My research interests are centered around molecular parasitology, specifically in elucidation of drug resistance mechanisms in clinical visceral leishmaniasis cases. The contribution of host genetic factors in Leishmania susceptibility in Indian populations has also been investigated by her group. A significant basic research component involves exploration of unique biochemical pathways and enzymes for identification and validation of putative drug targets and design and development of novel drug molecules. I have authored several books and scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals. I am a three time awardee from Indian Council of Medical Research. I have been associated with prominent international developments to bring the global health systems focus to this ‘neglected disease’. I have been at the helm of the affairs in the inception of the Leishmaniasis Research Society (India) www.leishmaniaresearchsociety.org and organization of the 4th World Congress on Leishmaniasis at Lucknow, India in 2009. Presently, I am all set to uncover the parasite’s DNA blueprint. I feel ‘knowing the genetic sequence of this parasite from clinical cases, opens a new door for development of better control regimens’.

The ICMR Professor B. K. Aikat Oration Award was instituted by Dr Meera Aikat in 1984 in memory of her husband Professor B.K. Aikat, a biomedical scientist. This award is conferred upon a scientist for research in the field of Tropical Diseases. The criteria for the award is that the work should significantly add to the existing knowledge in the field of Tropical Diseases in which he/she has been actively engaged over a number of years. The award for the year 2012 is being jointly presented to Dr Neeloo Singh, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow for her research work on ‘The birth of the first Leishmania donovani whole genome in India.’ Dr Singh feels ‘knowing the genetic sequence of this parasite from clinical cases, opens a new door for development of better control regimens’ therefore she set to uncover the Leishmania parasite’s DNA blueprint. Whole genome analysis presents an excellent means to identify new targets for drugs, vaccine and diagnostic development, and also provide an avenue into the biological basis of parasite virulence in the L. donovani complex present in India. The genomes of the clinical isolates collected from Bihar, were successfully assembled and annotated and the knowledge acquired was submitted to public domain for free dissemination of knowledge. A remarkable discovery of unusual cases of Kala Azar was also made through this whole genome sequencing work. This new awareness into the biology of this parasite will ensure a changed course for treatment to be put in place for patients suffering from this ‘neglected disease’ in India. Dr Singh has made significant contributions to the field of Kala Azar (visceral leishmaniasis) research in India. She has been at the helm of the affairs in the inception of the Leishmaniasis Research Society (India) and organization of the 4th World Congress on Leishmaniasis at Lucknow in 2009. She has published extensively in national and international journals.