My research agenda is deeply rooted in the goal of improving public health by generating high-quality evidence for policy making and intervention strategies. Over the past decade, my work has primarily focused on three critical areas: infectious disease epidemiology, tobacco control, and health metrics, with a current emphasis on disease burden estimation. My research approach integrates rigorous methodology with a strong commitment to real-world impact.
I have a strong research focus on infectious disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness. My research aims to enhance real-time disease monitoring, improve outbreak detection, and strengthen public health response systems. I have led efforts to develop robust surveillance models for respiratory and vector-borne diseases, integrating digital health technologies, AI-driven analytics, and epidemiological modelling to improve forecasting and preparedness. My work also includes establishing comprehensive data management and interpretation frameworks to support evidence-based decision-making. By incorporating a One Health approach, I contribute to understanding zoonotic spillover risks and the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health. Additionally, I am engaged in initiatives to improve hospital-based and community-level infectious disease surveillance, ensuring that public health systems are equipped to respond effectively to emerging and re-emerging disease threats. Through these efforts, I strive to build a resilient and data-driven epidemic intelligence system that informs policy and strengthens global health security.
A significant part of my research is dedicated to estimating the global and local burden of diseases. My involvement in the GBD India experts’ committee and the Eastern Mediterranean region burden of disease studies has allowed me to tailor these estimates to regional and national contexts. Accurate disease burden data is essential for policymakers to allocate resources efficiently, design effective interventions, and track progress over time. By continuously refining estimates, I strive to provide the most relevant and up-to-date information to decision-makers.
Tobacco control is another key area of my research. My work has contributed to understanding trends in tobacco consumption and evaluating policy interventions, such as taxation and advertising restrictions. Given the vast burden of tobacco-related diseases, I aim to provide evidence that strengthens legislative and public health efforts to reduce tobacco use and associated health risks.
My research philosophy is anchored in interdisciplinary collaboration. Public health challenges are complex, requiring expertise from multiple domains, including epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioural sciences, and policy studies. I actively seek partnerships with researchers from different fields to enhance the scope and applicability of my work.
Looking ahead, I intend to expand my research in disease burden estimation and tobacco control. My goal is to develop more refined methodologies that account for emerging health threats, social determinants of health, and the evolving landscape of non-communicable diseases. I am particularly interested in advancing methods for sub-national disease burden estimation, allowing for more targeted interventions at the local level.
Ultimately, my research is driven by the belief that data-driven decisions can save lives. By providing robust and actionable evidence, I hope to contribute to public health policies that reduce disease burdens and improve health outcomes worldwide.