Kamala Sohonie: The Chemist who Wanted to Feed a Nation
Kamala Sohonie: The Chemist who Wanted to Feed a Nation  
Podcast: Lost Women of Science
Published On: Thu May 28 2026
Description: In 1930s India, Kamala Baghvat dreamed of working alongside the world's greatest scientific minds. But she was repeatedly told “no” when she tried to work in the then male dominated field. Inspired by Gandhi, she used nonviolent protest to pry her way into some of India’s top laboratories. She became the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in biochemistry, and eventually, the first woman to lead India's Royal Institute of Science. Baghvat’s career centered around a topic she was passionate about: solving India’s malnutrition crisis. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices