Kamala Sohonie was an Indian biochemist who made history through her journey in higher education. She is widely recognised as the first Indian woman to receive a PhD in a scientific discipline, completing her doctorate at the University of Cambridge in 1939.
She completed her graduation from Bombay University with first-class marks before deciding to pursue higher studies and research. Her next step took her to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. At the time, opportunities for women to pursue advanced scientific education in India were limited.
Because she was a woman, however, she was initially denied admission. Born in 1911, Sohonie developed an interest in science early in life. In 1933, Sohonie applied to IISc as a research student in biochemistry. She remained at IISc until 1936 before moving to Cambridge in 1937 as a research student. She completed her PhD in 1939. She completed the degree in just 14 months, according to Cambridge’s Newnham College.
