Paikamal: Bhubanananda Sahu, originally from Jamseth village under Paikamal block, is currently involved in developing medicine for cancer in the United States. He is the son of Anadi Charan Sahu and the late Manjuri Parvati Sahu, and has two siblings — brother Chandrabhanu Sahu and sister Leelavati Sahu.
His father, Anadi Charan Sahu, ran a small stationery shop and educated all his children through his hard work. Bhubanananda was a bright student since childhood. He studied at the local Mandosil High School up to class 10, then joined Padmapur College for higher secondary education. After completing his undergraduate degree at OUAT Bhubaneswar, he pursued a master’s degree in agriculture from Bangalore.
He then completed a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the CCMB Institute in Hyderabad. With a scholarship, he moved to the U.S., where he spent seven years conducting research in various aspects of ophthalmology (eye science) in Boston, Massachusetts.
Currently, Dr. Sahu is engaged in developing medicines for cancer. He is also working on treatments for heart disease, COVID vaccines, and similar illnesses. He credits his success to the guidance of several teachers, including retired educator Daitari Majhi, Gokulananda Dansana, the late Chintamani Sahu, the late Thabira Pradhan, Dhoba Pradhan, and Sarat Chandra Mahanti. He also learned a lot from his own parents, whom he continues to remember with respect and gratitude.
Whenever he visits his native village, he makes time to meet his former teachers, friends, and close relatives. Dr. Sahu has expressed his desire to return to India in a few years and work on developing effective medicines for diseases like cancer.