Transcript
John Lin: Hello everyone, John here, and welcome to another session of ExpertGate’s Interview Series, where we bring you insights from global experts across various fields. Today, we are honored to have Dr. Nadira Suana Kakoli with us. Dr. Kakoli is a renowned epidemiologist with over 14 years of experience in research, focusing on Public Health, Chronic Disease Research, Advanced Epidemiological Analysis, Women’s Health and Infectious Diseases in low- and middle-income countries.
Dr. Kakoli is a recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Charles C. Shepherd Award and grants from global organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her contributions to academia and public health have been truly transformative. Dr. Kakoli, thank you so much for joining us today!
John Lin : Let’s begin by delving into your inspiring journey. Could you provide a brief overview of your professional pathway and what motivated you to specialize in your field?
Dr. Kakoli: Thank you very much for having me here! My professional journey began with a medical degree and early clinical practice.
I soon realized my passion was addressing health challenges at the population level. This led me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and later a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from Australia.
I’ve worked extensively in academia and research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on Infectious diseases and maternal and child health, Vaccine science and the social determinants of health. My work is driven by the desire to contribute to evidence-based policies that improve health equity and outcomes, globally and locally.
John: Your dedication to advancing women’s health and public health initiatives is commendable. What types of projects or collaborations are you most excited to explore through ExpertGate?
Dr. Kakoli: I’m most excited to work on projects that align with my expertise. These include Large-scale population health studies, Capacity-building initiatives in academia. I’m particularly interested in: Data-driven approaches to tackle public health issues like health equity, disease prevention, and maternal health. Mentoring roles, training programs, and research consultations to support young public health professionals. Collaborating on interdisciplinary projects that integrate public health with advanced technologies like AI and big data analytics to address global health challenges.
John: How do you see your work contributing to creating a positive social impact, particularly within the communities or industries you engage with?
Dr. Kakoli: My work is centered on creating sustainable solutions to improve health outcomes, especially for disadvantaged populations. Through research, I’ve contributed to programs and policies targeting Maternal and child health, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Health system strengthening.
As an academic and mentor, I’ve guided many early-career researchers, empowering them to bring meaningful changes to their communities.
By translating research into actionable health interventions and policy recommendations, I aim to reduce health disparities and promote health equity.
John Lin: At ExpertGate, we dedicate 50% of our profits to developing educational initiatives for underprivileged communities. How do you think we can further enhance these efforts, and what role can universities and industries play in maximizing this impact?
Dr. Kakoli: To enhance these efforts Curriculum design must be inclusive and interdisciplinary. For example, integrating technical skills (data analysis, AI) with human-centered topics (ethics, equity, sustainability). Programs should address unique challenges faced by underprivileged communities.
Universities and industries can play a significant role by Collaborating to provide real-world learning opportunities, mentorship, funding, and technological resources. Bridging gaps in education and skill development for underserved populations. Together, we can foster innovation while ensuring education is accessible and impactful.
John Lin: Dr. Kakoli, thank you so much for your insightful contributions today.
Your expertise in epidemiology and public health serves as a guiding light for the next generation of researchers and educators.
To our audience Thank you for tuning into ExpertGate’s Interview Series. Stay connected for more inspiring conversations with global thought leaders. For more information about Dr. Kakoli’s work and our initiatives, visit ExpertGate.org.
John: Thank you, Dr. Kakoli, for being here with us today!
Dr. Kakoli: Thank you for having me!
Dr. Kakoli is now available on https://expertgate.org/expert/profile/100132