What if breast cancer could be detected early without pain, radiation, or fear? That’s the vision that drove Dr Geetha Manjunath, a computer scientist turned health-tech innovator, to create something revolutionary: Thermalytix, a non-invasive, AI-based breast cancer screening tool that’s transforming women’s healthcare in India.
Her journey began with personal loss. After losing two family members to late-stage breast cancer, Geetha realized how many women, especially in India, never get screened until it’s too late. Instead of moving on, she turned that grief into action.
Leaving behind a well-established career in IT research, she founded NIRAMAI Health Analytix in 2016 — a bold step for someone already at the top of her field. The name NIRAMAI stands for Non-Invasive Risk Assessment with Machine Intelligence, and in Sanskrit, it means being healthy. That’s exactly what her mission is about — ensuring every woman, regardless of background, can get screened with dignity, privacy, and care.
How Dr Geetha Manjunath Is Saving Lives
Geetha’s invention, Thermalytix, uses a simple thermal imaging device to detect early signs of breast cancer. It’s portable, radiation-free, pain-free, and ensures complete privacy during screening.
So far, over 75,000 women in 29 cities across India have been screened — many through free health camps in underserved communities. Her innovation has made it possible for women who never had access to mammograms to get life-saving screenings.
Beyond the statistics, it’s the impact that matters — catching breast cancer early means fewer women face the trauma and cost of late-stage treatment.
A Role Model for Every Woman Starting Her Second Innings
Dr. Geetha Manjunath’s story isn’t just about innovation; it’s about reinvention. After spending decades in technology and AI, she decided to start over, in her 40s, to build something meaningful. And that’s what makes her so inspiring for women who are thinking about restarting their careers.
Whether you’ve taken a break for motherhood, caregiving, or simply lost your professional rhythm, Geetha’s story reminds us it’s never too late to begin again. Your experience, empathy, and determination can fuel something truly impactful.She once said, “If I didn’t use this opportunity to serve people, someday I would regret it.” That thought became her turning point. And perhaps, it can be yours too.
Achievements That Speak for Themselves
- Founder, CEO, and CTO of NIRAMAI Health Analytix
- Gold Medalist and PhD from the Indian Institute of Science
- Former AI Lab Director at Xerox and Principal Scientist at Hewlett Packard Labs
- 50+ US patents to her name
- Featured in Forbes Top 20 Self-Made Women (2020)
- Winner of ET Accenture Vahini Innovator of the Year, BioSpectrum Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (2020), and BIRAC WinER Award
Dr. Geetha Manjunath didn’t just create a medical innovation — she created hope. She proved that with courage, compassion, and a willingness to start again, it’s possible to rewrite your story and impact millions along the way.
Hence, to every woman planning her second innings — take inspiration from Geetha. You don’t need to start big, you just need to start. The world will align to help you once you do.
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