Our Team
Meet our expert team
Dr. Sumedha Kushwaha – Founder
With over a decade of experience in the field of global public health, it is her vision to make social enterprises self-sustainable and profitable. She aspires to enable the youth dream to create solutions for societal good. Trained as a public health professional, she pursued social entrepreneurship as her passion.
She has worked as an Academician at Central Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India; has been the Head of Public Health for a US based health technology manufacturing company building novel and low-cost solutions for early cancer detection, heads Global Partnerships and Strategy for an international not for profit organization and is pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Toronto. Global Initiative for Public Health and Innovation is her brain child to make opportunities for social work accessible to everyone without limitations of geographical borders.
Advisory Board
Dr. Michael Chaiton
Dr. Michael Chaiton is a senior scientist at CAMH’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, director of research at the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit and associate professor affiliated with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Institute for Medical Sciences, at University of Toronto. He has a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto and is co-director of the Collaborative Specialization on Addiction Studies. His work has been funded by CIHR, NIH, FDA, PHAC, Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health. He received an early career research award and was recognized as having a top impact paper from the Canadian Cancer Society. His work includes understanding the impact of policy on population level influences of mental health and substance use and the development of co-morbidities, particularly among youth and young adults. His work uses longitudinal cohort studies to evaluate changes in behaviours over time and using machine learning to identify predictors of change.
Anasua Kundu
Anasua Kundu is a 3rd year PhD student at Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto. She is an enthusiastic public health professional with research interest in tobacco use behaviour, especially e-cigarette use patterns and using machine learning for public health research. Anasua was awarded Artificial Intelligence for Public Health (AI4PH) scholarship for two consecutive years. Additionally, she completed med school in Bangladesh and Master’s in Family and Community Medicine with a Collaborative Specialization in Addiction Studies from Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Her vision is to apply machine learning for digital health interventions and improve patient empowerment.
Dr. Shweta Khurana
Dr. Shweta Khurana is the District Tobacco Control and Narcotics Control Officer from India. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and a Tobacco Control Certification from Johns Hopkins University. Trained by UNODC on the prevention and treatment of drug use disorders, Dr. Khurana is a master trainer specializing in training and capacity building of medical professionals in tobacco cessation, training law enforcers on national regulations and serving as a resident speaker on anti-tobacco awareness at some reputable universities in India.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Mohita Chadha -Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Mohita Chadha is a passionate public health advocate and oral cancer screening consultant, currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at Brunel University London. Recently recognized as the Rising Dentist of the Year, her career blends clinical expertise with a deep commitment to health equity, particularly in tobacco cessation and cancer prevention. With a strong background in program management, she oversees the operations of the Global Institute for Public Health and Innovation (GIPHI) team, guiding strategic initiatives that empower healthcare workers and support community health. With a focus on practical, sustainable health interventions, Mohita works to bridge the gap between research and real-world application, always striving to improve health outcomes for vulnerable communities.
Isuru Devinda De Silva –
Senior Information Technology Specialist
Isuru Devinda De Silva is a versatile Senior Mobile Engineer and Web Developer with over six years of expertise in Flutter development and a strong background in web technologies. Holding a first-class BSc (Hons) in Computing from Coventry University, Isuru has demonstrated proficiency in frameworks such as Laravel and platforms like WordPress, enabling him to design and implement dynamic, user-friendly websites and web applications. With advanced skills in PHP, HTML, JavaScript, and React, he has successfully delivered projects across various domains, including health care, fleet management, and food delivery. A dedicated professional with a passion for innovation, Isuru is committed to continuous learning and delivering impactful solutions in the IT sector.
Dr. Leenus Tafline – Senior Researcher
Dr. Leenus Tafline is a dentist and public health professional with a strong background in technology-driven healthcare solutions, and health policy research. She holds a Master of Public Health (Health Policy & Health Innovation) from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India and completed the Global Technology Solutions-21 Programme from the University of New Brunswick, Canada. She has received recognition for her achievements, including the “Budding Dentist Award” and the “Greatest Social Impact Award”. With hands-on experience in health informatics, technology solutions, and data-driven healthcare strategies, she is dedicated to leveraging technology to improve healthcare systems and patient outcomes and improving healthcare system efficiency, and driving digital health innovation. She has also partaken in community dental camps, tobacco cessation counseling, and health awareness programs among heavy smokers. Driven by her knowledge and skills, Dr. Leenus Tafline aims to create a positive impact in global public health, with a strong dedication to community well-being.
Anjali Singh- Research Associate
Anjali is a public health enthusiast with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biomedical Science from the University of Delhi. Her role as a PR Coordinator at her college’s Institution Innovation Council, an initiative led by the Ministry of Education, introduced her to the world of innovation and the importance of collaboration in bringing ideas and objectives to life. This experience, combined with her background in health sciences, fueled her curiosity about merging health and innovation to address disparities and improve public health outcomes. Anjali is passionate about disease prevention, health promotion, and understanding the impact of climate change on population health through digital solutions.
