Member Spotlight: Dr. Revathi Soundararajan, MBBS, DGO, DNB (OBG), Fellowship in Feto Maternal Medicine (RGUHS)

Dr. Revathi Soundararajan is currently leading a dynamic portfolio under the HDP/Preeclampsia Special Interest Group (SIG) under the aegis of The Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (India); SMFM(I), integrating multicentric research, biomarker-driven capacity building, and community outreach. She is proposed to spearhead the upcoming pan-India study based on PlGF POC to generate robust national data based on its clinical utility, alongside the PEN–Biomarkers Initiative in collaboration with ISSHP, which focuses on structured certification programs and advancing biomarker-guided clinical practice across India and the Asia-Pacific. She is also actively working on publishing data from the Preeclampsia Education of the Nation (India) project and exploring its extrapolation to neighboring countries lacking formal certification programs for healthcare providers.

Her work extends to global academic engagement and grassroots implementation through World Preeclampsia Month initiatives, combining high-impact webinars with community-based interventions in low-resource settings.

She is particularly driven by questions around the clinical translation of biomarkers for early prediction and management of preeclampsia, scalable training models for wider healthcare impact, and the role of global–local collaborations in improving maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Dr. Revathi Soundararajan developed a keen interest in the complexities of preeclampsia management during her postgraduate training in Bengaluru (2002–2005), driven by the vision that early prediction and risk modulation could significantly improve maternal and perinatal outcomes while reducing disease-related morbidity and mortality.

Her approach was further shaped in 2010 by seminal work on angiogenic biomarkers by Dr. Sarosh Rana and Dr. Ananth Karumanchi, which inspired her to explore early risk stratification strategies. By 2012, she worked towards introducing PlGF-based point-of-care testing in India and applied it in nearly 300 pregnancies in a Bengaluru-based clinical setting—an innovative yet challenging effort in a low-resource environment.

She presented her early biomarker experience at the ISOM-ISSHP Meeting 2014, which led to collaboration with global pioneers and the development of the ROBUST study—Real-life Outpatient Biomarker Use in Management of Hypertensive Pregnancies in the Third Trimester in a Low-Resource Setting (2016–2020). This real-world, prospective project significantly advanced biomarker-based management and laid the foundation for her ongoing contributions to preeclampsia research, education, and clinical innovation.

According to Dr. Revathi Soundararajan,

Over time, the field of preeclampsia has evolved significantly, particularly with the advent of angiogenic biomarkers:

• There has been a paradigm shift from symptom-based recognition to biomarker-driven screening, prediction, diagnosis, and prognosis of preeclampsia.
• The integration of angiogenic biomarkers into clinical practice has enabled more precise and timely decision-making, transforming overall disease management.
• Growing global research has focused on establishing biomarker-based care as a cost-effective strategy, in contrast to the high burden of managing advanced complications and critical care.
• There has been a marked increase in awareness-building and implementation initiatives across both high-resource and low-resource settings, supporting the pragmatic use of these novel tools in diverse healthcare systems.
• This evolution has contributed to improved maternal and perinatal outcomes, reflecting a more proactive and preventive approach.
• More recently, the field is advancing toward targeted therapeutics based on angiogenic imbalance, with ongoing research aimed at reversing vascular endothelial dysfunction—the underlying pathology of preeclampsia.

Dr Revathi Soundarajan opines that,

Preeclampsia remains a significant contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This complex, multisystem disorder is primarily driven by endothelial dysfunction, arising from a dynamic interplay of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors.

Despite advances in clinical management, a definitive cure remains elusive, with current approaches largely focused on early detection, risk stratification, and optimization of maternal and fetal outcomes.

Ongoing research continues to advance understanding of its pathophysiology, particularly through the study of angiogenic biomarkers and the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Sustained scientific efforts are essential to further unravel the disease mechanisms and translate these insights into effective, evidence-based interventions.

As per Dr Revathi Soundararajan,

One of the most critical unanswered questions is whether the root cause of preeclampsia—endothelial dysfunction—can be effectively targeted and reversed. At present, management strategies largely focus on mitigating the consequences of the disease rather than addressing its underlying pathophysiology.

A key area of ongoing investigation is whether restoring the imbalance of angiogenic factors can directly correct endothelial dysfunction and thereby alter the course of the disease. Despite significant advances through translational research, it remains uncertain whether such targeted interventions can prevent disease onset or enable true disease modification.

The field is therefore focused on bridging this gap—moving from consequence-based management to causative therapy—with the hope that addressing the underlying mechanisms will ultimately improve maternal and perinatal outcomes in a more definitive and sustained manner

For Dr Revathi Soundararajan, the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy has been a deeply enriching and empowering platform that fosters the seamless exchange of ideas and advances in the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia.

Over more than a decade of engagement, ISSHP has supported her academic and professional growth by enabling participation in collaborative research grounded in the latest evidence. It has also provided opportunities to engage with leading researchers and academicians across the world, enhancing both her scientific perspective and global collaborations.

This experience has translated into impactful initiatives within her country (India), including the development of educational and research endeavours focused on capacity-building among healthcare professionals and improving awareness among patients.

In essence, ISSHP has enabled her to contribute to a global collaborative ecosystem that shapes guidelines and best practices—ultimately advancing care and improving maternal and perinatal outcomes worldwide.

Dr Revathi Soundararajan offers the following advice:

“If you have an idea that can contribute to improving wellness, do not hesitate to share it on the right platforms where it can be nurtured and strengthened through collaboration with like-minded individuals.
Be open to asking questions and seeking guidance—intellectual curiosity is a key driver of progress. Commit yourself fully to your area of interest with clarity of purpose and sustained focus.
Most importantly, remain resilient. Challenges are an integral part of the journey, and persistence is essential.
The path to meaningful impact becomes clearer when you continue to move forward with determination and perseverance”

Dr Revathi Soundararajan feels,

“The aspiration to make a meaningful difference for women affected by preeclampsia—one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality both in my country and globally—continues to drive my work every day. This motivation is strengthened by the opportunity to advance care through the adoption of the latest scientific practices and by building awareness through education.
The journey itself has been a profound learning experience, shaping my perspective and approach through global exposure and collaborative engagements. It is this continuous evolution, combined with a clear sense of purpose, that keeps me deeply engaged—there has never been a dull moment in my commitment to preeclampsia research and education.”

Dr Revathi Soundararajan describes her other interest:

“Music and dance have been my most engaging pursuits outside of academics and research, offering both creative expression and a sense of balance. The therapeutic and healing aspects of music, in particular, have inspired me to explore new dimensions of this interest.
I also enjoy travelling, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, and experiencing different cultures, which I find both enriching and deeply fulfilling.”