientific Laurels.