Before joining ANU...

I worked as a population health academic at the University of Canberra, Faculty of Health, Health Research Institute, with a research interest in global health and health system strengthening. I previously worked overseas as a clinician and substantively as a population health academic and health program implementation specialist developing community health programs.

The reason I chose ANU...

is because of its established academic and research credentials and the chance to grow in a nurturing and enabling environment professionally. Working at the Medical School also provides a unique opportunity to amalgamate my varied population health, clinical and academic experiences.

My role is...

as a Lecturer in Population Health and Social Science for the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery program, in addition to continuing my research in global health, health system strengthening, and population health epidemiology. I am excited to grow into the role and work with my new colleagues.

Something new I want to learn this year...

is how to grow my own veggies - a wonderful way to be self-sufficient and contributing, in my small way, to a cleaner environment.

The best advice I’ve ever heard...

I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors wherever I've worked. Amongst those mentors is Professor Deborah Maine, previously at Boston University, who shared that "perfection is the enemy of the council of good" in response to a community maternal health program where we were trying to push multiple interventions. This quote reflects the fine balance between well-meaning perfectionist tendencies in academia, and a grounded approach that population health promotes, where sustained (and sensible) action advances social and health wellbeing.

I’m looking forward to...

exploring ANU’s beautiful campus and getting to know our students.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me...

outdoors being a nature buff. Canberra has wonderful green spaces, with the botanical garden on-top of my list, along with lovely bush walking spots.

My ethnic/cultural heritage is...

linked to the places, people, and experiences that largely shaped me. I’m originally from North India, where family and social connectedness form a large part of our cultural identity, as is being warm and hospitable.