OPB
Molecular Biologist

Om P. Bahl

Born 10 January 1927 · verify — Died 10 December 2004

Discovered key structural features of human chorionic gonadotropin, the pregnancy hormone.

Om Praksh Bahl was an Indian-American molecular biologist, academic and a Distinguished Professor of the State University of New York. He was known for his studies on Human chorionic gonadotropin, popularly known as the pregnancy hormone. He was associated with the World Health Organization as an adviser to their Population Council and was a member of the Population Research Committee of the National Institutes of Health. The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 1973, for his contributions to science and engineering.

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A detail that
surprised us

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While earning his PhD in 1962, Om P. Bahl secured a patent on grocery bag design before fully committing to molecular biology research.

The Story

1
🌍 Born in 1927 in Lyalpur, Punjab Province, British India, Om P. Bahl led the All-India Students Association during the tumultuous years of the Indian independence movement, showing early leadership beyond the lab.
2
🎓 After earning his PhD in 1962 from the University of Minnesota, Bahl patented an innovation on grocery bags while working as a research associate at General Mills—a curious detour before his molecular biology acclaim.
3In 1964, he undertook postdoctoral research in biochemistry and molecular biology at UCLA, setting the stage for his pioneering work on the pregnancy hormone.
4🎖️ By 1973, his groundbreaking studies on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) earned him the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India, linking his science directly to women’s healthcare advances.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1962, while completing his PhD at the University of Minnesota, Bahl also worked at General Mills where he earned a patent for an innovation on grocery bags—a rare crossover between industrial application and molecular biology.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Lyalpur, Punjab Province
Om P. Bahl was born in Lyalpur, Punjab Province, British India, a region that would later become part of Pakistan.
1927
📚
Education
PhD and Patent at University of Minnesota
Completed PhD and obtained a patent for grocery bag innovation while working at General Mills.
1962
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Career
Postdoctoral Research at UCLA
Conducted postdoctoral research in biochemistry and molecular biology at University of California, Los Angeles.
1964
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Career
Professor at University at Buffalo
Joined University at Buffalo as a professor and later chaired the Biological Sciences department.
1971
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India for contributions to science and engineering.
1973
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Career
Chair of Biological Sciences Department
Became chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at University at Buffalo, holding the position until 1983.
1976
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Death
Death
Passed away at the age of 87, survived by his wife Nirmal and three children.
2004
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Bahl’s studies on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were foundational in developing home pregnancy tests, linking a complex hormone to a simple, everyday diagnostic tool.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Between 1976 and 1983, Bahl chaired the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo, a period during which he shaped the department’s research focus on molecular and cellular biology.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In 1973, the year he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, Bahl was already deeply involved with international health organizations including WHO’s Population Council and the NIH Population Research Committee.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Om P. Bahl's research on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) directly contributed to the development of home pregnancy tests, offering women worldwide accessible reproductive health tools. His academic leadership at the University at Buffalo fostered new research in molecular biology, while his advisory roles with WHO and NIH helped integrate molecular science into global population health policies. In India, his participation in Rajiv Gandhi’s technology transfer committee helped modernize the nation's scientific capabilities.

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