I am an epidemiologist and social scientist specializing in interdisciplinary research at the intersections of global public health, population dynamics, gender equity, and sustainable development. My work focuses on adolescent health and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, health equity, education, gender norms, violence prevention, and poverty alleviation.

I am the endowed Chair and Professor for Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Previously, I served as the Vice President of Social and Behavioral Science Research at Population Council, Senior Director/Vice President of Research at Innovations for Poverty Action, Head of Global Research at MSI Reproductive Choices, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, and a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health. I also founded the Girl Innovation, Research, and Learning (GIRL) Center at the Population Council.

I advise on policy and agenda setting, collaborating with multilateral and bilateral donors, private foundations, universities, United Nations agencies, and governments worldwide.

I have served as the Board Chair for Ibis Reproductive Health and an editorial committee member for Studies in Family Planning.

I am a results-driven leader in global health and development, a nonprofit innovator, a multidisciplinary research strategist, and an experienced resource mobilizer.

Country of experience: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, India, Ghana, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Zambia, and the US.

My publications and writing.