Heena Tabassum

Dr. Heena Tabassum is a Scientist E, at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, currently deployed as a Technical Expert at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Her work focuses on haematology and non-communicable diseases, particularly blood disorders such as hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease and thalassemia. She has led major national initiatives, notably the validation of indigenous diagnostic kits under the Make in India programme for the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, and the establishment of India’s first hospital-based venous thromboembolism registry (i-RegVed). She has coordinated multicentric implementation research, capacity-building programmes, and the ICMR Nanomedicine Task Force. She holds a PhD in Toxicology with postdoctoral experience in Germany. A recipient of several awards, she is committed to mentoring young researchers. Fun fact: she enjoys long walks and is learning swimming as an adult.