Research Section
AIIMS Delhi
In the field of medical research, AIIMS leads India with more than 600 research publications annually. The institution has a dedicated ‘Research Section’ unit, well-equipped with advanced support facilities and qualified staff to elevate and fortify the research capabilities within the institute. This facility extends its support to both intramural and extramural projects, fostering a conducive environment for a diverse range of research endeavors. A detailed history of the research section is documented in the monograph – Research at AIIMS: A glimpse, available here.
The
Mandate
The goal of the research section is to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge and innovation within the medical field through research support.
The
Beginning
The research section has its roots in the institute Scheme Cell, which was setup at AIIMS in 1979. Although research was an individual activity, the scheme cell provided guidance on fund & manpower management.
The
Research Committee
The Director, in 1985, charged a committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.M.L. Kapur the centralization of accounts & administration for research.
Prof. O.P. Ghai was the first Dean (Academic) who was assigned the charge of the Scheme Cell in 1987.
In 1990, Prof. B.N. Tandon was appointed the Chairman of Research Committee along with administrative supervision of Scheme Cell. The Scheme Cell was finally renamed as Research Section in 1991.
The
Evolution
The Research Section was chaired by successive faculty members between 1991 to 1995. Prof. Veena Bijlani (Head, Department of Anatomy) chaired research between 1991-1993, and Prof. SD Seth (Head, Department of Pharmacology) between 1993-1995. Between 1996 to 2010, the Research Section was under the administrative control of Dean (Academic) who was also the Chairman of the Research Committee, except from 2001 till 2008, when Prof PP Kotwal was appointed as Professor-in-Charge of the Research Section. Illustrious faculty members – Prof. MC Maheshwari (Head of Neurology, 1996-2001), Prof. PK Dave (Head of Orthopaedics, 2001), Prof. RB Vajpayee (Prof of Ophthalmology, 2001-2002), Prof. P Venugopal (Chief, CardioThoracic Centre, 2002-2003), Prof. HK Tiwari (Chief, RPC, 2003-2004), Prof. Kusum Verma (Head of Pathology, 2004-2005), Prof. RC Deka (Head of ENT, 2006-2009), Prof. Rani Kumar (Head of Anatomy, 2009-2010) – helmed the section. In 2010, a new post of Dean (Research) was created based on the recommendation of Valiathan Committee and Prof. AB Dey was appointed as the first Dean (Research) on 10.05.2010.
Chairpersons of Research Section (1991 to 1995)
Dean (Academic) as Research Chair (1995 to 2010)
Prof. in Charge – Research Section (2001 to 2010)
Dean (Research)
Successive Faculty Members of the institute have headed the Research Section as Dean Research since 2010.
Prof AB Dey
Head, Department of Geriatric Medicine
2010-2013
Prof. N.K. Mehra
Head, Department of Transplant Immunology & Immunogenetics
2013-2014
Prof. S.K. Acharya
Head, Department of Gastroenterology & HNU
2015-2016
Prof. A.K. Mahapatra
Chief, Neuroscience Centre
2017
Prof. Chitra Sarkar
Head, Department of Pathology
2018-2020
Prof. Subrata Sinha
Head, Department of Biochemistry
2020-2022
Prof. Rama Chowdhary
Head, Department of Microbiology
2022-2023
Prof. Kaushal K Verma
Head, Department of Dermatology & Venereology
2023
Prof. Jeewan S Titiyal
Chief of the Dr. R P Centre
2023-2024
Prof. Nikhil Tandon
Head, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism
2025-Present
Associate Dean (Research)
With increasing workload, a post of Sub-Dean (Research) was created in March 2011. The post of Sub-Dean (Research) was subsequently re-designated as Associate Dean (Research) in 2017.
Dr. Ravinder Goswami
Professor, Department of Endocrinology
2011-2013
Dr. Pramod Garg
Professor, Department of Gastroenterology
2013-2018
Dr. Vineet Ahuja
Professor, Department of Gastroenterology
2018-2024
Dr. Govind K Makharia
Professor, Department of Gastroenterology
2024-continuing
The
Objectives
The Research Section endeavours to:
- To efficiently manage resources, including funding, equipment, and personnel, to maximize the impact of research activities in AIIMS.
- To conduct impactful basic and clinical research that contributes new knowledge, insights, and advancements to the respective field.
- To address significant challenges and problems, providing solutions that can have practical applications and societal benefits in medical field.
- To foster collaboration among researchers within the institute, as well as with external institutions, partners and industries to leverage collective expertise.
- To engage in educational activities, such as training programs and mentorship, to cultivate the next generation of researchers and professionals.
- To engage in continuous self-assessment and improvement, adapting research strategies and methodologies in response to evolving challenges and opportunities.
- To share research findings through publications in reputable journals, presentations at conferences, and other means, ensuring the dissemination of knowledge to the wider academic and professional community
- Development of advanced facilities for cutting-edge instruments, research training, medical Innovation & Entrepreneurship.