Dr Anna Pulimood graduated in 1987 and completed her specialization in Pathology in 1995, both from CMC Vellore. She then trained in G.I. Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Immunohistochemical and Molecular studies. Her primary area of interest is Inflammatory Bowel Disorders, especially the differentiation of intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn’s disease. She completed a PhD in this field in 2010. Her histological criteria for the differentiation of intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn’s disease on mucosal biopsies have been widely accepted both nationally and internationally. Her interests in academia and management led to her holding several administrative posts in CMC, initially in the management of large institutional USAID grants, and then, for the most part, in the field of education, as the Vice Principal for the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum, Vice Principal for Human resource and since 2016, as the Principal. As Principal, her role involves planning for and management of all academic affairs and research of the Christian Medical College Vellore and its Medical and Allied Health courses.

In these roles she has been involved in leading a pan-institutional undergraduate curriculum review resulting in a revised curriculum that is currently being implemented; in the planning and managing of educational IT, the institutional library services, and elective students. More recently, she has been developing strategies to engage more faculty and students in high quality research including engagement with senior faculty mentors in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, starting a Research Promotion and Grants office and coordinating academic collaborations with some of the best Universities both inside and outside the country.

Apart from her academic interests, she helped start a Solid Waste recycling project with the help of a local NGO and Women’s Self- Help groups for all the nonmedical waste generated in the institution (over 10 tons a day). She continues to help the project as a member of their advisory committee.