From Cricket Dreams to Medical Feats: An Interview with Dr. Vityala Yethindra, the Youngest Scientist in Medicine

Dr. Vityala Yethindra, recognized as the World’s Youngest Scientist in Medicine, boasts an impressive resume that includes holding 12 world records, earning accolades on both national and international stages, authoring two books, and publishing over 40 research articles in reputable journals. Furthermore, Dr. Yethindra has completed 51 medical courses from esteemed universities.

Initially, Dr. Yethindra harbored aspirations of a career as a professional cricket player during childhood. However, following the passing of a beloved grandfather and facing challenging family circumstances, a decision was made to pursue a career in medicine in later years. This journey commenced with enrollment in a general medicine program at the International Higher School of Medicine in Kyrgyzstan. Encountering a series of discouraging experiences during medical school, Dr. Yethindra responded with unwavering dedication, choosing to isolate from external influences and diligently focus on academic pursuits.

Here is an exclusive interview with Dr. Vityala Yethindra in conversation with Youth Incorporated.

Why did you choose to take science as your career opinion?

My grandfather and grandmother both passed away from breast cancer and heart attacks when I was a teenager since there was no proper medical care available in hospitals. That was something that was always on my mind, so I decided to pursue medicine as a profession and chose biology, physics, and chemistry as one of my pre-university course requirements. From that moment on, I wished to enter hospitals, medical research, and general public health awareness programs.

What is your goal in life? Do you wish to contribute to the welfare of society through your education and achievements?

I always tried to attempt to do new and difficult things, such as completing 51 courses in nine days, authoring books, conducting research, working continuously in a lab, and running campaigns.

I had a vision of helping and empowering many more students of various ages and countries. I want to increase my knowledge of more new things and gain more expertise in my field of work by discovering and repurposing drugs for various diseases and helping in the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

I had dream projects and initiatives that I would work on to address issues like child sexual exploitation, unemployment, natural disasters and the climate emergency. In the future, I want to keep working as a doctor, researcher, philanthropist, and activist in order to inspire future generations to work harder and accomplish more by serving humanity and conducting medical research.

Could you tell us your 5 key achievements till now?

In 2019, I received six world records and was declared the World’s Youngest Scientist in Medicine for my contributions to medical research and literature. 

In 2020, I received the Guinness World Record for the “Longest title of a book” with 3,777 words and 26,021 characters for my book “The Historical Development of the Heart i.e., from its Formation from…”

In 2021, I received the MedEngage Award from Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. and was declared “Champion of the Champions” at the MedEngage Scholarship Summit for my inspiring research works, and academics.

For the years 2020-2021, I was honoured with the Karmaveer Chakra Award instituted by iCONGO and the United Nations for my contributions to humanity, education, and medical research.

From 2020 to 2022, I conducted the Yethindia COVID-19 Awareness Campaign, the world’s first QR-code-based awareness campaign, which was successful in raising awareness and disseminating the right information about COVID-19 by supporting campaigns such as “Digital India” and “Save Paper, Save Trees, Save Planet.” As part of the campaign, I reached many school students, donated masks and sanitisers, and provided proper orientation on personal hygiene. This campaign received appreciation from Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s Secretariat), New Delhi.

How has your research helped you and how are you planning to channel it in your work?

Researching helped me to learn new things and gain more expertise in my field of work. I evaluated the safety and efficacy of drugs such as fluoxetine and doxycycline in vitro, umifenovir, heparin, itolizumab, and rivaroxaban in patients with COVID-19 and obtained successful results. I reported and published rare cases of diseases such as frontal lobe epilepsy, neurofibromatosis, and ischemic stroke. My important and successful research activities over the last three years included cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, tuberculosis, stroke, leprosy, and COVID-19.

Even though the majority of my medical research was initially unsuccessful, I never gave up. I persevered in my efforts, corrected mistakes, kept up with new information, and acquired new abilities. Finally, in 2019, after three years of nonstop work, I was successful in my medical research and recognised as a scientist. 

It’s crucial to highlight that I remained extremely passionate about my work, despite numerous technical and health issues that arose. I overcame all obstacles using problem-solving skills, patience, and hard work.

Carrying out research is becoming a crucial part of every profession and every professional. What role does research play in one’s career and why do you think its gaining significance? 

Understanding numerous medical conditions, diagnoses, and treatments requires research. As soon as my medical course in 2016 started, I developed a tremendous interest in the research field. I was encouraged to conduct research studies by Dr. Tugolbai Tagaev and Prof. Sagynali Mamatov, who also introduced me to hospitals and labs.

Research can help us find answers and solutions to questions and problems. This includes collecting data, reviewing and analysing data, and interpreting the details to support a solution. Research skills are important to help one’s own career, which is associated with gaining insights, improving decision-making, publishing findings, and inspiring others in the field.

You have so many achievements in your hat. It’s tough to keep going. What has been your motivation to work so well? 

I always think to bring changes in things which are different, difficult and longed to do. The five-word sentence I always trusted is “Never give up and quit.” I have always embraced challenges, and challenges are necessary for growth and a constructive outlook on self-correction.

Science has never been my best subject, but I opted to take medicine in college because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and achieve my goals. As you are aware medicine was quite difficult. I studied very late into the night and received a distinction.

My daily motivation comes from finishing my work at the end of the day and from knowing that I have improved the lives of numerous patients and their families.  I’ll never forget the joy in their expressions, and seeing them get better makes me want to go to work. That is the reason I became a doctor and scientist.

What word of advice would you like to give to the youth of India? 

Begin to think for yourself. Do not just rely on advice from others, but rely on your rational analysis of observed realities to draw your own inferences.

I urge the younger generation and people in general that being consistent is key to achieving anything and passion-driven subjects are always successful when you try and plan with your good ideas. I always recommend everyone to just go and try but not leave it behind, because for things to be successful it will take time and in the process, you need patience, perseverance, consistency, hard effort and smart work.

Even so, this is merely a suggestion or input rather than advice.