Professional Experience:
I am a dental surgeon and public health professional with interdisciplinary experience spanning national health programmes, immunization initiatives, infectious disease preparedness, and academic research. My career has focused on translating research into practice and supporting government-led health interventions to strengthen health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Currently, I serve as a Consultant with the World Health Organization – India, where I provide technical and policy support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Oral Health Programme. My responsibilities include contributing to developing national-level documents for oral health, coordinating with state-level stakeholders, reviewing national program implementation, and supporting the establishment of Centres of Excellence for oral health. This role requires strong policy research skills, program evaluation, and intersectoral coordination across different levels of the healthcare system.
Prior to this, I worked as a Programme Associate at the Immunization Technical Support Unit (ITSU) at John Snow India, supporting the Government of India’s Gavi Health Systems Strengthening project. I played a key role in improving immunization coverage in 143 priority districts and served as the State Nodal Officer for monitoring preparedness for the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) campaign. I also supported Measles-Rubella outbreak response readiness by collaborating closely with government stakeholders and partners.
Earlier, I was engaged in clinical training and research, including a residency in prosthodontics at Saveetha Dental College, where I handled complex patient cases and performed advanced restorative procedures, such as full-mouth rehabilitation and implant placement. My clinical background has strengthened my ability to apply a patient-centric approach to broader public health challenges.
I also gained hands-on experience in qualitative research during my internship at INCLEN Trust International, where I contributed to a project exploring the impact of environmental risk factors on pregnancy outcomes. I developed data collection tools, conducted in-depth interviews, and supported the analysis process—laying a foundation for my interest in evidence-based policy and maternal and child health.
As part of my Bachelor of Dental Surgery training at ESIC Dental College, I led community oral health outreach activities, including conducting health talks and tobacco cessation counselling. This experience shaped my understanding of the social determinants of health and reinforced the importance of preventive healthcare and community engagement.
Complementing my practical experience is my MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where I built skills in infectious disease modelling, statistical analysis, and health systems research. I’ve worked on projects including mathematical modelling of influenza outbreaks, sanitation and planetary health, outbreak investigations, and WASH interventions for displaced populations.
I am proficient in tools such as Stata, R (beginner), EPPI Reviewer, and QGIS, and bring strong writing, communication, and project management skills. With a blend of clinical and public health experience, I aim to contribute to equitable health systems through evidence generation, strategic planning, and collaborative implementation.