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About Us

We are a group of epidemiologists, social scientists, psychologists, and biostatisticians who share a common vision in advocating for health research.

Samarth was registered as a society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1956 on 24th May 2007.

The governing body members were inducted through formal invitation by the core group of founding members. The first President, Secretary, and Treasurer were elected unanimously by the governing body. The tenure of these positions is for a period of 5 years and positions are filled through consensus of the general body.

NAME TITLE AFFILIATION
Dr. Saradha Suresh President Paediatrician, Former Director Institute of Child Health, Chennai
Dr. Rani Mohanraj Secretary Psychologist, Samarth, Chennai
Dr. Shuba Kumar Treasurer Social Scientist, Samarth, Chennai
Dr. L. Jeyaseelan Member Prof. of Biostatistics, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health (MBRU), Dubai
Dr. R. Thara Member Chairperson - Research, Schizophrenia Research Foundation
Dr. Lakshmi Vijayakumar Member Psychiatrist, Founder Member SNEHA, Chennai
Dr. Suresh Kumar Member Psychiatrist, Chennai
Dr. Krishna Kumar Member Rtd. Principal, Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai

General body members are inducted through formal invitation by the governing body, based on their ability to contribute and commit to the growth of Samarth. Membership is for life.

NAME TITLE AFFILIATION
Ms. Aarthi Kandasamy Member Psychologist, ISHA Foundation, Coimbatore
Ms. Basilea Watson Member Technical Assistant (Research), National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai
Dr.Desikachari Member Senior Public Health Consultant, Chennai
Dr. Keerthi Prabhu Member Consultant Psychiatrist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
Ms. C.D.Nandini Member Nutritionist, Chennai
Ms. Prasiddha Rama Rao Member Public Health Specialist
Ms.Rama Murali Member Public Health Consultant, USA
Ms. Sylvia Jayakumar Member Consultant, Biostatistics, Chennai
Ms. Premalatha Member Data Manager, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), Chennai
Ms. K.V.Sripriya Member Nutritionist, Research Coordinator, Samarth, Chennai
Mr. Veerapandian Member Assistant Professor Coordinator, The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM), Chennai

Advisory Body members are invited by the governing body to act as mentors to the research team. Members typically have long standing relationships with Samarth through collaborative work on research projects. The advisory body also guides Samarth towards new areas of research, and provides links to potential funding partners.

NAME TITLE AFFILIATION
Dr. Lisa Manhart Member Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Adjunct Associate Professor, Global Health, University of Washington, Center for AIDS and STD, Seattle, USA
Dr. Usha Ramakrishnan Member Associate Professor, Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, USA

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