Nizam alumni make their mark in science and public policy

Prof. Rafi Ahmed, a member of the 1968 batch, has been selected for the 2026 Distinguished Scientist Award by the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI). The prestigious award recognises major contributions to cancer research.

Ahmed is Director of the Emory Vaccine Center and a professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. His research has made significant contributions to the understanding of T-cell exhaustion, immune memory and antiviral immunity, areas that have important implications for cancer immunotherapy. The award is scheduled to be presented at the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting in Chicago in October.

The second alumnus in the news is former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin, a member of the 1980 batch. Akbaruddin has been appointed as a part-time, non-official director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India for a four-year term, with effect from August 24, 2026.

A 1985-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Akbaruddin served as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and was also the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. He is currently associated with the Kautilya School of Public Policy in Hyderabad.

The achievements of Ahmed and Akbaruddin underline the wide-ranging impact of Nizam College alumni across scientific research, international diplomacy and public policy, adding another notable chapter to the institution’s long academic legacy.