21 Indian dermatologists from top medical institutes have been named among the world’s top 2 per cent scientists in Stanford’s 2025 list. Curated by Professor John P.A. Ioannidis in collaboration with Elsevier, this honour celebrates their revolutionary research, clinical contributions, and consistent impact in dermatology.
How does Stanford come up with this ranking? The database assesses citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted h-index, citations based on authorship positions, and a composite score called c-score. Only the top 100,000 scientists worldwide, or those in the top 2 per cent of their field, appear on this prestigious list.
But what does this mean for the field of dermatology? It highlights India’s growing influence in clinical innovation, research leadership, and turning science into better patient care.
Celebrating India’s leaders in dermatology
The recognition of these 21 Indian dermatologists highlights India’s expanding impact in skin science, research, and innovative patient care. The prominent names include:
- Dr. Maninder Singh Setia, a Consultant Dermatologist and Epidemiologist, stands out for his expertise in statistical modelling and epidemiological research.
- Dr. Shyam B. Verma, founder of Nirvana Skin Clinic, Vadodara, is globally known for his pioneering work in sociocultural dermatology and topical steroid abuse awareness.
- Dr. Feroze Kaliyadan, Head of Dermatology at Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, brings over two decades of academic and research excellence, with more than 200 publications to his credit.
- Dr. Amrinderjit Kanwar, Director of Dr A.J. Kanwar Clinic and former PGI Chandigarh head, is celebrated for his work on vitiligo, pediatric dermatology, and academic leadership.
- Prof. Archana Singal, Head of Dermatology at University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, brings over 30 years of teaching and research experience. She is a leader in tropical dermatology, focusing on leprosy, cutaneous tuberculosis, and nail disorders, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of IJDVL.
- Dr. Ananta Khurana, Professor at Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi, combines clinical practice with academic research in dermatology, venereology, and leprosy, mentoring the next generation of specialists.
- Prof. Kabir Sardana, also at Dr RML Hospital, is recognized for his expertise in acne, hidradenitis, and JAK/STAT signalling research. He is contributing significantly to autoimmune and steroid-modified dermatoses studies.
- Prof. Virendra Nath Sehgal played a foundational role in establishing dermatology departments across India and authored seminal textbooks in tropical dermatology and leprosy.
- Dr. Anant Patil, Professor at Dr DY Patil Medical College, focuses on clinical pharmacology, urticaria, and skin allergy research. He also serves as a peer reviewer for international journals.
- Prof. Vinod K. Sharma, Dean and Head of Dermatology at Sharda University, has over four decades of leadership in academic dermatology, venereology, and contact dermatitis, with numerous national and international awards.
- Dr. Rashmi Sarkar, Director Professor at Lady Hardinge Medical College, is the founder of the Pigmentary Disorders Society and the Indian Women’s Dermatologic Association. She has contributed widely to pigmentary disorders and pediatric dermatology, authoring over 200 publications, 80 chapters, and 16 books. She also serves as President-Elect of IADVL and Vice-President of the International Society of Dermatology.
- Dr. Davinder Parsad, Professor at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and University of Rome, specializes in vitiligo and pigmentary disorders. He has nearly 300 publications, 140 on vitiligo, chaired 150+ international conferences, and led the Asian Society for Pigment Cell Research.
- Dr. Vikram Kumar Mahajan, Professor at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, focuses on contact dermatitis, subcutaneous mycoses, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and leprosy. He also serves as Section Editor for the Indian Dermatology Online Journal.
- Dr. Devinder Mohan Thappa, Professor at JIPMER, Puducherry, has over 675 publications covering leprosy, STDs, and AIDS. He has held leadership positions, including Dean (Research) at JIPMER and Editor-in-Chief for multiple dermatology journals.
- Dr. Anupam Das, Associate Professor at KPC Medical College, Kolkata, specializes in skin, hair, nail disorders, and aesthetic dermatology. A gold medalist in dermatology, he has published extensively and presented at national and international conferences.
- Dr. Niti Khunger, Professor at Safdarjung Hospital, is a pioneer in dermatosurgery, acne, chemical peels, and sclerotherapy. Former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, she has authored national guidelines and multiple books.
- Dr. Venkataram Mysore, Director of Venkat Centre for Skin and Plastic Surgery, is renowned for hair transplantation, dermatopathology, and community dermatology. He has trained dozens of dermatologists internationally and is recognized for ethical practice and patient care for underserved populations.
- Dr. Jaishree Sharad, celebrity cosmetic dermatologist, has over 23 years of experience in aesthetic dermatology and laser treatments. She has authored best-selling books, trained internationally, and conducted hundreds of workshops and lectures worldwide.
- Dr. Tasleem Arif, based in Srinagar, is recognised for pioneering research in scleroderma, vitiligo, and botulinum toxin innovations. His work on esophageal involvement in systemic sclerosis has gained international attention.
- Dr. Chander Grover, Professor at UCMS & GTB Hospital, excels in dermatosurgery, nail disorders, and clinical research. Founder Secretary of the Nail Society of India, she has authored multiple books and delivered over 150 invited lectures.
- Dr. Asheesh Gupta is a rising leader in dermatology research, with a high-impact h-index of 12 and over 550 citations in 2024 alone. He is contributing significantly to clinical and academic advancements.
What this recognition means
It is more than just recognition to be among the top 2 per cent of scientists in the world. This recognition shows long-term effects on research, leadership, clinical innovation, and global dermatology standards.
It proves India has rising world-class dermatology experts, offering valuable opportunities for businesses, academics, and healthcare leaders. These 21 Indian dermatologists are shaping dermatology’s future through research in tropical diseases, cosmetic procedures, and pigmentary treatments.
Stanford’s recognition of them in 2025 is a result of decades of research, teaching, and patient-centered treatment. This opens up great opportunities for collaboration and new ideas in India’s dermatological industry.