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Team CFI

Maqsood Siddiqi

Prof. Maqsood Siddiqi - Chairman

Prof. Siddiqi is a Research Scientist with over 45 years of scientific research, teaching, public health and Institutional Management experience in India and abroad and held academic and research positions at S.K. Institute of Medical Sciences and the University of Kashmir, Srinagar (India), German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, (Germany), International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO), Lyon (France), Paterson Institute for Cancer Research in Manchester (U.K.) and M.D.Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Prof. Siddiqi was Director of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) during 1994-2001, and later that of Bose Institute, Kolkata, India, during 2001-2005, where he guided research and managed a large number of projects in diverse areas in cancer research. He established the Population-based Cancer Registry (PBCR) in Kolkata, in 1997. He has been associated with a large number of policy-making, regulatory, and advisory committees at National level in the field of cancer research in India. Prof. Siddiqi is the Founder and Chairman of the Cancer Foundation of India (since 2002), and he was the President of the Asian Pacific Organisation for Cancer Prevention (2020-2022).

His discovery of Caffeine-derived N-nitroso compounds and their implication in a high incidence of cancer oesophagus and stomach in Kashmir and his work on the cancer chemo-preventive role of curcumin and black tea is well cited in scientific literature. His recent work focuses on the primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, including the epidemiology of HPV infection and HPV vaccination. His current interests include the prevention of breast cancer. He is also a Co-PI of IARC (WHO) ongoing research trial on HPV Vaccination in India.

Besides his large number of research publications, he is co-editor of the book “Protective Effects of Tea on Human Health” CABI International, London, UK, 2006 and co-author of “FAQs on HPV Infection & its Prevention” 2010.

Among the prestigious Orations, Fellowships and Awards he received in India and abroad include the Golden Jubilee Subodh Mitra Memorial Oration, Kolkata, 2007; MS McLeod Research Oration at Adelaide, Australia; Cancer Prevention Grand Round CME lecture at MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, USA, 2007; Appreciation Medal for outstanding research in cancer from the Province of Pisa, Italy, 1997; Kamal Kumari National Award for “Science & Technology” for 2OO7. In addition, he has been an Ex-Officio Member of the Senate (2001-2005) and Chancellor’s Nominee to the Syndicate of Calcutta University (2008-2010); He is a Fellow of the West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology, 2003.

Sutapa Biswas

Sutapa Biswas - Executive Director

Ms. Sutapa Biswas is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cancer Foundation of India (CFI), Kolkata. She is a visionary leader in the field of cancer prevention and control, with a distinguished track record in innovating communication approaches and advocacy skills, both at policy and implementation levels.

Ms. Biswas received a post-graduate diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and was a documentary filmmaker with St. Xavier’s College (EMRC, UGC) for over 8 years. She has researched, scripted, and directed over 60 films independently on a range of topics, including 3 films on cancer that won National Awards from UGC-CEC. She has also been a guest lecturer of Communication studies in Calcutta University and St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata for over 15 years.

Ms. Biswas joined CFI in 2002 and has since provided guidance and leadership to the organization. Her current interests include health communication as a component of cancer prevention and control, with special emphasis on tobacco-related cancers, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.

Ms. Biswas has been the Principal Investigator of several projects, including:

  • Howrah Smoke-free project supported by Bloomberg Initiative, USA (2010-12).
  • Development of Health Communication Strategy for Optimizing Cervical Cancer Screening among Rural Women supported by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (2006-09).
  • Breast health education among young women supported by American Cancer Society, USA (2007-08).
  • Network project on breast cancer (2013-17) funded by DBT, Govt. of India, in 4 North Eastern states (Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura) on logistics of community level breast cancer awareness, creating clinics for BSE lessons and CBE, and developing Breast Clinics at local cancer treatment centers.

Ms. Biswas has also been a Coordinator of many projects at CFI on Anti-tobacco Policy advocacy, Cancer Communication, Cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccination, and Breast Health Education. She has successfully coordinated the recently concluded Network project on breast cancer (2013-17) funded by DBT, Govt. of India, in 4 North Eastern states (Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura) on logistics of community level breast cancer awareness, creating clinics for BSE lessons and CBE, and developing Breast Clinics at local cancer treatment centers.

Ms. Sutapa Biswas is a recipient of several prestigious fellowships, including:

  • Thomson Foundation Fellowship (TV production), at Cardiff, U.K, 1999.
  • International Partner’s Fellowship from American Cancer Society, USA, 2006.
  • Fellowship on Cancer Registration by International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO), Lyon, France, 2006.
  • Global Leadership training fellowship from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA, 2011.
  • UICC-APCASOT fellowship, at Cancer Council Queensland, Australia, 2013.

Her film on Tobacco-related Cancer (The Art of Living) was adjudged best film at UICC World Cancer Congress, Geneva 2008. She has several publications in peer reviewed journals and was instrumental in translating “A Practical Manual on Visual Screening for Cervical Neoplasia” by R. Sankaranarayanan and R. S. Wesley (IARC Publication No. 41) into Bengali in 2006.

She is a highly respected and admired leader in the field of cancer prevention and control. Her work has had a significant impact on the lives of many people in India and around the world.