ABOUT ME

I am a public health practicioner, scientist, and grassroots organizer working in service to protect the health of communities and using my skills to advance their needs. 

I'm a caste-privileged South Indian born and raised the child of immigrants in Durham, North Carolina. I have been actively involved in grassroots organizing since 2003, focused on reproductive justice, education equity, Black resistance and liberation, queer liberation, anti-imperialism, environmental justice, worker justice, and Third World liberation. During this time I also worked as a researcher in anti-microbial resistant infectious disease (focus on STIs), before transitioning to public health in 2015. While attending the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, I integrated my infectious disease background with environmental health, policy, and drinking water/sanitation. Since graduating in 2017, I’ve been working to integrate environmental justice considerations to inform federal-, state-, and local-level chemical policy. 
I am a grassroots organizer working in public health, not the other way around.  I view my work in public health as a service to advance and support the needs of communities impacted by environmental degradation, state violence, and historic negligence; using my technical skills to advance health equity for these structurally-marginalized communities. Building deep trusting relationships and investing in the expertise of those with lived experience is at the core of my practice.  I am deeply committed to a practice of transformative justice, transparency, and accessibility.

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are my own and do not represent the views or policies of any other entities such as the US EPA.

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

The University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health (2015-2017)

Masters in Science in Global Health and the Environment

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2009-2013)

Bachelor of Science in Biology | Minors: Chemistry, Electronic Communication Journalism

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Environmental Protection Specialist

US Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights

Washington, DC | November 2023 - Present

  • Contribute scientific and policy expertise in toxics and environmental justice on regulatory workgroups.
  • Advance the Agency understanding of the science around social stressors (social susceptibility/social vulnerability factors) into risk assessments. 
  • Engage in multiple cross-agency relationships and communities of practice.

Science Associate, Science & Policy

UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment

San Francisco, CA | March 2019 - November 2023

  • Conduct chemical policy research to inform public comments to federal and state level agencies.
  • Publish research around chemical policy, systematic review, occupational health, and environmental justice. 
  • Represent the organization's technical policy vision to key stakeholders such as regulators, policymakers, and the public.
  • Manage and coordinate a network of 200+ scientists, academics, and clinicians to use their expertise to contribute to policy change.

Health and Economic Consultant

Berkeley Economic Advising and Research LLC, UC Berkeley Dept. of Agricultural Resource Economics

Berkeley, CA | December 2018 - June 2019

  • Researched and gathered opportunities around environmental economics and international development for BEAR LLC. 
  • Supported development of  proposals and advised on public and environmental health oriented projects.

Science and Policy Associate

Green Science Policy Institute

Berkeley, CA | October 2017 - December 2018

  • Led and managed workgroups for a variety of chemical consumer safety policy projects around flame retardants. 
  • Reviewed and translated scientific research for regulators and other relevant stakeholders. 
  • Evaluated and recommended change for state and federal chemicals policy. 
  • Maintained strategic relationships with other non-profits, governmental bodies, and private industry.

LEADERSHIP

Alliance of South Asians Taking Action | Co-Coordinator, Member

Davis Putter Scholarship Fund | Board Co-Chair

Young Climate Leaders of Color | Advisory Board Member (Former)

South Asian Public Health Association | Board Member, Advocacy Committee Co-Chair (Former)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Public Health Association

International Society for Environmental Epidemiology

Society for Epidemiologic Research



Cover Photo - Brooke Anderson Photography | @movementphotographer