Educational/professional background
After completing my undergraduate medical training in India, I worked as a general practitioner in both the public and private sectors for two years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I pivoted to clinical research and joined a vaccine efficacy trial team. I also led two teams of undergraduate medical students in conducting and analyzing observational studies. Later, I collaborated closely with clinicians on several trials evaluating new medical devices in obstetrics and gynecology. These projects culminated in several publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals. However, I lacked formal training in clinical epidemiology, which led me to pursue the MSc Epidemiology program at LSHTM, a highly recommended institution.
What I Enjoyed Most About Studying My Programme/at LSHTM
I can confidently say that I cherished all my interactions with the faculty and my peers, who were all very supportive and helped me learn something new every day. My tutor and project supervisor, Dr Poppy Mallinson, was a delight to work with. Her earnest efforts to help me understand both basic and complex epidemiological concepts are something I am forever grateful for. Every faculty member I interacted with encouraged me to ask more questions and even guided me in extra-academic projects that I initiated out of my own interest. My peers and friends formed a rich network of diverse specialists, whom I could approach to collaborate with or just discuss ideas and solutions to roadblocks. On the best of days, it felt surreal to be surrounded by not only the best but also the humblest and most approachable epidemiologists in the world, for which I felt immensely blessed.
What I Have Been Doing Since Graduating
My master’s degree allowed me to gain a PhD Research Fellow position at the Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India, where I am hoping to delve into the therapeutics of fibromyalgia and other primary chronic pain conditions. I also serve as the Managing Director of my startup medical research company in India, MM Medical Research, Cherthala, where I assist clinicians in designing and conducting hospital-based research studies to generate local clinical evidence.
Additional Information
As an alumni ambassador, I hope to provide my perspectives on studying full-time at LSHTM and living in London as an international student. Please feel free to get in touch with me for any specific, point-by-point queries about the MSc Epidemiology program, and I will try to help you navigate this journey the best I can.