Prof. Karuna R. Gokarn is the Principal and Professor of Microbiology at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai, and the first woman Principal of the 156-year-old institution. She assumed office as Principal-in-Charge in June 2025 and as Principal in October 2025. With over 31 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership, she is a passionate educator and institution-builder known for her commitment to academic excellence, teamwork, and quality enhancement in higher education. She previously served as Vice-Principal (Academics) and Director of the college’s quality assurance cell and contributed to the college securing the 89th All-India Rank in National Institutional Ranking Framework 2025. Prof. Gokarn secured a ₹3-crore DBT-BUILDER grant as DBT Coordinator to strengthen research infrastructure, and as National Education Policy Nodal Officer, oversaw the implementation of four-year undergraduate and two-year postgraduate programmes.