Dr. Arunaloke Chakrabarti is an esteemed medical mycologist and the current Director of Doodhadhari Burfani Hospital and Research Centre in Haridwar, India. He previously served as the Head and Professor of Medical Microbiology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, where he also led the Center for Advanced Research in Medical Mycology, the WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Fungi of Medical Importance, and the National Culture Collection of Pathogenic Fungi. With over 41 years of experience in fungal diseases, Professor Chakrabarti is a key figure in advancing medical mycology in India and globally.
Educationally, he completed his MBBS from Medical College, Calcutta in 1981, and an MD in Microbiology from PGIMER, Chandigarh, followed by a Diplomate of National Board (Microbiology) in 1987. His notable achievements include fellowships from the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), the National Academy of Sciences (India), the Infectious Disease Society of America, and the European Confederation of Medical Mycology.
Professor Chakrabarti has held prominent roles in various international organizations, including as past president of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM), Co-chair of the ISHAM Asia Fungal Working Group, and international coordinator of ISHAM’s working groups on Fungal Sinusitis and Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis. He also chairs the Fungal Infection Study Forum and is an international adviser for the Leading International Fungal Education (LIFE) organization.
As a distinguished researcher, Professor Chakrabarti has authored 477 research papers on fungal diseases, with an impressive Scopus h-index of 65 and a Google Scholar h-index of 83. His recent editorial contributions include books such as Fungal Infections in Asia: The Eastern Frontier of Mycology and Clinical Practice of Medical Mycology in Asia. Additionally, he serves as an editor or associate editor for journals like Mycoses, Medical Mycology, Current Fungal Infections Report, and Journal of Medical Microbiology.
In addition to his research and academic roles, Professor Chakrabarti has been deeply involved in training programs in infection control and laboratory practices, including a WHO Research Training stint at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and training in hospital infection control in the UK.