Prof. Dr. Naveen Krishan Goel is a distinguished academician and public health researcher with 32 years of teaching experience in community medicine and epidemiology. He is currently serving as Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh (since 2007 to present), where he leads academic programmes, research initiatives and departmental administration for undergraduate, postgraduate and nursing students.

Previously, he served as Associate Professor at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh (2000–2005) and Assistant Professor at Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun (1996–2000). He also held positions as Senior Research Fellow and Senior Resident at Banaras Hindu University (1995–1996) and Senior Resident at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (1992–1994), where he worked at the Rural Health Training Centre conducting epidemiological research and training health workers.

Research & Publications

Prof. Goel has developed a prolific and multidisciplinary research profile spanning public health, epidemiology, communicable and non-communicable diseases, immunization, maternal and child health, and spiritual dimensions of healthcare. His research output is substantial, comprising 226 publications in national and international journals, 40 chapters in books and monographs, and multiple research manuals. His international publications include peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Bahrain Medical Bulletin, Indian Journal of Paediatrics, The Internet Journal of Epidemiology and Internet Journal of Health. His national publications span leading journals including Indian Journal of Public Health, Indian Journal of Community Medicine, Indian Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine and Lung India. He has also contributed chapters on topics including "Spiritual Health of Women" in edited volumes and authored monographs on contraceptive methods and family planning.

Research Projects & Funding

Prof. Goel has led and contributed to numerous funded research projects sponsored by national and international agencies. As Principal Investigator, he has completed projects including an epidemiological study of anaemia in rural populations of Chandigarh, Union Territory (Department of Science and Technology, 2005–2006), an evaluation of quality and access to adolescent-friendly health services in India (ICMR and WHO, 2007–2008), and a study on prevalence of injury-related disability in Chandigarh (WHO, 2007–2008). As Co-Investigator, he has contributed to studies on socio-cultural aspects of menstruation, emergency contraception utilization and determinants of maternal nutrition among under-five children (ICMR, 2008–2010). He currently oversees multiple departmental research projects focusing on surveillance of communicable diseases, drinking water quality assessment, innovations in medical education, and monitoring of immunization programmes.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

Throughout his career, Prof. Goel has been deeply engaged in teaching medical undergraduates, interns, postgraduates and nursing students across multiple institutions. He has guided and supervised 101 MD, DNB and MPH students for their thesis and research work. As a resource person and faculty trainer, he has conducted 62 workshops and conferences covering topics including HIV/AIDS prevention, disability prevention and rehabilitation, immunization strengthening, tuberculosis control, and health programme evaluation. He has also delivered lectures and training sessions for Anganwari workers, Anganwari supervisors, medical officers and health functionaries on nutritional anaemia, breastfeeding and micronutrient management. His commitment to academic excellence extends to his involvement in curriculum development, with contributions to initiatives on yoga training integration in medical education and innovations in teaching methodologies.

Patents / Books / Scholarly Contributions

Prof. Goel has authored or co-authored several scholarly monographs and books. His contributions include co-authorship of the monograph Health Services Epidemiology (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Banaras Hindu University, 1995), editorship of the monograph on contraceptive methods titled Essentials of Family Planning Methods—Adolescents Should Know for Their Planned Parenthood (Department of Science and Technology, Chandigarh, 2007), and authorship of Spiritual Health of Women published by Gyan Publishing House (2009). He has also been the editor of the Newsletter on Public Health published by the Indian Public Health Association, GMC Chapter, and served as co-editor of souvenirs for major national conferences.

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Prof. Goel is a sought-after resource person and expert in public health and community medicine. He has served as a trainer in Master Trainer workshops on Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (WHO and Rehabilitation Council of India sponsored, 2001), the Immunization Strengthening Project workshop (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 2003), and capacity-building programmes on National Rural Health Mission, Integrated Disease Surveillance Project and medical certification of cause of death. He has also participated as a panel member and chair in numerous scientific sessions at national and international conferences, contributing to discussions on themes including tribal health, non-communicable diseases, anaemia and vaccination strategies. His role as a reviewer and referee extends to multiple national journals including Internet Journal of Health, Internet Journal of Biological Anthropology, Indian Journal of Community Medicine and Indian Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine.

Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Prof. Goel holds several important leadership positions and institutional responsibilities. He serves as Member of the Editorial Board of the Indian Journal of Public Health published by the Indian Public Health Association, and as Member of the Editorial Board of the Internet Journal of Biological Anthropology. He is also a Member of the Board of Studies in the Syndicate of Panjab University and has been appointed as an External Examiner to multiple universities including Banaras Hindu University, Himachal University, Kurukshetra University, Lucknow Medical University and others. He has served in various committees including the National Advisory Committee of Experts on Public Health (Panjab University), State Steering Committee on Public Health (Chandigarh Administration), and selection committees for public health specialists. As Nodal Officer and Coordinator, he has overseen training programmes for medical and paramedical personnel on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with the State AIDS Control Society. He has also acted as Honorary Secretary of the Indian Public Health Association, GMC Chapter, since 2002.

Awards, Honours & Professional Memberships

Prof. Goel's scholarly contributions and leadership have been recognized through multiple awards and honours. He received the PC Sen Best Paper Award for Rural Health Services at the 39th Indian Public Health Association (IPHA) Conference, Banaras Hindu University (1995). He was awarded a Fellowship by the Indian Public Health Association (FIPHA) at the 51st IPHA Conference, Kolkata (2007) and holds Fellowship from the International Medical Sciences Academy (FIMSA, 2009). He also holds Fellowship from the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM) and Fellowship from the Indian Society of Communicable Diseases (FISCD). Additionally, he was awarded on AIDS Day (December 1, 2005) by the State AIDS Control Society for coordinating training programmes for medical and paramedical personnel, and was awarded as Best Reader by Government Medical College, Chandigarh (March 2008). He holds Membership of the Academy of Medical Sciences (MAMS, 2007). Prof. Goel is a life member of more than 20 professional organizations related to public health, including the Indian Medical Association, Indian Public Health Association, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, Indian Society of Malaria and Other Communicable Diseases, International Union for Health Promotion and Education, and the Breast Feeding Promotion Network of India. He is also a Fellow of the Theosophical Society of India (since 1991).

Eligibility for Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Naveen Krishan Goel demonstrates exceptional strength as a researcher through his 226 publications in national and international journals, 40 book chapters and monographs, comprehensive portfolio of funded research projects, and supervision of 101 postgraduate research scholars. His research addresses critical public health challenges spanning epidemiology of communicable and non-communicable diseases, immunization strategies, maternal and child health, and emerging areas such as spiritual dimensions of healthcare. His work has been recognized through prestigious awards including the PC Sen Best Paper Award and fellowships from leading national and international academies. His sustained engagement in research over more than three decades, combined with active mentorship of the next generation of researchers and substantial contributions to academic discourse, reflects a commitment to advancing knowledge in public health and community medicine.

Prof. Dr. Naveen Krishan Goel is eligible for consideration for the Best Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels, in recognition of his prolific research output, substantial publications, successful research project completion, mentorship of postgraduate researchers, and sustained contributions to advancing the discipline of public health and community medicine.