Project Co-ordinator

Santhi Bhogadi is a public health researcher with over 20 years of experience. In INFUSION, she collaborates with IMCR-National Institute of Nutrition and the Indian School of Business to help implement and study INFUSION’s interventions.

What is your research background and what are your current research interests?

I am a public health researcher with over 20 years of experience leading epidemiological and implementation studies in India, examining the interface of chronic disease, migration, air pollution, and nutrition. My early work included coordinating sentinel surveillance projects in industrial populations and contributing to the Indian Migration Study. I then managed the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents Study (APCAPS), a longitudinal investigation into early-life nutrition, cardiovascular risk, and intergenerational health outcomes. I’ve also led air pollution and cardiovascular health research, assessing environmental exposures and cardiovascular disease risk. My project portfolio extends to interventions promoting fruit and vegetable consumption, nutrition supplements in pregnancy, and qualitative mixed-methods nutrition assessments, investigating food environments and drivers of food acquisition in low- and middle-income countries.

My current research interests focus on shaping policy-driven public health interventions that advance maternal and child health, promote healthy ageing, and strengthen preventive health measures for sustainable population well‑being.

What are you focusing on in the INFUSION project?

In the INFUSION project, I focus on designing scalable, culturally relevant market‑based and behavioral change communication strategies to improve access to nutrient‑dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, and animal‑source products in rural communities based on recommended dietary guidelines. In addition, I develop data collection protocols and support the team in creating tools for formative research, household consumption studies, and randomized controlled trials. I also oversee the data collection process and provide training and guidance to enumerators, ensuring high‑quality, reliable data from the field.

What excites you about your work on INFUSION?

I’m excited about the INFUSION project because it connects nutrition with the local environment. It allows me to use my field experience in communities dealing with nutrition, migration, and environmental health. I’m passionate about using fun, hands‑on activities to build awareness and demand for nutrient‑rich foods, ensuring rural communities walk away with actionable nutrition messages.

Tell us a fun fact about you

I’m a proud pet parent, and friends say I have as many stories about my pet as I have about my fieldwork!