Dr. Ragini Tilak is a distinguished Professor of Microbiology with over 25 years of experience in medical education, clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, and translational research. She began her career as a Senior Resident at PGIMER, Chandigarh, before serving as Lecturer and Assistant Professor at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. She subsequently joined the Department of Microbiology at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where she progressed through the academic ranks from Lecturer to Professor. She also served as the Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology (2015–2018) and continues to contribute significantly to teaching, research, and academic leadership.

Research Contributions

Dr. Tilak has established herself as a leading researcher in medical microbiology, medical mycology, antimicrobial resistance, fungal diagnostics, HIV-associated opportunistic infections, intensive care infections, immunotherapy, and infectious disease diagnostics. She has successfully supervised 12 MD/MSc dissertations and co-supervised over 50 postgraduate thesis, along with supervising 4 Ph.D. scholars and co-supervising 8 doctoral candidates.

Her research has been supported by prestigious funding agencies including:

• Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
• Council of Science & Technology, Uttar Pradesh

She has led several high-impact projects on cryptococcosis, beta-D-glucan diagnostics, implantable immunotherapeutic patches for oral cancer, antimicrobial resistance, and innovative fungal disease diagnostics, with cumulative research funding exceeding ₹2.4 crore.

Publications & Scholarly Achievements

Dr. Tilak has an outstanding academic publication record comprising:

• 48 international journal publications
• 99 national journal publications
• Presentations at 6 international conferences
• Presentations at 30 national conferences
• Presentations at 15 state-level conferences

She has also organized major scientific events, including serving as Treasurer of MICROCON 2011, Scientific Secretary of UPMICROCON (2005 & 2015), and organizing the National Workshop on Diagnostic Mycology (2024).

Innovation & Intellectual Property

Dr. Tilak is a granted patent holder for an antimicrobial composition and its method of preparation (Patent No. 546016, granted in July 2024), highlighting her commitment to translating laboratory research into practical healthcare solutions.

Awards & Professional Recognition

Her academic excellence has been recognized through several prestigious honors, including:

• INSA Visiting Fellowship (2006)
• FIMSA Fellowship (2026)
• IMS Publication Awards (2021–2024)
• IMS Excellence Award for COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis
• Best Poster Award in Mycology (UPMICROCON 2009)
• Second Prize in Poster Presentation at ISMM 2023

She has also held important leadership positions including:

• President, UP-UK Microcon (2025)
• Vice President, UP-UK Microcon (2024)
• Executive Council Member, Indian Society of Medical Mycology (North Zone)

Professional Memberships

Dr. Tilak is an active member of several renowned scientific organizations, including:

• Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists (IAMM)
• Indian Medical Association (IMA)
• Indian Society of Medical Mycology (ISMM)
• International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM)
• Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine
• Various regional microbiology professional bodies

Eligibility for the Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Ragini Tilak is highly eligible for the Best Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels based on her exceptional and sustained contributions to medical microbiology and infectious disease research. Her eligibility is supported by:

• More than 25 years of excellence in academic teaching, research, and clinical microbiology.
• Leadership of multiple externally funded research projects from DST, SERB, ICMR, and CST-UP with substantial grant support.
• A remarkable publication record of 147 peer-reviewed research papers (48 international and 99 national).
• Successful supervision of numerous MD, MSc, and Ph.D. scholars, demonstrating excellence in research mentorship.
• A granted patent reflecting innovation and translational research impact.
• Significant contributions to medical mycology, antimicrobial resistance, fungal diagnostics, and infectious disease management, including research addressing major public health challenges.
• National and international recognition through fellowships, publication awards, scientific leadership roles, and conference presentations.
• Continued service to the scientific community through professional societies, conference organization, and academic leadership.

Considering her distinguished research achievements, innovation, sustained scholarly productivity, research funding success, mentorship, and leadership in microbiology, Dr. Ragini Tilak is an excellent and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award in the Scientific Laurels.