Project Principal Investigator


Deputy Director - Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi

Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi is Head Neck Cancer Surgeon and Deputy Director of Center for Cancer Epidemiology at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. He has been invited as visiting faculty in 44 institutions in 32 countries. He is the editor of the Textbook of Head and Neck Surgery and the Associate Editor of the International Journal of Head and Neck surgery. He has authored more than 200 papers in international peer reviewed journals. He is the Principal Investigator of several pivotal randomized clinical trials. His main area of interest is prevention and early detection of oral cancer. He is the recipient of the prestigious NIH R01 grant for research on tobacco carcinogenesis.

Dr. Chaturvedi occupies important positions in several prestigious organizations - Secretary General, International Federation of Head Neck Oncologists; Global Coordinator, World Head Neck Cancer Day; Councilor, International Academy of Oral Oncology; Chairman, Oral Cancer Foundation, Indian Dental Association; Founder, Head Neck cooperative oncology group; Founder, Indian Society of Thyroid Surgeons; Founder, Oral Cancer Task Force; Member, International Advisory Board, American Head Neck Societies, Secretary, Action Council Against Tobacco – India. He has received several awards - Excellence in Cancer Care Award, 2017; Nana Palkar Smruti Award for Excellence in Patient Care, 2017; Health Award for Excellence in Oncology, 2016; Iconic Leadership Award, World CSR Day, 2016; Sushruta Award, 2015; BMJ Award for Health Advocacy, 2014; Judy Wilkenfield Award, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, 2013; Global Cancer Ambassador, American Cancer Society, 2011; WHO Director General Award for leadership in tobacco control, 2010; Maxwell Robert Byers Award, American Head and Neck society, 2010; Outstanding Young Indian Award, 2008.

Dr. Chaturvedi is the founder of Maharashtra Cancer Warriors that is offering voluntary oncology services in 24 district hospitals of Maharashtra. He is the coordinator of the oncology services on Lifeline Express, world’s first cancer hospital on train. He conceptualized, established and launched India’s first Online Oncology Tutorial that is already being employed by several state governments in India.

Dr. Chaturvedi has tremendous interest in Public Health issues especially related to tobacco, areca nut and alcohol control. He was invited as a speaker to the United Nations Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases, 2011 in New York.