Prof Asha Mathur

The late Professor Asha Mathur (1938-2024), MD, FNA, FASc, FAMS, FTWAS, FRCPath (London) was an eminent virologist and medical scientist from Lucknow (UP), who made a number of ground-breaking discoveries in the fields of virology and microbiology.

Professor Mathur pioneered the discovery of transplacental transmission of the Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) in humans and in developing an immunofluorescence technique for the rapid diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis infections. 

Dr Mathur established an AIDS surveillance center in Uttar Pradesh and set up the Department of General Pathology and Microbiology at Saraswati Dental College. She was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, and the Professional Women’s Advisory Board of the International Who’s Who of Professional & Business Women.

Prof Mathur completed her MBBS from Agra Medical College in 1965, followed by a Diploma in Clinical Pathology (1966) and an MD in Pathology & Bacteriology (1969) from King George’s Medical College (KGMC), Lucknow. As a committed teacher, researcher, and thought leader, Prof Mathur led the Department of Microbiology at King George's Medical University (KGMU) for over 30 years.  

Academic Legacy

Professor Mathur dedicated an illustrious career to virology and molecular biology. Her work has influenced more than 150 scholars not just in India, but also Australia, China, Egypt, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Her scholarship informs the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, biotechnology, environmental science and ecology, and computer science. Her academic legacy advances the UN Sustainable Development Goal of ‘Good health and wellbeing’ and will continue to inform public health discovery and discourse. 

Selected Awards and Accomplishments

• Fellowship of the British Royal College of Pathologists (1987) 

• First Senior Women Bio Scientist Award (1991)

• Om Prakash Bhasin Award (1994)

• Indian Council of Medical Research Award (1983, 1987, 1996)

• Medical Council of India Award (1984, 2004)

• Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Sciences of the Indian Academy of Sciences 

• Fellowship of the National Academy of Medical Sciences