National Speakers
Dr. Kailash Jawade
Prof and Head of Unit, Surgery Clinical Head, AHS DY Patil Medical College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai
Dr. Kailash Jawade is a dynamic and accomplished general surgeon, currently serving as the Prof and Head of Unit in the Surgery Department and Clinical Head of Allied Health Sciences at DY Patil Medical College in Navi Mumbai. With over 20 years of surgical experience, he has honed his skills through training in endoscopy, laparoscopy, hepato-biliary surgery, and multi-organ transplantation across renowned institutions worldwide. Dr. Jawade has played a pivotal role in over 300 kidney and liver transplantations and is a driving force in establishing the transplant program at DY Patil Hospital. His passion for research led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Surgical Gastroenterology. Beyond clinical work, he has pioneered the development of undergraduate and postgraduate Physician Assistant programs, recognizing the vital role of PA professionals in healthcare. Under his guidance, these programs have thrived, producing graduates who are making significant contributions to the field. Dr. Jawade continues to innovate and is working on developing a Ph.D. program for PA professionals to meet industry demands.
Dr. Deepak B. Saxena
Director, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar
Dr. Deepak B. Saxena is a distinguished Professor at IIPH-Gandhinagar, holding an MD in Community Medicine and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology. With extensive training and a Post Doc in Public Health from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Dr. Saxena has received several accolades, including the ALAF (Australian Leadership Award Fellowship) and T-5 Fellowship for his outstanding work in the field of HIV management. He is a prolific educator, teaching a range of subjects in MPH and MHA programs, including Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, and Public Health Law. Additionally, Dr. Saxena leads various research initiatives, such as the USAID-funded TB Care Cascade project and the Stunting Hub supported by UKERI. As the Editor of the Indian Journal of Community Medicine and a seasoned author with over 150 publications, Dr. Saxena is a prominent figure in the field of public health and epidemiology.
Dr. Kranti Suresh Vora
SHSRC Consultant, Govt of Meghalaya
Dr Kranti Suresh Vora is an additional professor at Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar. Kranti is an obstetrician who completed MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg school of Public Health, USA and PhD from University of Maryland College Park, USA. Kranti has worked on projects with international universities such as Karolinska Institutet, University of Aberdeen and University of Canberra. She has managed large projects and has publications in renowned journals such as PlosOne, WHO Bulletin and JHPN among others..
Dr. Deepa C Philip
Principal, MMM College of Health Sciences Chennai
Dr. Deepa C. Philip is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Principal of MMM College of Health Sciences, a unit of Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. Holding a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from St. Peter’s University and an M.Phil in Biochemistry from Bharathidasan University, she has a strong passion for teaching. Dr. Philip has made significant contributions to academia, serving as an Associate Professor in Biochemistry, heading the examination cell, and teaching at Vel RS Medical College. Her multifaceted role includes active participation in administrative committees, such as the NAAC steering committee and Criteria VII In charge, and she has been instrumental in preparing Self Study Reports for NAAC accreditation. Dr. Philip’s dedication to education extends to her involvement as an examiner, question paper setter, and external examiner for various universities, and her research has resulted in publications in both national and international journals.
Dr. Senthilkumar Natesan
Adjunct Associate Professor, IIPH Gandhinagar
Dr. Senthilkumar Natesan is an Adjunct Associate Professor at IIPHG with a rich background in veterinary medicine and virology. Graduating from Madras Veterinary College, he pursued advanced studies at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), specializing in virology. His research journey took him to The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he delved into Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and its impact on macrophages and T cells. With joint appointments at the Institute of Human Virology and the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Natesan made significant discoveries regarding HIV persistence and developed humanized animal models for drug testing. His expertise spans infectious diseases in both animals and humans, and he advocates for the One Health approach to address public health challenges at the intersection of human and animal health. Dr. Natesan’s current research interests encompass molecular biology, cancer, immunology, and microbiology.