Barnali Das

About Barnali Das

Laboratory Medicine should be the leader of modern medicine because it anchors multiple disciplines like Clinical Biochemistry or Chemical Pathology, Immunology, Toxicology, Haematopathology, Histopathology, Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular Biology and many more. Together these cater for almost every aspect of patient care and patient safety – from diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, monitoring, research, innovation, medical education, and health care management ecosystem. Here's why it deserves a central role as the leader of modern medicine.

Clinical Decision Support:

Nearly 90 percent of medical decisions are based on labs – from screening to routine diagnosis  and cancer diagnosis, and from acute infections to chronic diseases.

Bridge between Science and Evidence Based Medicine: 

Laboratory Medicine spans basic biochemical sciences and caters every clinical specialty. It serves as the bridge influencing all branches of medicine.

Cornerstone of Personalized/Precision Medicine: 

Biomarkers, molecular, and genomic testing are revolutionizing patient care.

Innovators in Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence:

Initiatives like lab automation, middleware, electronic health record, clinical decision support, machine learning, deep-learning-based algorithms, digital pathology, image-based AI diagnosis, and telepathology are redefining diagnostic workflows, expanding access, and boosting efficiency globally.

Key in Public Health & Systems Thinking:

Lab physicians have warned that disease is as much social as biological – and have shaped public health policies. We have experienced that during COVID time.

Paradigm Shift: From Unsung Warriors in Lab Coats to Leaders in Health Care Ecosystem

We were unsung Lab warriors as we often worked “behind the instruments, laptops or microscopes,” yet our oversight underpins accurate evidence-based treatment plans, antimicrobial stewardship, and healthcare safety. Therefore, there is a paradigm shift from Unsung Warriors in Lab Coats to Leaders in the Health Care Ecosystem.

In Summary:

Laboratory Medicine is no longer just a backstage player – it is the engine powering diagnosis, therapy selection, innovation, public health, and system quality. By stepping into leadership – through education, modern technology, public communication, and policy engagement –  diagnosticians can reposition the specialty as the central pillar of 21st century medicine.

What I Have Done to Raise the Profile?

Quoting one magazine cover story here:

Dr Barnali has come a long way but she is still so full of dreams and aspirations for the future. “If you put passion and dedication in your work, it will give meaning to your life,” she philosophizes.

Dr. Barnali Das, Lead Consultant - Laboratory Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, is the lady who plays multiple roles throughout her professional and academic life. She is the Chair of Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) India Section (formerly American Association of Clinical Chemistry, India).

Dr. Barnali Das  –  a prominent leader in laboratory medicine  –  currently also serves as:

• Adjunct Faculty, KMC, Manipal, MAHE.

• Founder Member, CAHO.

• Executive Member, Scientific Division, International Federation of Clinical Chemistry & Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) 2018-2023.

• Asia Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine Scientific Committee Working Group (Harmonised Reporting of Protein Electrophoresis and Biochemical Monoclonal Gammopathy Testing).

• NABL Assessor & College of American Pathologist Inspector.

• Reviews Editor, Practical Laboratory Medicine, Elsevier till 2024.

• Advisor & Core Committee Member, ICMR Taskforce on Establishment of Reference Intervals in Indian Population (TERIIP).Affairs (SGA).

• Recognized as a Fellow of ADLM/AACC and Fellow of AMBI, and active in multiple global committees (IFCC C RIDL, ICMR TERIIP, IFCC SD, IFCC C STFT and ADLM Global Lab Quality).