Best paper award for MGU Student at Kerala Science Congress The research paper on Anti-Inflammatory activity of Vanillin by Ms. Sruthi N Kumar, PhD student at School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, was adjudged the Best Poster Presentation in Life Sciences (Scientist) category at the prestigious 35th Kerala Science Congress that concluded on 14th February 2023. Vanillin is the world’s most valued spice, with a history that dates back centuries. The compound is derived from the pods of the orchid Vanilla planifolia. Vanillin finds extensive use in confectionery and perfumery. It is a phenolic aldehyde that has been reported to have good antioxidant, cardio-protective and neuro-protective abilities. The work presented at the Kerala Science Congress focused on how Vanillin might be successfully used to alleviate inflammation and obesity induced inflammation. The compound was found to significantly reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cell based models of inflammation and obesity. The study is expected to trigger more research into how vanilin could be developed as a potent natural anti-inflammatory drug that also acts on obesity.