Saswati Das

About Saswati Das

Pathology ought to be reinstated at the forefront of contemporary medicine, as it is the sole medical specialty that links the cellular with the systemic, the individual with the global, and the present with the predicted future in medicine. As a speciality pathology is uniquely equipped to act, both as a mirror and a map, reflecting the earliest deviations in health while charting trajectories of disease, resilience, and recovery. In the 21st century, where medicine is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, data-driven, and environmentally aware, pathology is no longer a supporting actor in the clinical script, it must be recognized as the strategic backbone of precision and preventive healthcare. From diagnosing disease at its onset through molecular biomarkers to anticipating outbreaks via real-time lab enabled surveillance, pathology has evolved from from bench to bedside. Our scope now includes decoding how human biology responds not only to pathogens but also to pollution, radiation, and climate stressors.

My own professional journey is a reflection of this renewed vision. I began my career in chemical pathology at one of the largest public hospitals in the region , where I quickly recognized that laboratory data when viewed through an integrative lens offered far more than confirmation of disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed unusual molecular patterns in affected individuals. These weren’t merely curiosities; they were evidence of systemic disruption at the biochemical level. That pivotal moment catalyzed my transition into the field of space health, where molecular disruptions are amplified and accelerated under microgravity, radiation, and isolation.

Through academic training with the International Space University, ESA, NASA, and CSA, I extended my pathology expertise into analyzing transcriptomic and metabolomic alterations in spaceflown models. I contributed to projects that track immune dysregulation, endothelial injury, bone resorption, and genomic changes which are equally relevant to astronauts on long duration missions and patients exposed to chronic stress and environmental toxins on earth.

Laboratories, though integral to diagnosis, are among the highest generators of biomedical waste, plastic consumption, and chemical emissions in healthcare. Recognizing this, I introduced a Green Lab model within a government teaching hospital. I implemented Minimum Testing Intervals, reengineered workflows for reagent use optimization, digitized test requisitions to minimize paper use and duplication, and designed a sustainable biomedical waste segregation and traceability system. These efforts not only reduced environmental burden but also improved operational efficiency and diagnostic quality.

Beyond institutional change, I see raising the profile of pathology as a discipline, as a global mission, as reflected in my leadership roles in international organizations such as the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), Association of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine and the European Federation of Laboratory Medicine. I’ve mentored young scientists across continents, advocating for a more inclusive generation of healthcare professionals. 

To me, pathology is no longer a solitary science of slides and samples, it is the connection between medicine, science, and society. It has the potential to forecast disease before it manifests, inform the public before health crises emerge, and adapt technologies for both deep space and underserved remote communities. My mission is to reposition pathology not just as a diagnostic discipline, but as a strategic engine of innovation, sustainability, and digital health.