A pioneer in AI and deep tech research, Kerala’s Susan Elias made history on Tuesday by becoming the first woman principal of India’s leading institution — St Stephen’s College, New Delhi, in its 145-year history.As another glass ceiling fell, Elias wore her credit lightly. “More than gender, I would rather have work speak for me,” the 56-year-old told The Tribune in an exclusive interview today.Rooted in Kerala but born and brought up in Chennai, Susan beat tough competition to the top role.Asked how it felt to be the first woman head of India’s most-sought-after liberal arts and science college, she said, “I don’t think the institution’s Supreme Council was looking for a woman in particular. They were simply looking for someone with a strong research presence and I fit,” said Susan, who graduated with BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from Madras University at a time when women barely looked at STEM disciplines.A pioneer in AI and deep tech researchSusan Elias, Pro VC at Chandigarh University, UP, made the cut for her pioneering research in AI and deep tech. She is among the few private Indian researchers whom top-line strategic ministries such as Defence and Home Affairs trust with complex problem solving.But Susan, currently Pro Vice Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, always stood out. She is today among the few private Indian researchers whom top-line strategic ministries such as Defence and Home Affairs trust with complex problem solving.Susan has executed for the DRDO key projects with major consequences for soldier health. The first involved a study of fatigue levels of muscles of the leg — a must-factor indicator when assigning field duties to soldiers. The second was about the impact of ballistic helmets, each weighing 3 kg, on the neck muscles of India’s jawans.Recently at the Centre for AI Robotics in Bengaluru, Susan addressed a Union Home Ministry problem statement on cyber security.“We need to be AI-ready and quantum-aware,” says the new St Stephen’s principal whose focus at the college will be on introduction of MSc in Quantum Computing; short AI courses for lawyers, journalists and other professionals and active collaboration with college alumni which include External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, former CJI DY Chandrachud, writer Amitav Ghosh and economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia.“My idea is to create a platform to engage the alumni for enhancement of research and entrepreneurial edge of the institution, which has a rich history of nurturing thought leaders,” Susan says.In past roles, she led top interdisciplinary initiatives, including the first BTech in Electronics and Computer Engineering at the Vellore Institute of Technology.“The VIT was the first place where I stepped out of the comfort zone of a computer scientist and entered the field of electronics. There was no looking back,” says the leading researcher with a firm belief in India’s entrepreneurial prowess. “All the students need is hand-holding. As a founder of two companies, I have nurtured entrepreneurs for the past five years. At St Stephen’s, my aim will be to create job creators, AI and quantum computing leaders,” says the first woman principal of the college, known for one of India’s most rigorous admission processes.