Director The India Nutrition Initiative
Iodine Global Network
Dr Sankar is a medical graduate from the University of Madras. He has specialised in internal medicine. Dr Sankar was the head of Thyroid Research Centre and department of endocrinology in the Defence Research and Development Organization under the Ministry of Defence and retired from Army Medical Corps in the rank of Colonel after 24 years of service.
Dr Sankar has been actively involved with Iodine Deficiency Disorders elimination activities in India and in the south Asia region. In recognition of his contribution in this field, he was awarded the Sir Sriram Memorial Award by the National Academy of Medical Sciences of India in 1997 and the Sivanthi Adityan Gold Medal by the Association of Physician of India in the year 1990. He has been a member of the Steering Committee on Universal Salt Iodisation of the Government of India and was the Vice President of the Thyroid Association of India.
Dr Sankar has been actively involved with programme evaluation and micronutrient deficiency elimination programs in India and south Asia. He has published over 125 scientific publications in national and international journals.
Dr Sankar has worked with the Micronutrient Initiative as their Regional Technical Advisor and then with the UNICEF as a Project Officer in the India Country Office at Delhi. He was the Regional Representative, South Asia for the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) for 10 years and established GAIN’s presence in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Dr Sankar served as Director, Nutrition at Tata Trusts and Director of The India Nutrition Initiative. He also supports several organization as technical advisor.
Dr Sankar Serves on the Board of NDDB Foundation for Nutrition and Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI).
