New Delhi: A Meerut-based Indian girl has been a part of the team of seven researchers who have pulled off the breakthrough of determining the structure of the deadly Zika Virus.
Devika Sirohi, a doctoral student at Purdue University in the United States, was the youngest member of the team.
The 29-year-old, who was born and brought up in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, completed her schooling from the city-based Dayawati Modi Academy. She then went to Delhi University for further studies and pursued honours in biochemistry. Also, she did her MSc from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.
The breakthrough which reveals crucial insights about the development of effective treatmentswas landed upon by the team in four months. Out of the seven-member team, three were professors and four students, including Devika.
The discovery will help doctors and researchers to find a cure for the deadly disease that has been reported in 33 countries
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today congratulated Devika saying the entire country was proud of her achievement.
"Congratulations to Ms Devika Sirohi from Meerut, who is part of the US team that has successfully decoded Zika virus," he tweeted.
The Home Minister said Devika not only made her family but also the country proud.
"The achievement of Ms Devika Sirohi highlights the importance of girl child education. Our focus should be on 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'," he said.
