Here are the diverse group of renowned experts who will present ground breaking research and provide valuable perspectives on the latest trends and developments in the field of maternal and child health nutrition.
International Speakers
Dr. Morseda Chowdhury
Dr.Morseda Chowdhury, DIRECTOR, BRAC HEALTH NUTRITION AND POPULATIONPROGRAMME (HNPP) Dhaka, Bangladesh
As Director of Health, Nutrition and Population Programme in BRAC, Dr.Morseda Chowdhury heads the largest non-governmental healthcare network in the world with ~50,000 community health workers (CHWs) serving 110m population in Bangladesh. Currently, the program reaches around 10m people through CHWs with Essential Health Services (EHS) which includes Orsaline as treatment of diarrhoea and reproductive healthcare which includes zinc packages for mothers, children and adolescent girls who need it.With nearly 20 years of work experience and PhD from Sydney School of Public Health, Dr.Morseda brings decades of experience in Public Health from practical project management to strategic research. Her specialty lies in reproductive healthcare, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases through community-based healthcare. During the COVID pandemic, she has stewarded BRAC’s health program to rapidly adapt to changed scenario, being the first non-governmental organization to introduce COVID sample collection booths, rapid antigen testing, remote digitized project management, telemedicine, community-based syndromic surveillance and vaccination centres among other interventions – to build a portfolio reaching 76m people across half the country, making BRAC the Government’s partner of choice in COVID response. As ORSCZA co-chair, she brings the insight of practical ground-level realities of a nation-wide program combined with academic research for advocacy with the Government.
As Director of Health, Nutrition and Population Programme in BRAC, Dr.Morseda Chowdhury heads the largest non-governmental healthcare network in the world with ~50,000 community health workers (CHWs) serving 110m population in Bangladesh. Currently, the program reaches around 10m people through CHWs with Essential Health Services (EHS) which includes Orsaline as treatment of diarrhoea and reproductive healthcare which includes zinc packages for mothers, children and adolescent girls who need it.With nearly 20 years of work experience and PhD from Sydney School of Public Health, Dr.Morseda brings decades of experience in Public Health from practical project management to strategic research. Her specialty lies in reproductive healthcare, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases through community-based healthcare. During the COVID pandemic, she has stewarded BRAC’s health program to rapidly adapt to changed scenario, being the first non-governmental organization to introduce COVID sample collection booths, rapid antigen testing, remote digitized project management, telemedicine, community-based syndromic surveillance and vaccination centres among other interventions – to build a portfolio reaching 76m people across half the country, making BRAC the Government’s partner of choice in COVID response. As ORSCZA co-chair, she brings the insight of practical ground-level realities of a nation-wide program combined with academic research for advocacy with the Government.
Dr. Morseda Chowdhury
DIRECTOR, BRAC HEALTH NUTRITION AND POPULATION PROGRAMME (HNPP) Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dr.Pierre P. M. Thomas
Dr. Pierre P. M. Thomas, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Public & Global Health Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Pierre Paul Michel Thomas, PhD Assistant Professor Institute of Public Health Genomics, Genetics and Cell Biology cluster, GROW Research School for Oncology and Development Biology, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-p-m-thomas-phd-9b87b4118/
Pierre Paul Michel Thomas, PhD Assistant Professor Institute of Public Health Genomics, Genetics and Cell Biology cluster, GROW Research School for Oncology and Development Biology, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-p-m-thomas-phd-9b87b4118/
Dr. Pierre P. M. Thomas
Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Public & Global Health Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Kirk Tickell
Kirk Tickell, MBBS PhD University of Washington, serves as the Lead Epidemiologist for the Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network study, and lead of the Migori Hospital (Kenya) site
Kirk Tickell, MBBS, MPH, PhDc serves as the Lead Epidemiologist for the Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network study, and lead of the Migori Hospital (Kenya) site. He completed medical training at Imperial College London and practiced in the United Kingdom, Tanzania, and South Africa before moving to the University of Washington to pursue an MPH and PhD in Epidemiology. Through CHAIN and other projects, he has worked with international health agencies and Ministries of Health to design policy-relevant research studies.
Kirk Tickell, MBBS, MPH, PhDc serves as the Lead Epidemiologist for the Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network study, and lead of the Migori Hospital (Kenya) site. He completed medical training at Imperial College London and practiced in the United Kingdom, Tanzania, and South Africa before moving to the University of Washington to pursue an MPH and PhD in Epidemiology. Through CHAIN and other projects, he has worked with international health agencies and Ministries of Health to design policy-relevant research studies.
Dr. Kirk Tickell
MBBS PhD University of Washington, serves as the Lead Epidemiologist for the Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network study, and lead of the Migori Hospital (Kenya) site.
Dr. Snigdha Misra
Dr. Snigdha Misra, Associate Professor, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
She is a Nutritionist advocating sustainable nutrition and actively promoting a healthy lifestyle. She works in public health, private sector, education and research. She has worked in Geriatric Nutrition, by improving the quality of Life of the Elderly by improving their appetite and reducing the sodium intake. She is also involved in auditing of academic programmes and community engagement. Her project on the Elderly has been awarded with the Silver Award for the Best Community Programme at the 9th Annual Global CSR Summit & Awards and the Global Good Governance Awards 2017 held in Langkawi, Malaysia.
She was also awarded the Community Leadership award: Innovation in Community Service, IMU 2017 & 2021.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/snigdha-misra-74322123/
She is a Nutritionist advocating sustainable nutrition and actively promoting a healthy lifestyle. She works in public health, private sector, education and research. She has worked in Geriatric Nutrition, by improving the quality of Life of the Elderly by improving their appetite and reducing the sodium intake. She is also involved in auditing of academic programmes and community engagement. Her project on the Elderly has been awarded with the Silver Award for the Best Community Programme at the 9th Annual Global CSR Summit & Awards and the Global Good Governance Awards 2017 held in Langkawi, Malaysia.
She was also awarded the Community Leadership award: Innovation in Community Service, IMU 2017 & 2021.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/snigdha-misra-74322123/
Dr. Snigdha Misra
Associate Professor, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Professor Uma Koirala Tribhuvan
Professor Uma Koirala Tribhuvan University Kathmandu, Nepal
Professor Koirala is currently working at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, on a gender studies programme. She holds a Ph. D degree in Home Science – Health and is a Researcher of Health, Nutrition/Food Security and Gender.
Since 2015, she has also been a member of the Scientific Committee for Follow-up of Severe Acute Malnutrition (FUSAM) of ACF Nepal, and of the Technical Advisory Committee, Nutrition CRSP, Nepal. Additionally, Professor Koirala is a Board Member of the Food Security and Nutrition Coordination Committee, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/uma-koirala-ph-d-b6000a17/
Professor Koirala is currently working at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, on a gender studies programme. She holds a Ph. D degree in Home Science – Health and is a Researcher of Health, Nutrition/Food Security and Gender.
Since 2015, she has also been a member of the Scientific Committee for Follow-up of Severe Acute Malnutrition (FUSAM) of ACF Nepal, and of the Technical Advisory Committee, Nutrition CRSP, Nepal. Additionally, Professor Koirala is a Board Member of the Food Security and Nutrition Coordination Committee, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/uma-koirala-ph-d-b6000a17/
Professor Uma Koirala
Tribhuvan University Kathmandu, Nepal
Karen McDonnell Ph.D.
Karen McDonnell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Prevention and Community Health at Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.
Dr. McDonnell is a public health program evaluation and implementation specialist with over 20 years of experience working with community groups, public health agencies, and health care systems both locally and globally. Dr. McDonnell’s expertise lies in using mixed methods to look at complex public health issues and programs. Her most recent work includes collaborations to develop and test a community-centered FGM/C prevention project, evaluating the National Domestic Violence Hotline/loveisrespect Helpline, taking a public health approach to gender-based violence, and evaluating multi-systems changes in the Clinical Translational Science Institute with Children’s National and GWU. Dr. McDonnell has conducted trainings in public health policy, gender equity, and women’s leadership and teaches coursework in Program Evaluation, Maternal and Child Health, and works with undergraduate and graduate students, medical residents, and community groups to further the exploration of methods to meet our current complex public health challenges. Dr. McDonnell is the recipient of the ASPPH Early Career in Public Health Teaching Award, ASPPH Academy of Distinguished Teachers, and the Milken Institute SPH Excellence in Teaching Award.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mcdonnell-3295034/
Dr. McDonnell is a public health program evaluation and implementation specialist with over 20 years of experience working with community groups, public health agencies, and health care systems both locally and globally. Dr. McDonnell’s expertise lies in using mixed methods to look at complex public health issues and programs. Her most recent work includes collaborations to develop and test a community-centered FGM/C prevention project, evaluating the National Domestic Violence Hotline/loveisrespect Helpline, taking a public health approach to gender-based violence, and evaluating multi-systems changes in the Clinical Translational Science Institute with Children’s National and GWU. Dr. McDonnell has conducted trainings in public health policy, gender equity, and women’s leadership and teaches coursework in Program Evaluation, Maternal and Child Health, and works with undergraduate and graduate students, medical residents, and community groups to further the exploration of methods to meet our current complex public health challenges. Dr. McDonnell is the recipient of the ASPPH Early Career in Public Health Teaching Award, ASPPH Academy of Distinguished Teachers, and the Milken Institute SPH Excellence in Teaching Award.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mcdonnell-3295034/
Dr. Karen McDonnell
PhD is an Associate Professor at the Department of Prevention and Community Health, at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.
Monica S. Ruiz Ph.D.
Monica S. Ruiz, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Prevention and Community Health and The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.
Dr. Ruiz's career has focused predominantly on research pertaining to HIV prevention. She has served as the sole behavioral scientist and the Acting Chief of the Prevention Sciences Branch, Division of AIDS, at the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In this capacity, she worked primarily with the HIV Prevention Trials Network, a worldwide collaborative clinical trials network that develops and tests the safety and efficacy of primarily non-vaccine interventions designed to prevent HIV transmission. She has also worked in the public policy arena, both as a study director with the Institute of Medicine and as the Acting Director for Public Policy at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.
Her current research focuses on examining the epidemic impact of policy change on HIV infection and linkage to care outcomes – including utilization of syringe exchange, addiction treatment, and other harm reduction services -- in the District of Columbia. She is the Principal Investigator of DC POINTE: Policy Impact on the Epidemic, a federally funded research study examining the epidemic impact of policy change on HIV infection and linkage to care outcomes – including utilization of syringe exchange, addiction treatment, and other harm reduction services -- in the District of Columbia (R01DA031649; PI: MS Ruiz). She is currently conducting research in partnership with community harm reduction providers to examine the impact of gentrification on drug users’ access to health care and syringe access services. Her current research interests include examining the social and structural factors that impede HIV prevention efforts in vulnerable and disenfranchised populations.
Dr. Ruiz was a speaker at TEDx Foggy Bottom on April 22, 2017. Her talk, “Rage, research, and Harm reduction”, can be viewed online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxInojX7jck
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicasruiz/
Dr. Ruiz's career has focused predominantly on research pertaining to HIV prevention. She has served as the sole behavioral scientist and the Acting Chief of the Prevention Sciences Branch, Division of AIDS, at the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In this capacity, she worked primarily with the HIV Prevention Trials Network, a worldwide collaborative clinical trials network that develops and tests the safety and efficacy of primarily non-vaccine interventions designed to prevent HIV transmission. She has also worked in the public policy arena, both as a study director with the Institute of Medicine and as the Acting Director for Public Policy at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.
Her current research focuses on examining the epidemic impact of policy change on HIV infection and linkage to care outcomes – including utilization of syringe exchange, addiction treatment, and other harm reduction services -- in the District of Columbia. She is the Principal Investigator of DC POINTE: Policy Impact on the Epidemic, a federally funded research study examining the epidemic impact of policy change on HIV infection and linkage to care outcomes – including utilization of syringe exchange, addiction treatment, and other harm reduction services -- in the District of Columbia (R01DA031649; PI: MS Ruiz). She is currently conducting research in partnership with community harm reduction providers to examine the impact of gentrification on drug users’ access to health care and syringe access services. Her current research interests include examining the social and structural factors that impede HIV prevention efforts in vulnerable and disenfranchised populations.
Dr. Ruiz was a speaker at TEDx Foggy Bottom on April 22, 2017. Her talk, “Rage, research, and Harm reduction”, can be viewed online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxInojX7jck
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicasruiz/
Dr. Monica S. Ruiz
PhD, MPHis an Associate Professor at the Department of Prevention and Community Health, at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.
Indian Speakers
Dr.Vandana Prasad
Dr.Vandana Prasad
Convenor and Technical Advisor, Public Health Resource Network
Dr. Vandana Prasad is a community pediatrician and public health professional with over two decades experience in social sector. She has been the National Convenor, Secretary and Executive Director of Public Health Resource Network, Joint Convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan and Steering Committee member of the Right to Food Campaign. Her experience and expertise are in the area of malnutrition, health systems strengthening, and child rights. Dr Prasad has been leading models for community-based-management of malnutrition and participatory learning and action with women’s groups in tribal/rural communities with the organisation.
Convenor and Technical Advisor, Public Health Resource Network
Dr. Vandana Prasad is a community pediatrician and public health professional with over two decades experience in social sector. She has been the National Convenor, Secretary and Executive Director of Public Health Resource Network, Joint Convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan and Steering Committee member of the Right to Food Campaign. Her experience and expertise are in the area of malnutrition, health systems strengthening, and child rights. Dr Prasad has been leading models for community-based-management of malnutrition and participatory learning and action with women’s groups in tribal/rural communities with the organisation.
Dr.Vandana Prasad
Convenor and Technical Advisor, Public Health Resource Network
Mr. Thomas Forissier
Mr. Thomas Forissier
Director Programs South Asia, Alive & Thrive / FHI Solutions
Thomas oversees A&T’s country programs in India and Bangladesh, as well as regional activities in South Asia. Thomas has over two decades of experience in strategy and management across public health and life sciences. Prior to joining A&T, Thomas served as Deputy Director for strategy, planning and management for Tuberculosis and HIV at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he also led an initiative to improve the use of cost effectiveness data in decision making. Thomas started his career as a strategy and management consultant to the life sciences industry.
Director Programs South Asia, Alive & Thrive / FHI Solutions
Thomas oversees A&T’s country programs in India and Bangladesh, as well as regional activities in South Asia. Thomas has over two decades of experience in strategy and management across public health and life sciences. Prior to joining A&T, Thomas served as Deputy Director for strategy, planning and management for Tuberculosis and HIV at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he also led an initiative to improve the use of cost effectiveness data in decision making. Thomas started his career as a strategy and management consultant to the life sciences industry.
Mr. Thomas Forissier
Director Programs South Asia, Alive & Thrive / FHI Solutions
Dr. Aparna HegdeUrogynecologist
Dr. Aparna HegdeUrogynecologist
Researcher, Social Entrepreneur, Founder and Managing Trustee, ARMMAN
Dr. Aparna Hegde is the Founder, Chairperson and Managing Trustee of ARMMAN. During her medical residency, Dr. Hegde witnessed closely how pervasive systemic problems let to preventable maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Unable to tolerate the status quo, she founded ARMMAN while completing her medical training in the US.
Dr. Hegde is an internationally renowned Urogynecologist. She is Associate Professor (Hon) of Urogynecology and is setting up the upcoming Department of Urogynecology at Cama Hospital, Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India’s first comprehensive Center of Excellence in the field. She is also the Founder and Director of the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Health, Delhi and Consultant Urogynecologist at Global Hospital, Surya Hospital and Women’s Hospital, Mumbai.
Researcher, Social Entrepreneur, Founder and Managing Trustee, ARMMAN
Dr. Aparna Hegde is the Founder, Chairperson and Managing Trustee of ARMMAN. During her medical residency, Dr. Hegde witnessed closely how pervasive systemic problems let to preventable maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Unable to tolerate the status quo, she founded ARMMAN while completing her medical training in the US.
Dr. Hegde is an internationally renowned Urogynecologist. She is Associate Professor (Hon) of Urogynecology and is setting up the upcoming Department of Urogynecology at Cama Hospital, Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India’s first comprehensive Center of Excellence in the field. She is also the Founder and Director of the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Health, Delhi and Consultant Urogynecologist at Global Hospital, Surya Hospital and Women’s Hospital, Mumbai.
Dr. Aparna Hegde
Urogynecologist, Researcher, Social Entrepreneur, Founder and Managing Trustee, ARMMAN
Mr. Sanyam Kapur
Mr. Sanyam Kapur
Head M&E and Implementation,The Antara Foundation
Sanyam Kapur heads the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) division at The Antara Foundation's division. He brings about a decade of experience in Research and M&E, in his prior role as a Lead at NITI Aayog, he implemented Outcome budget and Data governance strategy for Social Sector Ministries. Sanyam has extensively contributed on large-scale research initiatives in the Health Sector with the Government of India, Gates Foundation, GAVI and UNICEF.
Head M&E and Implementation,The Antara Foundation
Sanyam Kapur heads the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) division at The Antara Foundation's division. He brings about a decade of experience in Research and M&E, in his prior role as a Lead at NITI Aayog, he implemented Outcome budget and Data governance strategy for Social Sector Ministries. Sanyam has extensively contributed on large-scale research initiatives in the Health Sector with the Government of India, Gates Foundation, GAVI and UNICEF.
Mr. Sanyam Kapur
Head M&E and Implementation, The Antara Foundation
Dr. Amrita Misra
Dr. Amrita Misra
Director Health and Nutrition, PCI India
Dr. Amrita Misra is the Director for Health and Nutrition at PCI India. She is an M.D. in Community Medicine from Lady Hardinge Medical College and has over 22 years of experience in managing projects on maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, nutrition, WASH and Infectious Diseases. Before joining PCI India, Amrita worked with John Snow India as Senior Technical Advisor. She has earlier worked with the United Nations and the World Health Organization in various techno-managerial capacities. Amrita is a member of the Technical Advisory Group of MOHFW on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and several other professional and advisory bodies.
Director Health and Nutrition, PCI India
Dr. Amrita Misra is the Director for Health and Nutrition at PCI India. She is an M.D. in Community Medicine from Lady Hardinge Medical College and has over 22 years of experience in managing projects on maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, nutrition, WASH and Infectious Diseases. Before joining PCI India, Amrita worked with John Snow India as Senior Technical Advisor. She has earlier worked with the United Nations and the World Health Organization in various techno-managerial capacities. Amrita is a member of the Technical Advisory Group of MOHFW on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and several other professional and advisory bodies.
Dr. Amrita Misra
Director Health and Nutrition, PCI India
Dr. Dinesh Baswal
Dr. Dinesh Baswal
Ex-Joint Commissioner, Maternal health at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI
With 14 years of public health & maternal health experience, Dinesh has been a pioneer in Maternal Health and has helmed various historic national level programs such as PMSMA (Pradhan Mantri SurakshitMatritv Abhiyan), ASHA & LAQSHAY ( Labour room quality improvement initiative) & provided an end-to-end solution; right from program conceptulization, development of training modules and delivering in various health KPI's such MMR (Maternal mortality ratio) with a decrease from 178/1L to 113/1L live births.
He has also successfully implemented the first-of-its kind Skill lab for various health workers in association with prestigious institutions like Lady Hardinge Medical college, Vardhaman Mahavir medical college with technical support from Liverpool school of Tropical medicine.
Ex-Joint Commissioner, Maternal health at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI
With 14 years of public health & maternal health experience, Dinesh has been a pioneer in Maternal Health and has helmed various historic national level programs such as PMSMA (Pradhan Mantri SurakshitMatritv Abhiyan), ASHA & LAQSHAY ( Labour room quality improvement initiative) & provided an end-to-end solution; right from program conceptulization, development of training modules and delivering in various health KPI's such MMR (Maternal mortality ratio) with a decrease from 178/1L to 113/1L live births.
He has also successfully implemented the first-of-its kind Skill lab for various health workers in association with prestigious institutions like Lady Hardinge Medical college, Vardhaman Mahavir medical college with technical support from Liverpool school of Tropical medicine.
Dr. Dinesh Baswal
Ex-Joint Commissioner, Maternal health at Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI
Ms. Mansharan Seth
Ms. Mansharan Seth
Deputy Director, SRHR and Maternal Health, Clinton Health access Initiative (CHAI India)
Mansharan’s transition into public health was a well thought out shift in her career path. Having worked across Procter and Gamble and GSK over a career spanning more than a decade, and on marketing for 2 phenomenal brands Horlicks and Sensodyne, a brief stint as an entrepreneur/co-founder, she consciously started to explore avenues to apply her knowledge and skills towards a meaningful contribution towards public health in India. This led to the start of the second innings of her career at Tata Trusts where she led the Tata Trusts & Mars collaboration Initiative (over a four-year duration) to “Make affordable nutrition accessible” via developing a portfolio of nutritious, clinically tested, delightful in taste yet affordable packaged foods. Currently, she leads Maternal and child health, nutrition, anemia, sickle cell disease and the Sexual and Reproductive Health portfolios at CHAI India. While all of her work is designed around maximizing impact towards the end beneficiary, personally, she derives immense satisfaction knowing that every single day, there is someone/somewhere in India who is getting access to a family planning product/service when and where they need it.
Deputy Director, SRHR and Maternal Health, Clinton Health access Initiative (CHAI India)
Mansharan’s transition into public health was a well thought out shift in her career path. Having worked across Procter and Gamble and GSK over a career spanning more than a decade, and on marketing for 2 phenomenal brands Horlicks and Sensodyne, a brief stint as an entrepreneur/co-founder, she consciously started to explore avenues to apply her knowledge and skills towards a meaningful contribution towards public health in India. This led to the start of the second innings of her career at Tata Trusts where she led the Tata Trusts & Mars collaboration Initiative (over a four-year duration) to “Make affordable nutrition accessible” via developing a portfolio of nutritious, clinically tested, delightful in taste yet affordable packaged foods. Currently, she leads Maternal and child health, nutrition, anemia, sickle cell disease and the Sexual and Reproductive Health portfolios at CHAI India. While all of her work is designed around maximizing impact towards the end beneficiary, personally, she derives immense satisfaction knowing that every single day, there is someone/somewhere in India who is getting access to a family planning product/service when and where they need it.
Ms. Mansharan Seth
Deputy Director, SRHR and Maternal Health, Clinton Health access Initiative (CHAI India)
Dr. Sudhir Maknikar
Dr. Sudhir Maknikar, Director- Family Health, South Asia, PATH
Dr. Sudhir Maknikar is the Director of the Family Health portfolio for PATH-South Asia. He is a Medical Doctor with an MD in Public Health. He has more than 22 years of advocacy, policy, and service delivery experience in RMNCH programs, and has successfully led and managed several large-scale RMNCH and nutrition programs.
Dr. Sudhir Maknikar is the Director of the Family Health portfolio for PATH-South Asia. He is a Medical Doctor with an MD in Public Health. He has more than 22 years of advocacy, policy, and service delivery experience in RMNCH programs, and has successfully led and managed several large-scale RMNCH and nutrition programs.
Dr. Sudhir Maknikar
Director- Family Health, South Asia, PATH
Dr. Mahesh Srinivas
Dr. Mahesh Srinivas
Director Public Health, American India Foundation
Dr. Srinivas is a medical doctor and public health management specialist with more than 19 years of experience. He has worked on a range of public health programs including reproductive and sexual health, child and adolescent health and nutrition, HIV & AIDS, tuberculosis, comprehensive eye care, and water and sanitation.
Mahesh believes in improving management practices of public health programs for achieving better outcomes. He has experience engaging with various stakeholders – governments, funding partners, community and non-profit organizations, that are involved in managing large-scale public health programs. Some of significant initiatives Mahesh has been associated with includes the Hepatitis-B immunization initiative, increasing access to household sanitation & point of use water purification, emergency relief & rehabilitation, integrated programming for the visually challenged, scaling-up of zinc and ORS for childhood diarrhea management, quality improvement of maternal care and expanding contraceptive choices for women.
Director Public Health, American India Foundation
Dr. Srinivas is a medical doctor and public health management specialist with more than 19 years of experience. He has worked on a range of public health programs including reproductive and sexual health, child and adolescent health and nutrition, HIV & AIDS, tuberculosis, comprehensive eye care, and water and sanitation.
Mahesh believes in improving management practices of public health programs for achieving better outcomes. He has experience engaging with various stakeholders – governments, funding partners, community and non-profit organizations, that are involved in managing large-scale public health programs. Some of significant initiatives Mahesh has been associated with includes the Hepatitis-B immunization initiative, increasing access to household sanitation & point of use water purification, emergency relief & rehabilitation, integrated programming for the visually challenged, scaling-up of zinc and ORS for childhood diarrhea management, quality improvement of maternal care and expanding contraceptive choices for women.
Dr. Mahesh Srinivas
Director – Public Health, American India Foundation
Dr. Suman Chakrabarti
Dr. Suman Chakrabarti
Associate Research Fellow IFPRI
Dr. Chakrabarti is working as an Associate Research Fellow in the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit at IFPRI-SAR based in New Delhi. His research focuses on dietary patterns and their relationship with health outcomes; as well as nutrition-sensitive interventions to improve maternal and child health. Prior to this he was at the University of California (Irvine) and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. He received his PhD in Global Health (Metrics) from the University of Washington in 2022.Associate Research Fellow IFPRI
Dr. Chakrabarti is working as an Associate Research Fellow in the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit at IFPRI-SAR based in New Delhi. His research focuses on dietary patterns and their relationship with health outcomes; as well as nutrition-sensitive interventions to improve maternal and child health. Prior to this he was at the University of California (Irvine) and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. He received his PhD in Global Health (Metrics) from the University of Washington in 2022.
Associate Research Fellow IFPRI
Dr. Chakrabarti is working as an Associate Research Fellow in the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit at IFPRI-SAR based in New Delhi. His research focuses on dietary patterns and their relationship with health outcomes; as well as nutrition-sensitive interventions to improve maternal and child health. Prior to this he was at the University of California (Irvine) and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. He received his PhD in Global Health (Metrics) from the University of Washington in 2022.Associate Research Fellow IFPRI
Dr. Chakrabarti is working as an Associate Research Fellow in the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit at IFPRI-SAR based in New Delhi. His research focuses on dietary patterns and their relationship with health outcomes; as well as nutrition-sensitive interventions to improve maternal and child health. Prior to this he was at the University of California (Irvine) and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. He received his PhD in Global Health (Metrics) from the University of Washington in 2022.
Dr. Suman Chakrabarti
Associate Research Fellow IFPRI
Mr. Basanta Kumar Kar
Fondly known as 'Nutrition Man', Mr Basanta Kumar Kar is an international development professional who has won numerous accolades and has a broad experience of leading and managing large country, regional programs and networks in South and South East Asia with demonstrable results. An organisation transformation change leader who has the ability to take the organisation to a new height and global reach. Have proven technical and strategic advisory services expertise in humanitarian and climate change, agriculture, food security, nutrition, health and livelihoods sector. Have experience on providing strategic technical advisory services to the countries like South Africa and Nigeria. Known for influencing public policy and advancing the rights of women and children and possessing political sensitivity; the ability to organise collaboration; even across national borders. Represent in numerous Board and Governance structures, policy, advisory and technical bodies in South Asia.
For the poverty eradication endeavours and innovations in social sector; was conferred with the most prestigious Global Nutrition Leadership Award(2019), Banega Swachh And Swasth (Clean and Healthy) India ‘Hero of the Decade’ recognition (2019), ‘Transform Nutrition Champion’ Award for India and Bangladesh(2016) and Odisha Living Legend Award (2016).He was also recognised by the Government of India for his contribution to the POSHAN Abhiyaan( National Nutrition Mission).
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/basanta-kumar-kar-6757339/
Twitter :https://twitter.com/basantak
For the poverty eradication endeavours and innovations in social sector; was conferred with the most prestigious Global Nutrition Leadership Award(2019), Banega Swachh And Swasth (Clean and Healthy) India ‘Hero of the Decade’ recognition (2019), ‘Transform Nutrition Champion’ Award for India and Bangladesh(2016) and Odisha Living Legend Award (2016).He was also recognised by the Government of India for his contribution to the POSHAN Abhiyaan( National Nutrition Mission).
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/basanta-kumar-kar-6757339/
Twitter :https://twitter.com/basantak
Mr. Basanta Kumar Kar
Nutrition Man of India
Dr. Sheila C. Vir
Dr. Sheila C. Vir is Director, Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre
Sheila C Vir , MSc, PhD, is a senior nutrition consultant and Director of Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre, New Delhi. Following MSc (Food and Nutrition) from University of Delhi, Dr Vir was awarded PhD by the Queen’s University of Belfast, United Kingdom. Dr. Vir, a past secretary of the Nutrition Society of India, is a recipient of the fellowship of the Department of Health and Social Services, UK, and Commonwealth Van den Bergh Nutrition Award. Dr Vir worked briefly with the Aga Khan Foundation (India) and later with UNICEF. As a Nutrition Programme Officer with UNICEF for twenty years, Dr. Vir provided strategic and technical leadership for policy formulation and implementation of nutrition programmes in India.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-vir-98446757/
Sheila C Vir , MSc, PhD, is a senior nutrition consultant and Director of Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre, New Delhi. Following MSc (Food and Nutrition) from University of Delhi, Dr Vir was awarded PhD by the Queen’s University of Belfast, United Kingdom. Dr. Vir, a past secretary of the Nutrition Society of India, is a recipient of the fellowship of the Department of Health and Social Services, UK, and Commonwealth Van den Bergh Nutrition Award. Dr Vir worked briefly with the Aga Khan Foundation (India) and later with UNICEF. As a Nutrition Programme Officer with UNICEF for twenty years, Dr. Vir provided strategic and technical leadership for policy formulation and implementation of nutrition programmes in India.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-vir-98446757/
Dr. Sheila C. Vir
Director, Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre
Dr. Kapil Yadav
Dr. Kapil Yadav is currently Additional Professor at Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. He is also nodal person for National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Anemia Control (NCEAR-A)
He completed his MBBS from University College of Medical Science, New Delhi, and MD (Community Medicine) from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Before joining AIIMS, he worked at Indian Coalition for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD), New Delhi. Dr. Kapil Yadav joined All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the year 2003 and have worked at AIIMS ever since, in various capacities.
Dr. Kapil has more than 150 research publications and he contributes regularly to chapters in books, curriculum/course material, and radio and television programs. Dr. Kapil is a technical expert for AnemiaMukt Bharat (AMB) Anemia Control Program and National Iodine Deficiency Disorders control program in India. Dr. Kapil has also been a consultant for the nutrition program in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He also worked with WHO, UNICEF, WFP, NI, GAIN, BMGF, PATH, FSSAI, and WCD.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapil-yadav-4a04567/
Twitter :https://twitter.com/kapilya23222054
He completed his MBBS from University College of Medical Science, New Delhi, and MD (Community Medicine) from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Before joining AIIMS, he worked at Indian Coalition for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD), New Delhi. Dr. Kapil Yadav joined All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the year 2003 and have worked at AIIMS ever since, in various capacities.
Dr. Kapil has more than 150 research publications and he contributes regularly to chapters in books, curriculum/course material, and radio and television programs. Dr. Kapil is a technical expert for AnemiaMukt Bharat (AMB) Anemia Control Program and National Iodine Deficiency Disorders control program in India. Dr. Kapil has also been a consultant for the nutrition program in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He also worked with WHO, UNICEF, WFP, NI, GAIN, BMGF, PATH, FSSAI, and WCD.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapil-yadav-4a04567/
Twitter :https://twitter.com/kapilya23222054
Dr. Kapil Yadav
Associate Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and Nodal Person NCEAR-A.
Dr. Arjan De Wagt
Dr. Arjan De Wagt
Chief Nutrition Section, UNICEF India
Arjan de Wagt is Chief of the Nutrition section, UNICEF India country office, New Delhi. He has over 25 years’ international experience in several countries and specialises in the management of severe acute malnutrition, emergency nutrition and nutrition in HIV. Previously, he was Chief of Nutrition section of UNICEF Nigeria where he led the nutrition programme, including providing community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM); and support to policy development and advocacy at federal and state level and strengthen partnership and overall coordination of the nutrition response in Nigeria. He completed his MSc Nutrition from Wageningen University.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjandewagt/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/arjandewagt
Chief Nutrition Section, UNICEF India
Arjan de Wagt is Chief of the Nutrition section, UNICEF India country office, New Delhi. He has over 25 years’ international experience in several countries and specialises in the management of severe acute malnutrition, emergency nutrition and nutrition in HIV. Previously, he was Chief of Nutrition section of UNICEF Nigeria where he led the nutrition programme, including providing community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM); and support to policy development and advocacy at federal and state level and strengthen partnership and overall coordination of the nutrition response in Nigeria. He completed his MSc Nutrition from Wageningen University.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjandewagt/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/arjandewagt
Dr. Arjan de Wagt
Chief Nutrition Section UNICEF
Dr. Sujeet Ranjan
Dr. Sujeet Ranjan, Associate Director – Nutrition at Tata Trusts
Dr. Sujeet Ranjan is Associate Director – Nutrition at Tata Trusts, heading the Nutrition portfolio within the organisation. He has been associated with the public health sector for more than two decades. His experience includes large-scale program management, policy advocacy and partnership management.
Prior to this, Dr. Sujeet has worked as Executive Director, Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security (CFNS), Director – CARE India and Chief Operating Officer – Swasthya Management and Research Institute, Hyderabad.
He has also undergone International Fellowship Program on Visionary Leadership. Has undertaken the international fellowship on leadership at the Centre for African Family Studies (CAFS), Nairobi, Kenya, and with the NFPCB, Government of Indonesia, Jakarta.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sujeetranjan
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sujeet-ranjan-phd/
Dr. Sujeet Ranjan is Associate Director – Nutrition at Tata Trusts, heading the Nutrition portfolio within the organisation. He has been associated with the public health sector for more than two decades. His experience includes large-scale program management, policy advocacy and partnership management.
Prior to this, Dr. Sujeet has worked as Executive Director, Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security (CFNS), Director – CARE India and Chief Operating Officer – Swasthya Management and Research Institute, Hyderabad.
He has also undergone International Fellowship Program on Visionary Leadership. Has undertaken the international fellowship on leadership at the Centre for African Family Studies (CAFS), Nairobi, Kenya, and with the NFPCB, Government of Indonesia, Jakarta.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sujeetranjan
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sujeet-ranjan-phd/
Dr. Sujeet Ranjan
Associate Director – Nutrition at Tata Trusts
Ms. Neha Bainsla
Ms. Neha Bainsla, Country Manager at Sight and Life
Neha designs and implements scientifically backed business solutions to reduce the burden of malnutrition. She also fosters meaningful partnerships with enterprising individuals and organizations in the ecosystem who are passionate about serving vulnerable populations to improve their socio-economic indicators.
As a student of history, Neha likes to examine the why and how of problems. Why is a certain section of India still deficient in nutrients? How have the socio-cultural-economic and historical factors played out for the present scenario? This mindset, coupled with her extensive programmatic experience at Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), helps in identifying scalable and sustainable solutions for major public health problems, particularly in the areas of nutrition and WASH.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-bainsla-4a6908161/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/BainslaNeha
Neha designs and implements scientifically backed business solutions to reduce the burden of malnutrition. She also fosters meaningful partnerships with enterprising individuals and organizations in the ecosystem who are passionate about serving vulnerable populations to improve their socio-economic indicators.
As a student of history, Neha likes to examine the why and how of problems. Why is a certain section of India still deficient in nutrients? How have the socio-cultural-economic and historical factors played out for the present scenario? This mindset, coupled with her extensive programmatic experience at Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), helps in identifying scalable and sustainable solutions for major public health problems, particularly in the areas of nutrition and WASH.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-bainsla-4a6908161/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/BainslaNeha
Ms. Neha Bainsla
Country Manager at Sight and Life.
Dr. AvulaLaxmaiah
Dr.AvulaLaxmaiah, Scientist G & Head, Division of Public Health Nutrition, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition
Dr.Laxmaiah is an epidemiologist and public health nutrition specialist in the Division of community studies. Trained in Medicine and Public Health, he has been researching extensively in the areas of Public Health Nutrition. He has been constantly upgrading his skills by taking part in various issue-based training and capacity building programmes related to health, nutrition care and management. He has vast experience in carrying out epidemiological, operational and intervention trials in health and nutrition in areas such as undernutrition (macro and micronutrient deficiencies) and overnutrition and associate (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc.). He is the execution incharge for the activities of the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau.
He is a faculty member for regular as well as adhoc training programmes being organized regularly in the Institute. He has been actively involved in capacity building in the areas of nutrition for the staff of Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), Government of India. He also serves a guest faculty in training programmes organized by many reputed medical institutions, universities and NGOs. He published more than 50 papers in national and international journals, three book chapters and several papers in proceedings of national and international conferences.
He serves an advisory committee member in health and nutrition for reputed Government bodies like the Department of Science and Technology (DST); Mid-day Meal Programme (MDM) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/avula-laxman-23138822/
Dr.Laxmaiah is an epidemiologist and public health nutrition specialist in the Division of community studies. Trained in Medicine and Public Health, he has been researching extensively in the areas of Public Health Nutrition. He has been constantly upgrading his skills by taking part in various issue-based training and capacity building programmes related to health, nutrition care and management. He has vast experience in carrying out epidemiological, operational and intervention trials in health and nutrition in areas such as undernutrition (macro and micronutrient deficiencies) and overnutrition and associate (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc.). He is the execution incharge for the activities of the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau.
He is a faculty member for regular as well as adhoc training programmes being organized regularly in the Institute. He has been actively involved in capacity building in the areas of nutrition for the staff of Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), Government of India. He also serves a guest faculty in training programmes organized by many reputed medical institutions, universities and NGOs. He published more than 50 papers in national and international journals, three book chapters and several papers in proceedings of national and international conferences.
He serves an advisory committee member in health and nutrition for reputed Government bodies like the Department of Science and Technology (DST); Mid-day Meal Programme (MDM) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/avula-laxman-23138822/
Dr. Avula Laxmaiah
Scientist G & Head, Division of Public Health Nutrition, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition.
Dr. Seema Puri
Dr Seema Puri, Ph Dis Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi with over 30 year teaching and research experience.
Herresearchinterestsincludeinfantandyoungchildnutrition,childhoodobesityandNCDs,bonehealth,nutritionandHIV/AIDSandgeriatricnutrition.ShehasundertakenprojectsfundedbyWorldBank,UNICEF,MicronutrientInitiative,DepartmentofScienceandTechnology,GOIetc.SheisamemberoftheStateNutritionCouncil,GovtofNCTofDelhi,member of the Project Review Committee on Biogerontology and Geriatrics, Indian Council ofMedicalResearchandHonoraryConsultanttothePublicHealthFoundationofIndiaandInternationalClinicalEpidemiologyNetwork(INCLEN,India)amongothers.Shehaspresentedpapersatnumerousnationalandinternationalconferencesandhasseveralpublications inpeer reviewedjournals andbooks toher credit. Shehas alsoundertakenshorttermconsultancyassignmentsfortheUNWorldFoodProgrammewhereinshedevelopedcounsellingmaterialrelatedtonutritionandHIV/AIDS,assessinggrowthofchildrenusingnewWHOstandards,maternalandchildnutrition.ShewasinvitedasTemporaryAdvisertotheWorldHealthOrganization(EMRO)fordevelopmentoffoodbaseddietaryguidelines.WithWHO(SEARO),shehasdevelopednutritionmessagesusingthelifecourseapproach.Shehasalsodeveloped“NutritionguidelinesforHIV-‐‑affectedchildren”forUNICEFandNACO. ShehasbeenassociatedwithseveralfoodrelatedcompaniesasaconsultantonresearchandnewproductlaunchessuchasGSKHealthcare,DanoneandPepsiCo.SheisamemberofseveralacademicbodiesincludingtheNutritionSocietyofIndiaandIndianDieteticAssociation.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/seema-puri-01578743/
Herresearchinterestsincludeinfantandyoungchildnutrition,childhoodobesityandNCDs,bonehealth,nutritionandHIV/AIDSandgeriatricnutrition.ShehasundertakenprojectsfundedbyWorldBank,UNICEF,MicronutrientInitiative,DepartmentofScienceandTechnology,GOIetc.SheisamemberoftheStateNutritionCouncil,GovtofNCTofDelhi,member of the Project Review Committee on Biogerontology and Geriatrics, Indian Council ofMedicalResearchandHonoraryConsultanttothePublicHealthFoundationofIndiaandInternationalClinicalEpidemiologyNetwork(INCLEN,India)amongothers.Shehaspresentedpapersatnumerousnationalandinternationalconferencesandhasseveralpublications inpeer reviewedjournals andbooks toher credit. Shehas alsoundertakenshorttermconsultancyassignmentsfortheUNWorldFoodProgrammewhereinshedevelopedcounsellingmaterialrelatedtonutritionandHIV/AIDS,assessinggrowthofchildrenusingnewWHOstandards,maternalandchildnutrition.ShewasinvitedasTemporaryAdvisertotheWorldHealthOrganization(EMRO)fordevelopmentoffoodbaseddietaryguidelines.WithWHO(SEARO),shehasdevelopednutritionmessagesusingthelifecourseapproach.Shehasalsodeveloped“NutritionguidelinesforHIV-‐‑affectedchildren”forUNICEFandNACO. ShehasbeenassociatedwithseveralfoodrelatedcompaniesasaconsultantonresearchandnewproductlaunchessuchasGSKHealthcare,DanoneandPepsiCo.SheisamemberofseveralacademicbodiesincludingtheNutritionSocietyofIndiaandIndianDieteticAssociation.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/seema-puri-01578743/
Dr. Seema Puri
Professor, Department of Nutrition Institute of Home Economics University of Delhi
Mr. Tarun Vij
Mr. Tarun Vij, Country Director, India Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
Tarun Vij joined GAIN India as Country Director in September 2015. Combining 18 years' entrepreneurial experience in the commercial sector with ten years in leadership positions in international development, Tarun brings a unique perspective on challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable solutions when scaling up access and service delivery to under-served communities.
In the past, Tarun has led PATH’s global health portfolio in India with project teams executing projects on vaccines and immunisation, maternal and new-born health and nutrition, tuberculosis control, diarrhoeal disease and more.
Prior to PATH, he served as the Country Director of the America India Foundation, where he led the development and implementation of a strategy to scale up programmes, including interventions in primary and secondary education for children of migrant workers. He also spent three years as Project Director at the Transport Corporation of India (TCI) Foundation, the implementing partner of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Avahan Initiative to combat HIV/AIDS in India.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/tavij/
Twitter :https://twitter.com/vijtarun
Tarun Vij joined GAIN India as Country Director in September 2015. Combining 18 years' entrepreneurial experience in the commercial sector with ten years in leadership positions in international development, Tarun brings a unique perspective on challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable solutions when scaling up access and service delivery to under-served communities.
In the past, Tarun has led PATH’s global health portfolio in India with project teams executing projects on vaccines and immunisation, maternal and new-born health and nutrition, tuberculosis control, diarrhoeal disease and more.
Prior to PATH, he served as the Country Director of the America India Foundation, where he led the development and implementation of a strategy to scale up programmes, including interventions in primary and secondary education for children of migrant workers. He also spent three years as Project Director at the Transport Corporation of India (TCI) Foundation, the implementing partner of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Avahan Initiative to combat HIV/AIDS in India.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/tavij/
Twitter :https://twitter.com/vijtarun
Mr. Tarun Vij
Country Director, India Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
Ms. Deepika Nayar Chaudhery
Ms. Deepika Nayar Chaudhery, Senior Health, Nutrition and Population Specialist, World Bank Group
Over twenty years of experience in maternal and child nutrition and health in South Asia working in diverse contexts that affect the world´s most vulnerable populations in both technical and managerial capacities. Currently working as Senior Health and Nutrition Specialist at the World Bank in New Delhi. Previously as Deputy Regional Director of the Nutritional International, Asia, oversaw the development and delivery of nutrition and health programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Nepal and Pakistan working closely with the country governments. Prior experience includes working as a Nutrition Specialist at CARE India to support state governments to strengthen the delivery of nutrition interventions as a part of the Integrated Child Development Services and Reproductive and Child Health programs. Worked also as a Nutrition Project Officer, Unicef, responsible for nutrition program operations for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A doctorate in Nutrition from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, with more than 50 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and also author of book chapters.
Specialties: Supporting country governments to design and develop large scale public health programs; technical expert in maternal and child nutrition; program management; and building teams with expertise to deliver nutrition programs.
LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepika-nayar-chaudhery-13304b35/
Over twenty years of experience in maternal and child nutrition and health in South Asia working in diverse contexts that affect the world´s most vulnerable populations in both technical and managerial capacities. Currently working as Senior Health and Nutrition Specialist at the World Bank in New Delhi. Previously as Deputy Regional Director of the Nutritional International, Asia, oversaw the development and delivery of nutrition and health programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Nepal and Pakistan working closely with the country governments. Prior experience includes working as a Nutrition Specialist at CARE India to support state governments to strengthen the delivery of nutrition interventions as a part of the Integrated Child Development Services and Reproductive and Child Health programs. Worked also as a Nutrition Project Officer, Unicef, responsible for nutrition program operations for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A doctorate in Nutrition from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, with more than 50 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and also author of book chapters.
Specialties: Supporting country governments to design and develop large scale public health programs; technical expert in maternal and child nutrition; program management; and building teams with expertise to deliver nutrition programs.
LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepika-nayar-chaudhery-13304b35/
Dr. Deepika Chaudhery
Senior Health and Nutrition Specialist World Bank
Dr. Hemang Shah
Dr. Hemang Shah Director Child Health and Development Children's Investment Fund Foundation
Hemang Shah is CIFF’s Child Health and Development director for India and leads investments in areas of nutrition, health and WASH.
Before joining CIFF in 2018, Hemang has led different public health and nutrition programs while working with State Government in India, UN agencies, international Health NGO and the private sector.
His areas of expertise and interest include maternal and child health, nutrition, neglected tropical diseases and WASH.
Hemang is a trained medical doctor with specialisation in public health. He is part of multiple networks and Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) focussing on areas of his interest.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hemang-shah-17137215/
Hemang Shah is CIFF’s Child Health and Development director for India and leads investments in areas of nutrition, health and WASH.
Before joining CIFF in 2018, Hemang has led different public health and nutrition programs while working with State Government in India, UN agencies, international Health NGO and the private sector.
His areas of expertise and interest include maternal and child health, nutrition, neglected tropical diseases and WASH.
Hemang is a trained medical doctor with specialisation in public health. He is part of multiple networks and Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) focussing on areas of his interest.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hemang-shah-17137215/
Dr. Hemang Shah
Director Child Health and Development Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
Dr. Sebanti Ghosh
Dr. Sebanti Ghosh Sr. Technical Advisor Nutrition, Alive & Thrive South Asia
Sebanti heads A&T’s program in India and provides overall technical and operational leadership to the program. Sebanti has over 22 years of experience as public health expert, specializing in nutrition, reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health (RMNCH+A), gender, and reproductive health and rights. Prior to joining A&T, Sebanti was the Senior Technical Advisor RMNCH+A at John Snow Inc. She has also served in several leadership positions under the DFID supported Health Sector Reforms Programme in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Sebanti has also held technical and consultancy positions with the WHO, UN, government agencies, and various NGOs.
LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebanti-ghosh-354754109/
Sebanti heads A&T’s program in India and provides overall technical and operational leadership to the program. Sebanti has over 22 years of experience as public health expert, specializing in nutrition, reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health (RMNCH+A), gender, and reproductive health and rights. Prior to joining A&T, Sebanti was the Senior Technical Advisor RMNCH+A at John Snow Inc. She has also served in several leadership positions under the DFID supported Health Sector Reforms Programme in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Sebanti has also held technical and consultancy positions with the WHO, UN, government agencies, and various NGOs.
LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebanti-ghosh-354754109/
Dr.Sebanti Ghosh
Technical Advisor Nutrition, Alive & Thrive South Asia
Dr. Shweta Khandelwal
Dr. Shweta Khandelwal, Head, Nutrition Research and Additional Professorat the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Delhi.
Dr Shweta Khandelwal is Head, Nutrition Research at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Delhi. She also serves as the Program Manger, Lancet COVID-19 India Taskforce. She is a trained and experienced public health nutrition researcher working in the maternal child health and nutrition space for last 17 years. She studies nutrition epidemiology of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors among the Indian population. She serves on government constituted expert panels for oils and fats, sustainable healthy diets and combating high fat, sugar and salt in Indian population. Shweta is the lead for capacity building initiatives in Public Health Nutrition at PHFI. In addition to more than 70 peer reviewed articles in scholarly journals and book chapters, she has contributed several op-eds and review pieces in leading international and national print and online media. Shweta has also won several prestigious awards and recognition in the area of public health and nutrition.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shweta-khandelwal-a20571147/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/shwetaPHN
Dr Shweta Khandelwal is Head, Nutrition Research at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Delhi. She also serves as the Program Manger, Lancet COVID-19 India Taskforce. She is a trained and experienced public health nutrition researcher working in the maternal child health and nutrition space for last 17 years. She studies nutrition epidemiology of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors among the Indian population. She serves on government constituted expert panels for oils and fats, sustainable healthy diets and combating high fat, sugar and salt in Indian population. Shweta is the lead for capacity building initiatives in Public Health Nutrition at PHFI. In addition to more than 70 peer reviewed articles in scholarly journals and book chapters, she has contributed several op-eds and review pieces in leading international and national print and online media. Shweta has also won several prestigious awards and recognition in the area of public health and nutrition.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shweta-khandelwal-a20571147/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/shwetaPHN
Dr. Shweta Khandelwal
Senior Public Health Nutrition Expert at Centre for Chronic Disease Control CCDC, Delhi
Dr Shariqua Yunus
Dr Shariqua Yunus, Head of Nutrition World Food Program
Dr ShariquaYunus graduated in medicine from the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh in 2001. She is a gold medallist in Community Medicine and subsequently did her post graduation in Community Medicine from the same college in 2005. She holds a diploma in Public Health Nutrition from the Public Health Foundation of India and has also been trained on the management of nutrition in emergencies by the University College of London and Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre.
She has worked on the ASHA project under the National Rural Health Mission with the training division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. She has also worked as the focal point for Nutrition at the World Health Organization, Country Office for India. Currently, she is working as the Head of the Nutrition and School feeding unit at the World Food Programme office in India.
She has to her credit several research papers in various national and international journals.
Her main areas of interest are maternal and child health, infant and young child feeding and links between disease and nutrition.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shariqua-yunus-3b274938/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/shariquay
Dr ShariquaYunus graduated in medicine from the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh in 2001. She is a gold medallist in Community Medicine and subsequently did her post graduation in Community Medicine from the same college in 2005. She holds a diploma in Public Health Nutrition from the Public Health Foundation of India and has also been trained on the management of nutrition in emergencies by the University College of London and Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre.
She has worked on the ASHA project under the National Rural Health Mission with the training division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. She has also worked as the focal point for Nutrition at the World Health Organization, Country Office for India. Currently, she is working as the Head of the Nutrition and School feeding unit at the World Food Programme office in India.
She has to her credit several research papers in various national and international journals.
Her main areas of interest are maternal and child health, infant and young child feeding and links between disease and nutrition.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shariqua-yunus-3b274938/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/shariquay
Dr. Shariqua Yunus
Head of Nutrition World Food Program
Dr. Praveen Kumar
Prof. Praveen Kumar is a paediatrician working as Director Professor of Pediatrics Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, New Delhi. He is also the Lead cum Coordinator of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for management of Severe Acute Malnutrition Network.
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Praveen56489174
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Praveen56489174
Dr. Praveen Kumar
Prof. Praveen Kumar is a paediatrician working as Director Professor of Pediatrics Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, New Delhi.
Dr. Shoba Suri
Dr.Shoba Suri Senior Fellow, Health Initiative, Observer Research Foundation
Dr. Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with Observer Research Foundation ORF’s Health Initiative. Shoba is a nutritionist with experience in community and clinical research. She has worked on nutrition, healthcare, infant and young child feeding, policy advocacy and assessment.
Shoba is a trained Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselling specialist with more than 40 research publications in scientific journals and books. She has travelled widely during her research work.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoba-suri-463170136/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/shoba_suri
Dr. Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with Observer Research Foundation ORF’s Health Initiative. Shoba is a nutritionist with experience in community and clinical research. She has worked on nutrition, healthcare, infant and young child feeding, policy advocacy and assessment.
Shoba is a trained Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) counselling specialist with more than 40 research publications in scientific journals and books. She has travelled widely during her research work.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoba-suri-463170136/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/shoba_suri
Dr. Shoba Suri
Senior Fellow, Health Initiative, Observer Research Foundation
Roli Singh
Roli Singh
Mrs. Roli Singh is presently Additional Secretary and Mission Director at the National Health Mission in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, of Government of India
Alumnus of Welham Girls School and Lady Sriram College, from where she graduated in History, Mrs. Singh holds Master’s Degree in Public Management and Governance from the London School of Economics. She belongs to the 1994 batch of the IAS, Rajasthan Cadre.
In her vast career spanning almost 28 years in the Civil Services, she has worked across various sectors including Health, Medical Education, Women and Child Welfare. Besides, she has held important positions in the Department of Personnel & Training, the HR and capacity building wing of the Government, both at the State and the Central Government at the middle and higher management levels. She has also held faculty position at the premier Civil Services Training Institution, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration – Mussoorie. Her area of interests includes Public Service Delivery and the Regulatory institutional architecture. She is also an avid reader and enjoys gardening.
Mrs. Roli Singh is presently Additional Secretary and Mission Director at the National Health Mission in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, of Government of India
Alumnus of Welham Girls School and Lady Sriram College, from where she graduated in History, Mrs. Singh holds Master’s Degree in Public Management and Governance from the London School of Economics. She belongs to the 1994 batch of the IAS, Rajasthan Cadre.
In her vast career spanning almost 28 years in the Civil Services, she has worked across various sectors including Health, Medical Education, Women and Child Welfare. Besides, she has held important positions in the Department of Personnel & Training, the HR and capacity building wing of the Government, both at the State and the Central Government at the middle and higher management levels. She has also held faculty position at the premier Civil Services Training Institution, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration – Mussoorie. Her area of interests includes Public Service Delivery and the Regulatory institutional architecture. She is also an avid reader and enjoys gardening.
Ms. Roli Singh
Additional Secretary and Mission Director at the National Health Mission in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, of Government of India
Dr. Sila Deb
Dr. Sila Deb is an Additional Commissioner of the Child Health, & In Charge – Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India
Dr. Sila Deb is an Additional Commissioner of the Child Health, & In Charge – Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, overseeing the National Child Health Programme for Child Health and Nutrition.She has worked extensively in various health and nutrition programmes of Government of India. She is currently actively involved in implementation of Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme.
Dr. Sila Deb is an Additional Commissioner of the Child Health, & In Charge – Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, overseeing the National Child Health Programme for Child Health and Nutrition.She has worked extensively in various health and nutrition programmes of Government of India. She is currently actively involved in implementation of Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme.
Dr. Sila Deb
Additional Commissioner of the Child Health, & In Charge – Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India
Dr. Sarita Anand
Dr. Sarita Anand - Professor, Department of Development Communication and Extension and Lead, ROSHNI
She is passionate about teaching and has been conducting research studies and outreach activities with young students and peers for over 25 years.
Her interests include Development Communication, analysis of policies and programmes for gender and development, Education and Training for change, and ICTs for Development. She has been involved in projects with several national and international organisations. She has lead qualitative research studies for Behaviour Change Communication using Positive Deviance approach. She has also co-edited two books and has co-authored a module on C4D for administrators. She has also contributed to curriculum design and writing of study materials for schools and distance education institutions.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarita-anand-9b362410/
She is passionate about teaching and has been conducting research studies and outreach activities with young students and peers for over 25 years.
Her interests include Development Communication, analysis of policies and programmes for gender and development, Education and Training for change, and ICTs for Development. She has been involved in projects with several national and international organisations. She has lead qualitative research studies for Behaviour Change Communication using Positive Deviance approach. She has also co-edited two books and has co-authored a module on C4D for administrators. She has also contributed to curriculum design and writing of study materials for schools and distance education institutions.
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarita-anand-9b362410/
Dr. Sarita Anand
Professor, Department of Development Communication and Extension and Lead, ROSHNI
Mr. Sumanthra Rao
Mr. Sumanthra Rao, Managing Director India Dimagi
Mr. Sumanthra Rao drives a portfolio of health and nutrition projects in his role as Managing Director of the India Division. With extensive past experience in consulting and program management, he has an established track record of implementing transformational technology initiatives in the eGovernance and Development sectors. As a practitioner, Sumanthra enjoys architecting optimal technology solutions contributing in concept development, right-sizing requirements and process refinements, which have demonstrated technology adoption at scale. At Dimagi, Sumanthra has been associated with a wide range of partner organizations and Governments in India. Prior to joining Dimagi, he has held senior positions at the Centre for Digital Financial Inclusion (IFMR), State Government of Haryana, Government of India and Intel’s consulting division, besides being an entrepreneur.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumanthra-rao-12b150a5/
Mr. Sumanthra Rao drives a portfolio of health and nutrition projects in his role as Managing Director of the India Division. With extensive past experience in consulting and program management, he has an established track record of implementing transformational technology initiatives in the eGovernance and Development sectors. As a practitioner, Sumanthra enjoys architecting optimal technology solutions contributing in concept development, right-sizing requirements and process refinements, which have demonstrated technology adoption at scale. At Dimagi, Sumanthra has been associated with a wide range of partner organizations and Governments in India. Prior to joining Dimagi, he has held senior positions at the Centre for Digital Financial Inclusion (IFMR), State Government of Haryana, Government of India and Intel’s consulting division, besides being an entrepreneur.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumanthra-rao-12b150a5/
Mr. Sumanthra Rao
Managing Director India Dimagi
Professor Aasha Kapur Mehta
Professor Aasha Kapur Mehta, Chairperson, Centre for Gender Studies, Institute for Human Development, New Delhi and Former Professor, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.
Professor Aasha Kapur Mehta is former Professor of Economics, Indian Institute of Public Administration. She worked at IIPA for 32 years. Prior to this she taught at Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University. She studied at Delhi School of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Iowa State University, USA. She received the Fulbright Scholarship, the McNamara fellowship, Phi Kappa Phi (for overall excellence in academics), Gamma Sigma Delta (for excellence in agricultural economics), was recognised as an Associate of the University of Birmingham and was nominated for the Gender Economist, Skoch Development Challenger award.
She was invited as an expert to assist NITI Aayog in formulating the Rural Economy chapter for the Vision, Strategy and Action Plan document. She was a Member of the Core Group of the Ad-hoc Task Force appointed by the Cabinet Secretariat for reviewing the performance targets of Government Ministries/Departments included in their Results-Framework Documents for several years. In addition to serving as Member, Group of Feminist Economists constituted by Planning Commission to review the Sectoral Reports of Working Groups and Steering Committees for the Eleventh and Twelfth Plans, she was a Member of Working Groups, and chaired the Subgroup on “Gender Mainstreaming and Effective Accountability Mechanisms” for the Twelfth Plan and the Subgroup on Gender and Agriculture for the Eleventh Plan. She has also invited to serve on several Committees constituted by Ministries such as MoRD, MoPR, MWCD and MoSPI.
Professor Aasha Kapur Mehta is former Professor of Economics, Indian Institute of Public Administration. She worked at IIPA for 32 years. Prior to this she taught at Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University. She studied at Delhi School of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Iowa State University, USA. She received the Fulbright Scholarship, the McNamara fellowship, Phi Kappa Phi (for overall excellence in academics), Gamma Sigma Delta (for excellence in agricultural economics), was recognised as an Associate of the University of Birmingham and was nominated for the Gender Economist, Skoch Development Challenger award.
She was invited as an expert to assist NITI Aayog in formulating the Rural Economy chapter for the Vision, Strategy and Action Plan document. She was a Member of the Core Group of the Ad-hoc Task Force appointed by the Cabinet Secretariat for reviewing the performance targets of Government Ministries/Departments included in their Results-Framework Documents for several years. In addition to serving as Member, Group of Feminist Economists constituted by Planning Commission to review the Sectoral Reports of Working Groups and Steering Committees for the Eleventh and Twelfth Plans, she was a Member of Working Groups, and chaired the Subgroup on “Gender Mainstreaming and Effective Accountability Mechanisms” for the Twelfth Plan and the Subgroup on Gender and Agriculture for the Eleventh Plan. She has also invited to serve on several Committees constituted by Ministries such as MoRD, MoPR, MWCD and MoSPI.
Professor Aasha Kapur Mehta
Chairperson, Centre for Gender Studies, Institute for Human Development, New Delhi and Former Professor, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.
Dr. Dipa Sinha
Dr. Dipa Sinha - Assistant Professor at the School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD).
Dipa Sinha is an Assistant Professor at the School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD). Before joining AUD, she worked with the Office of Commissioners to the Supreme Court, Centre for Equity Studies and Public Health Research Network, and is actively involved with the Right to Food Campaign.
Dipa has done her MA in Economics from JNU, MSc in Development Studies from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London and PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She has worked on issues related to food rights, nutrition and public health.
Dipa was a member of the Project Team for the report on Nutrition and Food Systems (Committee on World Food Security, FAO). Apart from being an adviser to various organisations working on Right to Food and Nutrition, Dipa is a Member of the Governing Board of State Health Resource Centre (SHRC) in Chhattisgarh. She is also a member of the Governing Board of Public Health Resource Society in Delhi.
Her research interests include food security and nutrition, public health, gender and development.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sinhadipa
Dipa Sinha is an Assistant Professor at the School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD). Before joining AUD, she worked with the Office of Commissioners to the Supreme Court, Centre for Equity Studies and Public Health Research Network, and is actively involved with the Right to Food Campaign.
Dipa has done her MA in Economics from JNU, MSc in Development Studies from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London and PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She has worked on issues related to food rights, nutrition and public health.
Dipa was a member of the Project Team for the report on Nutrition and Food Systems (Committee on World Food Security, FAO). Apart from being an adviser to various organisations working on Right to Food and Nutrition, Dipa is a Member of the Governing Board of State Health Resource Centre (SHRC) in Chhattisgarh. She is also a member of the Governing Board of Public Health Resource Society in Delhi.
Her research interests include food security and nutrition, public health, gender and development.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sinhadipa
Dr. Dipa Sinha
Assistant Professor at the School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD)
Dr Richa S Pandey
Dr Richa S Pandey
Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF, Delhi
Dr Richa Singh Pandey is working as a Nutrition Specialist in UNICEF Delhi where she is leading UNICEF’s nutrition work around governance, policies, partnerships, advocacy & leadership.
Prior to joining Delhi office Dr Pandey was working with UNICEFs UP office for almost 14 years. In UP she was engaged in providing leadership for strategic planning, designing and managing implementation of government led nutrition programs.
Dr Pandey is a medical doctor and holds a post graduate degree in Public Health Nutrition. She has extensively partnered with government Medical Colleges, NGOs, academic bodies and technical agencies for creating capacities, setting up external monitoring mechanisms and documenting progress of nutrition programs.
Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF, Delhi
Dr Richa Singh Pandey is working as a Nutrition Specialist in UNICEF Delhi where she is leading UNICEF’s nutrition work around governance, policies, partnerships, advocacy & leadership.
Prior to joining Delhi office Dr Pandey was working with UNICEFs UP office for almost 14 years. In UP she was engaged in providing leadership for strategic planning, designing and managing implementation of government led nutrition programs.
Dr Pandey is a medical doctor and holds a post graduate degree in Public Health Nutrition. She has extensively partnered with government Medical Colleges, NGOs, academic bodies and technical agencies for creating capacities, setting up external monitoring mechanisms and documenting progress of nutrition programs.
Dr Richa S Pandey
Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF, Delhi
