- Anna was born on April 2, 1927, in Pathanamthitta, a town in the present-day state of Kerala, India.
- She attended St. Teresa’s College in Ernakulam and graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1947.
- She subsequently went to the University of Madras to pursue a master's degree in biochemistry, which she completed in 1949.
- She married Dr. Rajendra Malhotra in 1949 and had two daughters, Nalini and Geeta.
- After completing her master's, she joined the nutrition research laboratory at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore as a research assistant.
- In 1954, Malhotra was invited by renowned biochemist Dr. B. C. Guha to join the newly formed Biochemistry Division at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysore.
- She spent six years at CFTRI, where she made significant contributions to the field of food and nutrition biochemistry, particularly in the area of cereal proteins and amino acid composition of foods.
- In 1960, she obtained the Rockfeller Foundation fellowship, which allowed her to pursue doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.
- She completed her Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1963 under the guidance of Dr. Esmond E. Snell.
- After obtaining her Ph.D., she returned to India and re-joined CFTRI as the Head of the Biochemistry Division.
- Her later research focused on the molecular basis of sickle-cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder that is particularly common in parts of India.
- Malhotra's contributions and expertise in biochemistry were recognized, and she was appointed as the Deputy Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1974.
- In 1975, she became the first woman Director-General of ICMR, a position she held until her retirement in 1982.
- During her tenure as Director-General, she played a pivotal role in promoting and strengthening biomedical research in India.
- She guided the development of several national health research programs and supported research in immunology, virology, reproductive biology, and other areas.
- Throughout her career, Dr. Anna Malhotra received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science and research.
- In 1976, she was elected as a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
- She was also awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Medical Sciences in 1984.
- After her retirement from ICMR, Malhotra continued to work as a consultant and advisor on scientific research projects and policy matters.
- She served on various scientific committees and boards and contributed to the growth and development of the Indian scientific community.
- Dr. Anna George Malhotra passed away on June 25, 2022, at the age of 95.
- She is remembered as a trailblazer in the field of biochemistry, a visionary leader in medical research, and an inspiration for women in science in India.