NSPHI Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides strategic direction, oversight, and expert guidance to strengthen public health education, research, and practice across member institutions, ensuring collaborative growth, policy alignment, and excellence in advancing India’s public health ecosystem.
Co-chairs
Advisory Board Members
Dr. Connie Evashwick
San Diego State University, USA
Prof. Rebecca Ivers
CAPHIA – Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia
Prof. (Dr) Narendra Kumar Arora
ABOUT
Executive Director, The INCLEN Trust International Prof (Dr) Narendra Kumar Arora, a distinguished paediatrician and public health expert, is currently serving as the President of AIIMS Bilaspur (H.P.). He earlier served as President of AIIMS-Deoghar, Jharkhand (2020–2025) and AIIMS-Patna, Bihar (2018–2022). Formerly, he was Professor of Paediatrics (Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition) at AIIMS-New Delhi until 2007. Since 2005, he has been the Executive Director of The INCLEN Trust International and also served as Executive Director of the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) from 2010 to 2014. He is an accomplished medical professional who dedicated his career to advancing maternal & child health, infectious diseases & immunization, and public health policy, leaving a significant impact both nationally and internationally. Dr Arora has devoted his career to advancing maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention, immunization, and public health policy. Internationally, he has held key leadership roles at the World Health Organization (WHO), including as a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of Experts (STAGE) for Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health & Nutrition, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), the COVAX Independent Allocation of Vaccines Group (IAVG), and Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC). At the national level, Dr Arora played a pivotal role in shaping India’s immunization and public health strategies. He has been a core member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and chaired several key committees during the COVID-19 pandemic. He chairs the National Certification Committee for Polio Eradication (NCCPE) since 2014 and was its coordinator between 1998 and 2014, and also chairs the National Verification Committee for Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome elimination. Dr. Arora leads various research initiatives focusing on clinical epidemiology, trials, program evaluation, health systems improvement and policy development. He established super specialty Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology in AIIMS New Delhi. He also led nationwide research priority setting for maternal, new-born, and child health and nutrition in India. His work has influenced health policy decisions, ensuring that they are evidence-based and aligned with the needs of the population. He collaborates with national and international health organizations, fostering partnerships that enhance health research and interventions.
Laura Magaña, PhD, MS President and CEO Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
ABOUT
Dr. Laura Magaña is a globally recognized academic public health leader known for her commitment to transformation, innovation, and social justice. She serves as President and CEO of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), representing more than 150 academic institutions dedicated to advancing public health. Additionally, she is the founding President of the Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH), an alliance of seven regional associations that support public health education worldwide. Under Dr. Magaña’s leadership, ASPPH has strengthened its role as a catalyst for excellence and innovation across education, research, and practice in academic public health. She has overseen the launch of strategic initiatives, including the Academic Public Health Leadership Institute, the ASPPH Workforce Development Center, and a robust advocacy platform that elevates the voice of academic public health in key policy arenas. She has also expanded the association’s global reach and membership, positioning ASPPH as a central force in shaping the future of public health education. Dr. Magaña is leading ASPPH’s Vision 2030 agenda, which addresses critical public health challenges through initiatives focused on Dismantling Racism in Academic Public Health, Climate Change and Health, Framing the Future 2030, Gun Violence Prevention, Healthy Longevity, and the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Public Health. Before joining ASPPH, Dr. Magaña spent over 35 years transforming public and private universities in Mexico and leading educational, multilateral, and nonprofit organizations across the United States, Central America, and Europe. Most recently, she served as dean of the School of Public Health at the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico. A prolific scholar, Dr. Magaña has authored over 90 academic publications, with a focus on learning environments, educational technology, and the advancement of public health education globally.
Dr. Alvin Marcelo
ABOUT
Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo is a general and trauma surgeon by training. He currently serves as the president of the Asia-Pacific Association of Medical Informatics (APAMI), director-treasurer of the Asia eHealth Information Network (www.aehin.org), president of the Philippine Society for Digital Health (www.psdh.net), and director at the Asia OpenRAN Academy. He is also professorial lecturer at the Medical Informatics Unit of the UP College of Medicine and heads the Standards and Interoperability Lab at UP Manila (UPM SILab). He previously served as senior vice president and chief information officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth, 2011–2013), and as chief information officer and concurrent chief medical information officer of St. Luke’s Medical Center (2017–2023). As director of the UP Manila National Telehealth Center (2006–2010) and chief of the Medical Informatics Unit (2001–2010), he co-established the Master of Science in Health Informatics program. He has advised the World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, and USAID in various consultancies on eHealth and health information systems. Dr. Marcelo underwent a postdoctoral fellowship in medical informatics at the U.S. National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, with research interests in telepathology, mobile computing, and bibliometric analysis of MEDLINE content. He also managed the International Open Source Network for ASEAN+3—established by UNDP as a center of excellence in free and open source software—and advised the Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS), a 2006 Stockholm Challenge finalist. He is one of the pioneering inventors of the RxBox. He holds certifications in CGEIT, TOGAF, Archimate, and COBIT5, and is a fellow of the Philippine College of Surgeons. In 2017, Dr. Marcelo was inducted as an inaugural fellow of the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI).
Ms. Hemali Kulatilaka
ABOUT
Hemali Kulatilaka is a public health specialist with over 30 years of experience in international health policy settings in Asia, Africa and North America, working in global public health and higher education in multicultural settings. She has a proven record as a team leader, engaging relevant stakeholders in collaborative relationships to lead cross-functional teams and establish and maintain a shared vision and focus. Her experience encompasses: Launching and managing a global consortium of training institutions; curriculum development; Institutional capacity assessment and development of capacity building plans; Development and management of projects; and independent research. Her range of expertise spans from process facilitator to instructional designer, strategic planner and curriculum developer, and monitoring and evaluation professional. She is adept in applying most effective approaches to the design of training and capacity building materials and tools to meet a wide range of instructional requirements; support specialized target populations; and leverage appropriate, innovative technologies.
Dr. Mary Mwanyika Sando
ABOUT
Chief Executive Officer – Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH) Mary Mwanyika Sando is the Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She is a medical doctor with a Master of Public Health in Global Health and Population from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With over 18 years of experience, her career focuses on maternal, child and adolescent health, nutrition and mental health program design and implementation. At AAPH, she leads efforts to advance research, build capacity and translate scientific evidence into policy and practice. Mary is the co-convener of the Africa Research Implementation Science and Education (ARISE) Network, a consortium of more than 22 research based and higher learning and institutions across 10 sub-Saharan African countries. She currently serves as President of the Medical Women Association of Tanzania (MEWATA). Additionally, she is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Charité Center for Global Health as well as the Lancet Regional Health – Africa International Advisory Board.
Dr. Shailendra Sawleshwarkar
ABOUT
Associate Professor Shailendra Sawleshwarkar MBBS, MD, PhD Director of Academic Education and Postgraduate Coursework, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney Associate Professor Shailendra Sawleshwarkar is the Director of Academic Education and Postgraduate Coursework Programs at the Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. He leads the strategic direction and quality of teaching for 1200 students with a focus on executive leadership in 14 coursework master’s programs for health professionals from diverse backgrounds. With nearly 30 years of experience in curriculum development in global health partnership settings, Shailendra has been recognised for his international contribution to health professional education leadership through the award of honorary titles and awards. Shailendra has obtained several grants to support education and capacity building across South and South-East Asia and the Pacific region. HE is also a trained physician in Sexual Health and HIV and works at the intersection of clinical and public health practice which has helped provide unique perspectives and understanding across systems to shape the future health workforce. Shailendra has prioritised research that addresses key global health challenges and championed the role of catalyst and facilitator to develop academic networks in health professional education, One Health, infectious diseases and sexual reproductive health. He is on the Research Steering group of University’s Flagship centre ‘Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute’ (Sydney ID) and leads India initiative to drive research partnerships. The educational partnership Shailendra championed between University of Sydney and the Public Health Foundation of India was featured as a part of the compendium of successful case studies commissioned by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade titled ‘Case Studies: Advocating Business Success Between Australia and India’. Coupled with his extensive experience in working across sectors and excellent diplomacy skills, Shailendra has developed productive partnerships for mutual benefit, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Professor Sushma Acquilla FRCP, FFPHM, ILTHM, MILM, DCH, FRSM, LRCP, MRCS
ABOUT
- Chair of British Medical Association (BMA)conference Committee 2022/25
- Member Public Health Medicines Consultants Committee (PHMCC) of BMA since 2020
- Member Committee of Medical Managers (CMM-BMA) 2020-21
- Vice Chair of the Global Health Committee (GHC) Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP)2016-2022
- International Faculty Advisor, from 2006- 2016, to the UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) of Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
- Chair and lead on the India Special Interest Group (SIG) in the FPH. Represented the Faculty of Public Health (FPH, UK) on the Wellcome Trust funded, UK consortium of Universities with Public Health foundations of India (PHFI)
- Honorary Senior lecturer at Imperial College London until 2016
- Adjunct Professor of Public Health at Public Health Foundations of India (PHFI) and associated Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPH) since 2019.
- Member of European Association of Schools of Public Health Education and Research (ASPHER) responsible for establishment of Competency based training in Europe starting with Malta.
- Visiting Professor at the RDGardi, Medical College at Ujjain charitable Trust and Research Centre since 2012.
- Invited Member All India Task force set up by Ministry of Health in India, for development of Competency Based Masters in Public Health (MPH) curriculum for India where she helped develop Competency based training.
- Commissioner International Medical Commission on Bhopal (IMCB) lead for the Epidemiology 1993-date
- Expert witness, International Medical Commission on Chernobyl (IMCC) in Vienna.
- Member UK-India Parliamentary group for Health
- Project Director to establish Public Health Cadre in Odisha/ MP/ Gujarat Appointed by Department for International Development (DfID) 2014-2018
- Invited to introduce Public Health Training in WHO Geneva, WHO South East Regional Office (SERO), Finland, Malta, Oman, Kuwait in personal capacity on behalf of the FPH.
- Member of the International Science Oversight Board based in US since 2002
- International Editor / advisor Indian Journal of Public Health since 2014
Posts held in National Health Service (NHS) over 40 years
- Program Director for the National Public Health Leadership Program,(2002-2011) funded by the Department of Health Leader and a key influence in the development of the National Public Health Leadership Program for England for over 10 years that trained 700 Public Health leaders.
- Post- Graduate Dean London/ Kent Sussex and Surrey Deanery-responsible for Public Health, Clinical Genetics, Microbiology and Virology 2002-2006
- Director Postgraduate and Continuing Education for Northern and Yorkshire Deanery 1993-2002
- Director of Public Health 1986-1993 previously consultant.
Awards and Prizes
- Wilfred Harding Prize by the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) for making most outstanding efforts and achievement on behalf of the FPH.
- Medal for long standing contribution to Global health training as the International Faculty Advisor. (Life Time Achievement) in 2017 and 2024
- Baum prize by the European Epidemiology Association for leading the epidemiology team as the commissioner on International Medical Commission on Bhopal (IMCB)
- “Woman of Substance” entry to Asian women’s recognition book.
Regular entry to “Who Is Who” local newspaper annual edition 1988-1993.
- Special Commendation for development of guidance for management of disasters by the WHO and to the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) following the investigation into the Carbide disaster in Bhopal, India.
- David Dickson Prize -for best research report as the trainee in Public Health
Personal
- Director SDAcquilla Consultancy Limited, Training and development Company and service provider as Independent consultant in Public health,
- Managing Director Bellevue Health Care Limited (BVHC).
- President: Society of Indian Doctors (Cleveland) to promote Indian Culture and integration in Local Community and Raise funds for Charities in UK and India
- President Elect Rotary Club of Stokesley 2022/23 then President of Stokesley Rotary Club 2023-24
Papers and Presentations- Too many international presentations to mention
Professional Status/ Qualifications
- Fellow of Royal College of Physicians, (FRCP)
- Fellow of Faculty of Public Health Medicine (FFPHM)
- Diploma in Leadership Mentoring and Executive Coaching, Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
- Diploma in Child Health of Royal College of Physicians (DCH)
- Member of Faculty of Community Child Health (MFCH)
- Certificate in Medical Education (CME)
- Member of Institute of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ILTHM)
- Fellow Royal Society of Medicine (FRSM)
- Licentiate of Royal College of Physicians (LRCP)
- Member of Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)