Has a PhD and Masters degree in Anthropology from University of Pune, Maharashtra, India. Have completed Intensive Course in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Also completed courses on Ethics of Human Subject Research and Biostatistics conducted by Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow and John Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. Currently working as Research Lead at Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre. Previously worked as Research Scientist at The Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences – Centre for Health Research and Development (MAAS-CHRD) and involved in designing, planning, and undertaking academic and operations research studies.Have more than 19 years of experience in social science research primarily focusing on academic and operational aspects of TB, HIV, TB-HIV co-infection, malnutrition, stigma and gender. Expertise includes applying mix of methodologies in socio-cultural and operational aspects of TB, HIV, malnutrition and gender issues for bringing together quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Have acquired professional training and demonstrated abilities in academic, operational/intervention research proposal preparation, programme development, research project implementation by using log frame approach, situation assessment by using problem analysis, problem tree, stakeholder analysis, etc.