Dr. Shashi Bala Singh was a Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Life Sciences) at DRDO HQS, New Delhi. In addition, Dr Singh has the distinction of serving as the Director of two premier research institutions, namely, the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh and the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) Delhi. She has also served as the Director of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad.

She is an alumnus of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where she obtained her MSc and Ph.D. degrees in Human Physiology and won the Dr. B.K. Anand Gold Medal as the best graduating student. She received her D.Sc. from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.

Dr Shashi's active involvement in research led to "using translational research for improving life of troops at high altitude." Her endeavours have made "the life of troops comfortable in the most difficult-to-inhabit terrains." During her tenure as Director at Leh, she created an innovative agricultural ecosystem that enabled Ladakh's socio-economic development via science and technology.

Under her guidance, various technologies/ products like oxygen enrichment facilities, Sourja (solar shelter), Bukhari, and Alocal (for frostbite) were improvised. In addition, she has been instrumental in customising various yoga packages for high altitude and hot desert conditions.

For her significant contribution to Defence technologies, Dr Singh received many awards and honours, including the Scientist of the year award from the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, the Macro innovation foundation Award, and the CSIR award for Innovation and Technology spin-off award. Under her leadership, DIHAR & DIPAS were awarded the Titanium Trophy by the Hon'ble PM for the best Science Laboratories of DRDO.

She is also an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (FNAMS, National Academy of Sciences, India, FNASC) and the Indian Academy of Neurosciences (FIAN). She has nearly 270 publications in national and international journals. She has successfully commercialised and transferred several of her technologies and has 22 patents to her credit. Technology transfers of 10 products given to industries are under commercial production. In addition, she has supervised 24 PhD students.