Biography
Prof. Dr. Mala Dharmalingam
Prof. Dr. Mala Dharmalingam, the Director and Head of Endocrinology at the Bangalore Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, has over 35 years of experience in the field of endocrinology. She completed her MBBS from Madras Medical College, followed by an M.D. in General Medicine from SCB Medical College, Cuttack (Utkal University). She further specialized in endocrinology, earning her D.M. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Dr. Dharmalingam served at MS Ramaiah Medical College for approximately 30 years, where she held the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Endocrinology. Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Dharmalingam has received numerous accolades. In 2020, she was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club. She was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) in 2019, and the Economic Times named her the Most Inspiring Doctor in 2018. Other significant recognitions include the Dr. B.C. Roy Award from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Bangalore in 2015 and the Doctors' Day Award from the Family Physician of India, Bangalore, also in 2015. She has been a prominent figure at various medical conferences, delivering guest lectures at APICON 85 for Karnataka API in 2014 and receiving the Vocational Excellence Award from MGR University, Chennai, in 2012. In 2010, she was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award by the Geriatric Society of India. Her research has also been highly recognized, with awards from the International Congress of Endocrinology in 2004 and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) in both 1996 and 2003. She also won the prestigious IDF Award for paper presentations in 1996 and 2003, along with the Academic Excellence Award from MS Ramaiah Medical College for the year 2003. Dr. Dharmalingam has delivered numerous orations, such as the RJ Dash Oration for the Karnataka Endocrine Society (KES) in 2021 and the JS Bajaj Oration for NAMS in 2019. She also gave the MMS Ahuja Oration at ESICON in 2017 and the Dr. C. Munichoodappa Oration at RSSDI in Mangalore in 2014. Her other notable orations include the Sunil Kumar Basu Oration (Diabetes Association of India, Calcutta, 2013), the Prof. Sam G.P. Moses Oration (Madras Medical College, Chennai, 2013), and the P.N. Shah Memorial Oration (Endocrine Society of India, Calcutta, 2012). In 2012, she delivered the Banting and Best Oration at the Diabetes Association of India in Nagpur. She was also recognized with the Presidential Oration by KRSSDI in 2007. Internationally, she presented the Grand Endocrinology & Metabolism General Rounds at McMaster University Health Sciences Center in Canada in 2003. Earlier in her career, she delivered the BN Jirge Oration in Belgaum in 1999. In terms of academic contributions, Dr. Dharmalingam has around 270 publications to her credit and has been involved in over 300 multicentric phase 3 trials. Her dedication and achievements have made her a prominent figure in the field of endocrinology, both in India and globally.