Dr. Usha Hegde, born on 9th July in Bangalore, is a Professor in the Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology at JSS Dental College, Mysore. She holds a BDS from JSS Mysore, an MDS in Oral Pathology from SDM Dharwad, and a PG Diploma in Hospital and Health Management from IGNOU. With over 25 years of teaching experience, she has published 110 research papers, authored three books, and holds one patent. She has received several academic honors, including university gold medals and the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award.
An accomplished athlete, Dr. Hegde is a national-level marathon runner, podium finisher in multiple events, a certified Ironman triathlete and coach, and the only Indian woman to have completed both an Ironman and summited Mount Everest (May 2024). She is also a long-distance cyclist, swimmer, and mountaineer, with expeditions to Kilimanjaro, Kang Yatze I, and Everest Base Camp.
She has delivered over 30 motivational talks, is a TEDx speaker, and was honored with the Mysuru district Kannada Rajyotsava Award (2024). She serves as a brand ambassador for Swachh Bharat (Mysuru, 2025) and works as an assistant coach at YOSKA.
