Lalitha Padman Sanathanan

�� In Loving Memory of Dr. Lalitha (Lilly) Sanathanan
January 21, 1943 – September 26, 2025
Dr. Lalitha Sanathanan, affectionately known as Lilly, was a trailblazing statistician, visionary leader,
and fearless woman whose life spanned continents, disciplines, and generations.
Her early academic journey led her to the University of Chicago, where she earned her Ph.D. in
Statistics in 1969 under the guidance of David Lee Wallace. Her dissertation, Estimating Population
Size in the Particle Scanning Context, reflected her pioneering work in particle physics and statistical
modeling. She went on to serve as assistant and associate professor at the University of Illinois
Chicago before joining Argonne National Laboratory in the late 1970s.
In the 1990s, Lilly transitioned into the field of drug development, holding senior roles at Abbott
Laboratories, Ciba-Geigy, and Smith, Kline & French. She later served as a director at the FDA’s
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Her contributions earned her recognition as a Fellow of the
American Statistical Association in 1990—a testament to her impact on science and public health.
Lilly’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to found ClinWorld, a binational clinical research organization
bridging U.S. and India. She also led STATLINK, a Florida-based statistics firm, and shared her
insights through the Global India Podcast. In 2008, she published Life Vest, dedicated to her
grandson, Vivek, a self-help book that reflected her deep introspection and desire to uplift others.
Most recently she launched Healthwizai.com, a free website to help measure the impacts of lifestyle
interventions on health. She has also been a long-term supporter of the Lions Club of Whitefield
Bangalore and a recent enthusiastic member of the Moses Lake Lions Club.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lilly was a woman of immense courage, independence, and
audacity. Her final message to her daughter, Tara Prakriya, captured her spirit:
“I am on the boat! So exhilarating. This is what I had been dreaming about!”
She completed her glorious voyage on September 26, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of brilliance,
resilience, and love. Lilly was unrelentingly proud of her grandson, Vivek Prakriya, and is survived by
her devoted brothers: Wing Cmdr Jaykumar Padman (Ret’d), Lt Colonel Ravi Padman (Ret’d), and
Mr. Ashok Padman.
Her life was a symphony of intellect, passion, and purpose. She will be deeply missed and forever
remembered.

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