Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - India Research Center

05/05/2026

The 7th Edition of the Harvard Health Systems Innovation Lab (HSIL) Hackathon brought together a global community of changemakers to reimagine how health systems can deliver high-value care in an increasingly complex world.

This year’s theme, “Building High-Value Health Systems: Leveraging AI,” could not have been more timely.

Across April 10-11, 2026, the Hackathon saw an extraordinary response:
14,000+ applicants
41 countries
50 global hubs

The India Hub was a vibrant part of this global movement, brought together through a collaboration between the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health-India Research Center, KIIT School of Public Health, KIIT Technology Business Incubator, KIIT Technology Enabling Centre, and Incubation Centre IIT Patna.

Hosted across two locations; Patna, Bihar and Bhubaneswar, Odisha, participants from across India, spanning public health, medicine, engineering, technology, design, and entrepreneurship, came together to develop innovative and scalable solutions aligned with the theme.

The Hackathon created a dynamic platform where ideas moved rapidly from concept to prototype, demonstrating how interdisciplinary collaboration can accelerate progress towards stronger, more resilient health systems.

We are excited that selected teams from the India Hub will now advance to the next stage of the global HSIL program, taking forward solutions that have the potential to transform health systems at scale.

30/04/2026

Dr. Ananya Awasthi is the Founder-Director of Anuvaad Solutions, which works closely with the Ministry of Women and Child Development in advancing India’s Poshan agenda. Her work focuses on translating scientific evidence to inform the national nutrition program, promoting data-driven strategies to address child malnutrition, strengthening the Anganwadi system, training and capacity building of community health workers, science communication and leveraging technology for nutrition promotion.

Before founding Anuvaad, Dr. Awasthi worked as the Assistant Director at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health- India Research Center in Mumbai. She also serves on the Managing Committee of the Harvard Business School–India Research Center. In the past she has also served as the Secretary of the Harvard Club of India.

A dentist by training, Dr. Awasthi holds a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), specializing in Global Health and Population, from Harvard University.

Dr. Awasthi has recently authored the book Living the Vivekananda Way: Practical Spirituality for Modern India, released by Rupa Publications. She is also a trained Hindustani classical singer and curates cultural programmes and festivals for tribal and folk artists.

Read more about her experience at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: https://hsph.harvard.edu/india-center/news/alumni-spotlight-dr-ananya-awasthi/

21/04/2026

The health risks associated with the use of to***co, alcohol, or their concurrent use extend beyond individual morbidity, with significant implications for major public health priorities, including non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and liver disorders. In addition, they intersect with a broader set of concerns, including mental health, injuries, domestic violence, poverty, and nutrition.

Recognising these challenges, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - India Research Center recently hosted the second roundtable, “Advancing To***co and Alcohol Control in India: Evidence and the Next Steps” in Mumbai on April 6, 2026. The discussion brought together representatives from the National and State governments, research institutions, implementing agencies, and community-based organizations.

The deliberations focused on the need for coordinated policy action and targeted media campaigns to prevent initiation, encourage cessation, and strengthen India’s public health system. It further emphasised the role of governments in public awareness, strategic communication, and strengthening institutional platforms. Through shared commitment, evidence-based collaboration, and collective leadership, we look forward to moving closer to achieving a to***co- and alcohol-free future.

11/03/2026

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health-India Research Center is organizing a two-day workshop on “Improving Public Health Through Climate Action.” This workshop is designed to equip medical and public health professionals and researchers with the tools to more actively engage stakeholders in climate policy to improve the health of the community.

Faculty Lead:
Dr. Gaurab Basu, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Featured Speakers:
1. Mr. Markus Berensson, Head of Mitigation Research, C40 Cities
2. Dr. Poornima Prabhakaran, Director Centre for Health Analytics Research and Trends, Ashoka University
3. Mr. Vaibhav Chowdhary, Director, Ashoka Centre for a People- Centric Energy Transition, Ashoka University

What can you expect?
- Understand the impact of climate change on health
- Discuss opportunities to use community-engaged research to support evidence-based decision-making at different levels of government
- Consider ways in which climate policy can improve the health of communities you serve

Date: June 9-10, 2026
Venue: Lower Parel, Mumbai
Read more and register: hsph.me/climate-action-irc
Application Deadline: April 12,2026

19/11/2025

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center is pleased to announce the third webinar in the series, “The Impact of Diets on Non-Communicable Diseases: Evidence and the Next Steps,” aimed at strengthening public health responses in India.

The Webinar “Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Cancer in India: Integrating Evidence into Public Health Action” will examine the role of dietary approaches in the prevention and management of cancer. Leading global and national experts will share insights on the existing research, public health initiatives, and strategic measures necessary to address this public health challenge.

Panelists:

Dr. Heather Eliassen
Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Dr. Shalini Singh
Director,
ICMR- National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research,
Department of Health Research,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Dr. Stephanie Smith-Warner
Senior Lecturer on Nutritional Epidemiology,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Moderator:

Dr. K. Viswanath
Lee K*m Kee Professor of Health Communication,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 6:30-7.30 PM IST/8.00-9.00 AM EST
Mode: Online, on Zoom
Register: https://hsph.me/cancer-nutrition

15/11/2025

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center is pleased to announce the third webinar in the series, “The Impact of Diets on Non-Communicable Diseases: Evidence and the Next Steps,” aimed at strengthening public health responses in India.

The Webinar “Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Cancer in India: Integrating Evidence into Public Health Action” will examine the role of dietary approaches in the prevention and management of cancer. Leading global and national experts will share insights on the existing research, public health initiatives, and strategic measures necessary to address this public health challenge.

Panelists:

Dr. Heather Eliassen
Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Dr. Shalini Singh
Director,
ICMR- National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research,
Department of Health Research,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Dr. Stephanie Smith-Warner
Senior Lecturer on Nutritional Epidemiology,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Moderator:

Dr. K. Viswanath
Lee K*m Kee Professor of Health Communication,
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 6:30-7.30 PM IST/8.00-9.00 AM EST
Mode: Online, on Zoom
Register: https://hsph.me/cancer-nutrition

13/11/2025

Dr. Ramya Pinnamaneni is a public health researcher and physician with over ten years of experience in maternal, child, and adolescent health as well as social and behavioral change, health communication, and health equity.

From studying and working at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to serving as the Director of the School of Public Health at KIIT Deemed to be University, Odisha, her journey reflects her commitment to advancing equity and mentoring future leaders. Her work has taken her from classrooms in Delhi and Harvard to fieldwork in Sierra Leone, fuelling her passion for bridging the gap between research, practice, and policy in India.

Read Dr. Pinnamaneni’s inspiring story and see how Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health helps shape impactful leaders in public health.

hsph.harvard.edu/india-center/news/alumni-spotlight-dr-ramya-pinnamaneni/

07/11/2025

Demonstrating the convergence of academic rigor and community engagement, Ms. Melinda Mastan, MPH Candidate ’25, completed her practicum with the Society for Nutrition, Education, and Health Action (SNEHA) in Mumbai. Supported by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - India Research Center’s internship grant, Melinda focused on maternal and child nutrition, leveraging data and innovative AI tools to collaborate with community health workers and enhance nutrition outcomes.

Discover how internship opportunities offered by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center connect master's students with impactful public health work in India.

Read Melinda Mastan’s inspiring story: https://hsph.harvard.edu/india-center/news/discovering-approaches-to-maternal-and-child-health-lessons-from-local-ngosin-india/

Learn more and apply for the 2026 Internship grant for Harvard Chan students: hsph.me/india-internship

The application deadline is 5:00 PM EST on November 16, 2025

15/10/2025

Glimpses from our recent panel discussion on “Shifting Boundaries: Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases”, hosted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center on October 8, 2025.

The session marked the launch of our new webinar series “Climate Change and Health: Science, Policy and Public Health in Action,” aimed at strengthening public health responses in India.

The discussion began with opening remarks by Dr. Swati Bakshi, Deputy Director, Harvard Chan India Research Center, followed by a panel discussion featuring esteemed experts and thought leaders in the field:

1. Dr. Daniel Neafsey, Associate Professor, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
2. Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, IAS, Special Resident Commissioner, Odisha Bhawan, Government of Odisha
3. Dr. Neelima Mishra, Director, National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), Scientist G, ICMR-NIMR, New Delhi
4. Dr. Abhiyant Tiwari, Lead – Health & Climate Resilience, NRDC India

The panel was moderated by Dr. Gaurab Basu, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The conversation focused on the rising burden of vector-borne diseases in India, highlighting how climate change is altering their transmission patterns. The speakers discussed the role of policy frameworks and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in addressing these challenges. The session emphasized the need for integrated adaptation measures and multi-sectoral strategies to build resilient, evidence-based public health responses to climate-driven disease risks.

Watch the full discussion here: https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/india-center/events/shifting-boundaries-climate-change-and-vector-borne-diseases/

Stay tuned for upcoming sessions in our “Climate Change and Health” webinar series!

For updates and notifications on upcoming events from the Harvard Chan India Research Center, subscribe to our newsletter here:
https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/india-center/newsletter/

02/10/2025

Register to join us on October 8th! http://hsph.me/climate-VBDs

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center is pleased to launch a new webinar series, “Climate Change and Health: Science, Policy and Public Health in Action,” aimed at strengthening public health responses in India.

The inaugural webinar “Shifting Boundaries: Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases”, will focus on the link between climate change and vector-borne diseases in India. Leading global and national experts will share insights on the existing research, public health initiatives, and strategic measures necessary to address this public health challenge.

Panelists:
1. Dr. Daniel Neafsey, Associate Professor, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
2. Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, IAS, Special Resident Commissioner, Odisha Bhawan, Government of Odisha
3. Dr. Neelima Mishra, Director, National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), Scientist G, ICMR-NIMR, New Delhi
4. Dr. Abhiyant Tiwari, Lead – Health & Climate Resilience, NRDC India

Moderator:
Dr. Gaurab Basu, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 6-7.15 PM IST/8.30-9.45 AM EST
Mode: Online, on Zoom
Register: hsph.me/climate-VBDs

22/09/2025

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - India Research Center is pleased to launch a new webinar series, “Climate Change and Health: Science, Policy and Public Health in Action,” aimed at strengthening public health responses in India.

The inaugural webinar “Shifting Boundaries: Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases” will focus on the link between climate change and vector-borne diseases in India. Leading global and national experts will share insights on the existing research, public health initiatives, and strategic measures necessary to address this public health challenge.

Panelists:
1. Dr. Daniel Neafsey, Associate Professor, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
2. Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, IAS, Special Resident Commissioner, Odisha Bhawan, Government of Odisha
3. Dr. Neelima Mishra, Director, National Institute of Biologicals, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
4. Dr. Abhiyant Tiwari, Lead – Health & Climate Resilience, NRDC India

Moderator:
Dr. Gaurab Basu, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

🗓: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
🕑: 6-7.15 PM IST/8.30-9.45 AM EST
📍: Online, on Zoom
🔗: hsph.me/climate-VBDs