Dr. Rajesh Kumar is a public health leader with expertise in epidemiology, health equity, and medical education. Former Dean (Academic) and Head of the Department of Community Medicine and the School of Public Health at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, he currently serves as Screening Editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Research and Adjunct Faculty at University Institute of Public Health Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India).
Dr. Manmeet Kaur, PhD., is a Retired Professor of Health Promotion at School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. She has about 30 years of experience of teaching and research in public health.. She is a member of Indian Council of Medical Research taskforce on respectful maternity care and member of Executive Committee of International Childbirth Initiative. She has published 115 research articles, one book and contributed chapters in nine books. Her h index is 31. Recently, she has contributed two chapters in the book on “The Global Handbook of Health Promotion Research”.
Dr. Guneet Singh holds a Doctorate in Psychology from Panjab University, Chandigarh. A social psychologist, academician, and researcher, she has worked with the Department of Community Medicine and the School of Public Health at PGIMER, Chandigarh, where she taught social sciences and health promotion to undergraduate and postgraduate public health students. She has also taught counselling and psychotherapy programs at Panjab University. Her research experience includes designing and implementing participatory, community-based interventions in health promotion, respectful maternity care, and road safety. She has served as a road safety consultant on a World Bank–supported project in Rajasthan.
Abhishek Sharma is an anthropologist and researcher with a PhD and extensive experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research on health, traditional medicine, and community wellbeing. He has worked with prestigious institutions including PGIMER, HelpAge India, and various research initiatives in Himalayan region, leading projects on documenting folk knowledge, adolescent substance use, and the mental health of senior citizens. His work combines ethnographic fieldwork, data analysis, and community engagement to generate actionable insights that inform health interventions and policy. Passionate about bridging traditional knowledge with scientific research, Abhishek is committed to promoting culturally sensitive, evidence-based health solutions that improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
Vijin holds 12 years of experience in management, public health, and socio behavioral research. He holds a master’s degree in management and business administration. His expertise lies in mixed methods data analysis in health system policy research. He has about 8 years’ experience maternal and child nutrition and four years’ experience in conducting applied and policy-oriented health research among marginalized communities. Vijin is committed to bridging research, policy, and implementation by working closely with governments, donors, and development partners to ensure effective resource utilisation, scalable impact, and the strengthening of inclusive, evidence-based, and accountable health systems.
Inayat Singh Kakar is a qualitative researcher and public health practitioner with an inter-disciplinary background. She holds a bachelor's degree in Law and a Master of Social Degree in Public Health. She has worked previously on research projects involving communities and advocacy with the government on maternal health, rights of childbearing women, patients’ rights, regulation of the private healthcare sector, non-communicable diseases and access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her research interests include maternal health, health systems governance, and social and political determinants of health. She is a member of rights-based people's groups and alliances in India such as the People's Health Movement India and the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood India.
