Dr Soumya Swaminathan will deliver the 7th Villars Institute Distinguished Lecture, emphasizing the critical intersection between planet and human health. The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation was founded by her father, Professor M. S. Swaminathan, a pioneering agricultural scientist and leader of India’s Green Revolution. Dr Swaminathan now serves as Chair of the Foundation, continues this legacy, advancing its mission to strengthen sustainable agriculture, food security and the resilience of communities and ecosystems.

A pediatrician and globally recognized public health leader, Dr Swaminathan served as the World Health Organization’s first Chief Scientist, leading its science division and coordinating global research efforts, including the Solidarity clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a strong advocate for science-based policy, equitable access to healthcare and integrated approaches to climate, biodiversity and human well-being.