With over 41 years of international experience across developing country settings (SEAR and EMR) and at WHO HQ, I specialise in vector-borne disease control and integrated vector management. My expertise spans entomological surveillance, insecticide resistance monitoring, pesticide management, vector control product evaluation, and development of normative guidance for vector control and aircraft disinsection. I have contributed to malaria and visceral leishmaniasis elimination programmes, including pre-certification reviews and capacity building across diverse geographies. I bring an evidence-based, cross-cutting approach to controlling malaria, arboviral diseases, leishmaniasis, and filariasis.

Current Positions Held

• Adjunct Professor, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Saveetha University (SIMATS), Chennai

• President, Academy of Public Health Entomology, Udaipur (https://aphe.org.in)

• President, Society for Vector Ecology (Indian Region), Goa (https://www.soveindia.org)

• Vice-President, National Academy of Vector-borne Diseases, Bhubaneswar (https://www.navbd.in/committee.html).

• Chair, Organising Committee, International Conference on Vector-borne Diseases, 4-7 February 2027 (https://icvbd2027.aphe.org.in)

Staff Position Held

• 2016–2023: Scientist, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland: Co-Chair of Global Vector Control Response; Head of the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES); Focal Point, FAO/WHO Joint Programme on Pesticide Management.

• 2009–2016: Scientist, Vector Ecology & Management Unit, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO, Geneva: Head of the WHOPES; Focal Point, FAO/WHO Joint Programme on Pesticide Management.

• 1984–2008: Various senior positions at the Indian Council of Medical Research (MoH):

• Research Officer & Head of Entomology Division, Malaria Research Centre Field Station, Nadiad, Gujarat, India (1984–1988)

• Head, National Institute of Malaria Research Field Station at Rourkela, Odisha (1988–1995)

• Head, NIMR Field Station at Nadiad, Gujarat (Assistant Director 1995–2000; Deputy Director 2000–2005; Sr. Deputy Director 2005–2008)

• Lecturer, Postgraduate Department of Zoology, Government College Dungarpur, Rajasthan, India

Leadership Positions Held

• Head of two Field Centres of the ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, India (1988–2008)

• Head of the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES), WHO, Geneva (2013–2016)

• Co-Chair, Global Vector Control Response Group, WHO Geneva (2016–2023)

• Chair, WHO HQ/NTD Leishmaniasis Guideline Development Group (2024–2025)

• Chair, WHO HQ/NTD/IHR Expert Group on evidence review of aircraft disinsection (2024)

• Team Leader, WHO/SEARO Review of the vector-borne control programme of Sri Lanka (2024)

• Team Leader, WHO/SEARO Review of the vector-borne control programme of Bhutan (2025)

• President, Academy of Public Health Entomology, Udaipur, India

• President, Society for Vector Ecology, Indian Chapter, Goa, India

• Vice-President, National Academy of Vector-borne Diseases, Bhubaneswar, India

Work Experience

At WHO, Geneva:

• Led the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) for global evaluation of vector control products. 

• Managed the FAO/WHO Joint Programme on Pesticide Management and coordinated multi-agency collaboration across the UN, industry, and NGOs.

• As the Project Manager, Innovation to Impact project, established GLP laboratories, coordinated global studies on insecticide resistance monitoring, and developed regional capacity across all WHO regions.

• Supported the work of the WHO Vector Control Advisory Group on new tools.

• Coordinated production of insecticide susceptibility test kits at USM/VCRU, Malaysia, and pesticide application equipment evaluation (at IPARC and Harper Adams University, UK).

• Led global surveys on insecticide use and pesticide regulatory practices.

• Contributed to the WHO global policies, guidelines, and tools for vector control (malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis).

• Provided technical support to countries for programme reviews and evidence-based vector control strategies.

• Conducted global trainings and workshops on vector surveillance, insecticide resistance, and pesticide management.

• Supported resource mobilisation, developed external grant proposals, convened expert committees, and prepared technical reports. 

• Contributed to ~40 WHO normative documents (guidelines, SOPs, training materials).

At the ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR)

• Conducted epidemiological and entomological research on malaria, dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis and Japanese encephalitis in diverse ecological settings such as urban areas, irrigated and semi-arid plains and forested areas in Gujarat and Odisha states in India.

• Led the WHOPES trials in India for evaluating vector control products, including ITNs, IRS and biolarvicides, including trial design and protocol development.

• Investigated malaria and dengue outbreaks and conducted environmental impact studies (water resource projects, railway development, climate effects on malaria).

• Implemented integrated vector control programmes.

• Organised inter-sectoral coordination and capacity-building for public health and entomology workforce.

• Managed the administrative functions of the two NIMR field stations (Nadiad & Rourkela in India), including HR, finance, and resource management.