Soniya Nityanand

Soniya Nityanand (born 6 September 1962) is an Indian immunologist and hematologist. She is currently serving as the Vice Chancellor of the King George's Medical University, Lucknow. In 2025, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for her contributions to medicine.

Early life and education Nityanand completed her MBBS and MD from King George's Medical College, Lucknow. She later obtained a PhD in Immunology from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 1996.

Career Nityanand began her academic career as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at King George's Medical College from October 1991 to November 1993.

In August 2023, Nityanand was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of King George's Medical University, Lucknow, becoming only the second woman to hold the post.

Awards and honours Nityanand has received several prestigious awards during her career: 2025: Padma Shri in Medicine National Bioscience Award for Career Development (2003–04) by the Department of Biotechnology Young Scientist Award (1990) by the Indian National Science Academy Dr. J.C. Patel and Dr. B.C. Mehta Award by the Association of Physicians of India (2000) Dr. N.N. Gupta Gold Medal Chancellor's Medal for the Best Medical Student