work experience

At the Tata-Cornell Institute, I provide research support & mentorship to fellow graduate students and colleagues. I have led my own research projects including co-auhtoring and facilitating the completion of a popular book, Transforming Food Systems for a Rising India, within a year. I also provide research inputs on other projects at TCI as well as mentorship to students and colleagues on their own research and field-work.

I worked as a research consultant prior to my graduate studies. In this capacity, I designed impact evaluations, managed data collection efforts, analyzed primary data to derive implications for policy makers and engaged in dissemination activities with various stakeholders (field staff, social entrepreneurs, government agencies and policy makers). I have also supported fund raising activities for my organization.

I have met and interacted with many wonderful farmers, rural doctors, farm laborers, public health nurses, teachers, panchayat leaders and children from a number of villages across the landscapes I have worked. While my subjects were poor in resources, they were rich in experience and generous with their time. Through their experiences, I came to appreciate the intertwined social, economic and ecological fabric of these individuals and their families and communities. My experiences continue to inform the research that I do. 

 

some Highlights from my Project MANAGEMENT & Consulting experience

Co-author & Project Manager for Transforming Food Systems for a Rising India  

  • In addition to co-authoring chapters, I provided research support to co-authors to faciliate timely delivery of output
  • Organized book launch events at Cornell University & International Food Policy Research Institute
  • Created promotional materials such as emails, flyers, blogs and other social media content
  • Presented at seminars to disseminate the ideas to a broader audience

(Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture & Nutrition)

Designed an impact evaluation study of a government run health insurance program in Karnataka (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana)

  • Managed office staff, field staff, independent contractors and interns during project implementation
  • Prepared progress reports and research papers for funders who were supporting the evaluation
  • Consulted with policy makers and bureaucrats at the provincial level on ways to improve the program
  • Created policy briefs and training workshops to improve implementation of the program
  • Represented the organization at international conferences to disseminate results to a broader audience
  • Raised funds for the organization when necessary 

(Centre for Budget & Policy Studies)

 

Provided market intelligence and advisory services to social start ups in the domains of health and agriculture

  • Trained Internet Kiosk Operators to collect household survey information from participants in remote rural areas 
  • Implemented focus group discussions with Local Rural Medical Practitioners to identify key areas for training 
  • Executed household survey to identify transaction costs of rice farmers 
  • Executed a local monthly newspaper to identify information needs and economic drivers in villages in rural Tamil Nadu 

(Rural-Technology & Business Incubator)

 

Pictures from the field