Debashis Mitra is currently a DBT-Distinguished Scientist at National Centre for Cell Science, Pune since 2023. He was a Scientist at National Centre for Cell Science from 1998 to 2020 and a Professor of Eminence at NCCS from 2020 to 2023. In between, he has served as a Director of DBT-Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad from 2017 to 2020 and also as Interim CEO of DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance for brief period from 2022 to 2023. He did his PhD from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata in 1988. He did his postdoctoral work in the area of Molecular Immunology with Prof. Elvin A. Kabat at Columbia University, New York followed by tenure of junior faculty at Cornell University Medical College, New York in HIV research before joining NCCS in 1998.

Dr. Mitra’s primary research areas of interest have been molecular and cellular basis of HIV pathogenesis, host-virus interaction and anti-viral drug discovery. His laboratory has contributed significantly in our current understanding of HIV-1 pathogenesis. His findings have not only increased our understanding about the role of viral proteins in HIV pathogenesis but have also advanced our knowledge about the modulation and function of host proteins during HIV infection. Finally, his laboratory has also identified a number of potent anti-HIV molecules, some of which are now being further studied for potential development for antiviral therapeutics. He has published close to hundred papers till date and has several US and Indian patents to his credit.

Dr. Mitra has received several honours and awards. He has been an elected Fellow of Indian National Science Academy, The Indian Academy of Sciences and The National Academy of Sciences in India. He was a Tata Innovation Fellow from 2012 to 2017 and was a JC Bose National Fellow from 2018 to 2023. He was awarded Y.T. Thathachari prestigious award for Biological Science in 2011 and OPPI Scientist of the year award for 2012. Dr Mitra brings with him more than 20 years of experience in research leadership positions and international interactions.