At a time when India continues to grapple with preventable blindness, rising cardiac risks, and limited access to advanced surgery, Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam has quietly transformed engineering into an instrument of compassion. His work consistently bridges cutting-edge technology with real-world healthcare needs.
National Recognition for Transformational Innovation
In recognition of his impact, Professor Sivaprakasam, Director of the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre and the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras, has received the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 in the Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar category for Technology and Innovation.
Reflecting on the honour, he described it as validation that world-class research can emerge from India and translate into indigenous, commercially viable healthcare technologies. Moreover, he emphasised that modern academia thrives on collaboration—with hospitals, clinicians, industry partners, biologists, and global researchers working together.
Building Sustainable Research Ecosystems
Over the past 15 years, his centres have delivered projects worth ₹300–400 crore. While government funding played a key role initially, private industry and philanthropy now contribute nearly 60–70% of support, proving that scalable research models can extend well beyond public funding.
Returning Home to Make an Impact
After conducting advanced research in the United States, Professor Sivaprakasam returned to India in 2008 with a clear mission: reduce dependence on costly medical imports and build affordable indigenous solutions. This decision laid the foundation for multiple breakthrough technologies.
Innovations That Reach Millions
His contributions include the Mobile Eye Surgical Unit—India’s first ministry-approved ‘hospital on wheels’—which has restored vision through over 30,000 cataract surgeries in rural areas. Additionally, Eye PAC has enabled cost-effective eye screening for millions globally, while VITALSENS has elevated wearable devices to clinical-grade monitoring.
Redefining Advanced Care and Research
As reported by India Today, beyond clinical devices, Professor Sivaprakasam’s team has developed indigenous endoscopy systems, robotic spine surgery platforms, vascular risk assessment tools, and decarbonisation frameworks for hospitals. Simultaneously, the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre has achieved a global milestone by creating cellular-resolution 3D atlases of the human brain.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Professor Sivaprakasam aims to impact 50 million patients annually through affordable robotic systems, breakthrough transplant technologies, and a growing startup ecosystem—proving that innovation rooted in compassion can truly change the world.