Who Is Shyamala Gopalan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on December 7, 1938, Shyamala Gopalan made significant contributions to the field of biomedical science before her passing in 2009. With an impressive academic background, she was known for her research in cancer and nutrition, significantly influencing our understanding of health and disease. By 2025, Gopalan would have been 86 years old, and her contributions continue to inspire many in scientific communities worldwide.
| Occupation | Civil Rights Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 7, 1938 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Madras, Madras Province, British India (present-day Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 11 February, 2009 |
| Died Place | Oakland, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Shyamala Gopalan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Shyamala Gopalan's height and weight are not broadly documented, she was known to carry herself with confidence and poise, characteristics often admired by her peers. The focus, however, remains primarily on her professional achievements rather than her physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Shyamala Gopalan was known to have been married to Donald Harris, with whom she had two daughters, Kamala Harris and Maya Harris. Their union and subsequent parenting style have been the subject of various discussions, especially given Kamala's rise in politics, most notably as the Vice President of the United States. Gopalan's dedication to family, alongside her professional career, illustrates the balance she maintained between personal life and her passion for science.
Shyamala Gopalan (December 7, 1938 – February 11, 2009) was a biomedical scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, whose work in isolating and characterizing the progesterone receptor gene has stimulated advances in breast biology and oncology.
She was the mother of Kamala Harris (former vice president of the United States who also served as attorney general of California and senator,) and Maya Harris, a lawyer and political commentator.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing in 2009, Shyamala Gopalan's estimated net worth was not widely reported, as her primary focus was on her research rather than financial endeavors. However, her legacy continues to flourish through her family's achievements. Kamala Harris's successful political career and Maya Harris's career as a lawyer and political commentator reflect the family's dedicated approach to their respective fields.
Career, Business, and Investments
Shyamala Gopalan's career spanned several significant roles within the biomedical research community. She worked at the University of California, Berkeley, and made groundbreaking discoveries regarding cancer and health. Gopalan's research focused heavily on the impact of diet on health outcomes and cancer risk, contributing valuable insights to nutritional science and public health. Her work remains influential, particularly in discussions around dietary factors in disease prevention.
In addition to her scientific endeavors, she was involved in various community activities and advocated for social justice, demonstrating her commitment to both her profession and public service.
Social Network
While Shyamala Gopalan was not active on social media platforms during her lifetime, her legacy continues to resonate in the digital age, where discussions about her work, life, and family frequently appear on social media. Her daughter, Kamala Harris, has an extensive social media presence where she echoes her mother’s values and encourages public discourse on science, justice, and equality.
Education
Shyamala Gopalan completed her undergraduate education at the University of Delhi in India before moving to the United States for higher studies. She obtained her Ph.D. in nutrition and endocrinology from the University of California, Berkeley. Gopalan's educational journey set the foundation for her illustrious career, showcasing the vital intersection of knowledge and advocacy.
In summary, though Shyamala Gopalan left this world in 2009, her scientific contributions, family legacy, and social impact remain significant, earning her a lasting place in history. As we reflect on her life in 2025, we celebrate not only her achievements but also the values she instilled in her daughters, echoing in the realms of science and politics today.
Shyamala conducted research in UC Berkeley's Department of Physiology and Cancer Research Lab. She worked as a breast cancer researcher at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Wisconsin. She worked for 16 years at Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and McGill University Faculty of Medicine.
She served as a peer reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and as a site visit team member for the Federal Advisory Committee. She also served on the President's Special Commission on Breast Cancer. She mentored dozens of students in her lab. For her last decade of research, Shyamala worked in the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
