Shyamala Gopalan

Indian-American biomedical scientist and mother of Kamala Harris

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Shyamala Gopalan Harris

Shyamala Gopalan (April 7, 1938 – February 11, 2009) was an Indian-American biomedical scientist and cancer researcher. She was known for her work in the field of breast cancer research and her contributions to the understanding of progesterone receptors. Gopalan was also the mother of Kamala Harris, the 49th Vice President of the United States.

Early Life and Education

Shyamala Gopalan was born in Madras, India, in 1938. She was the daughter of P. V. Gopalan, a civil servant, and Rajam Gopalan. Her family was part of the Tamil Brahmin community. Gopalan showed an early interest in science and pursued her education in the field.

Gopalan attended the University of Delhi, where she earned her undergraduate degree in home science. She then moved to the United States to further her studies, enrolling at the University of California, Berkeley. At Berkeley, she completed her Ph.D. in nutrition and endocrinology in 1964. Her doctoral research focused on the role of hormones in breast cancer.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Gopalan embarked on a career in biomedical research. She worked at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she conducted pioneering research on the hormonal regulation of breast cancer. Her work contributed significantly to the understanding of how hormones like estrogen and progesterone influence the development and progression of breast cancer.

Gopalan's research was instrumental in the development of hormone-based therapies for breast cancer, which have become a standard treatment for certain types of the disease. She published numerous papers in scientific journals and was recognized for her contributions to the field.

Personal Life

In 1963, Shyamala Gopalan married Donald Harris, a Jamaican-American economist. The couple had two daughters, Kamala Harris and Maya Harris. Kamala Harris would go on to become the first female Vice President of the United States, while Maya Harris became a prominent lawyer and public policy advocate.

Gopalan and Harris divorced when their daughters were young, and Gopalan raised her children as a single mother. She instilled in them a strong sense of identity and a commitment to public service.

Legacy

Shyamala Gopalan's legacy extends beyond her scientific contributions. She was a role model for her daughters and an inspiration to many women in science. Her work in breast cancer research continues to impact the field, and her life story is a testament to the power of education and perseverance.

Related Pages

• Kamala Harris
• Breast cancer
• Hormonal therapy (oncology)