Tag: Public Health Award
Priti Solanky, Public Health, Public Health Award
Dr. Priti Solanky: Associate Professor at GMERS Medical College, Valsad, India
Dr. Priti Solanky is an esteemed Associate Professor in the Department of Community Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Valsad, Gujarat, with more than 17 years of experience in medical education, research, and public health practice. She has made significant contributions to the domains of maternal and child health, community-based interventions, tribal health, and health systems research. Her academic journey demonstrates a seamless blend of teaching, training, mentoring, and implementing real-world solutions for public health challenges. Passionate about improving the health and well-being of underserved communities, she actively collaborates with government agencies, research institutions, and development partners. She is also deeply involved in academic mentorship, ethics review, and curriculum advancement for undergraduate medical education. Through her leadership, Dr. Solanky continues to bridge the gap between research and implementation, reflecting her vision of evidence-based, community-centered healthcare delivery.
Online Profiles
Education
Dr. Solanky completed her M.B.B.S. (2006) and M.D. in Community Medicine (2010) from Government Medical College, Surat, under the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, and earned her Ph.D. in Community Medicine (2025) from the same university. Her doctoral research, titled “Migration of Tribal Females—Its Pattern, Sociocultural Influence, and Effect on Maternal and Child Health Services”, reflects her sustained engagement with social epidemiology and tribal health. In addition to her formal degrees, she has completed several faculty development programs and medical education training courses, including the Advanced Course in Medical Education (ACME), Curriculum Implementation Support Program (CISP), and the ICMR-NIE Basic Course in Biomedical Research. This rich educational foundation has empowered her to integrate research, teaching, and service delivery with a holistic public health approach.
Research Focus
Dr. Solanky’s research interests span a wide range of topics within public health, community medicine, and health systems research. Her primary focus areas include maternal and child health, tribal health and migration, nutrition and malnutrition management, non-communicable disease prevention, and health-seeking behavior in vulnerable populations. She also has a strong interest in medical education research, with studies exploring innovative teaching methods, learner perception, and competency-based learning. Through her work with ICMR, WHO, UNICEF, and SHSRC, she has contributed to projects that blend academic rigor with field application, particularly in tribal regions of South Gujarat. Her ongoing studies explore Chandipura virus seroprevalence, life-skills training among adolescents, and community behavior in malaria control, emphasizing evidence-based interventions for public health improvement.
Experience
With over 17 years of teaching, administrative, and research experience, Dr. Solanky has progressed through roles as Resident, Tutor, Assistant Professor, and now Associate Professor at GMERS Medical College, Valsad. She has been a key faculty member in the Medical Education Unit, contributing to curriculum innovation, mentorship programs, and student learning enhancement. At the institutional level, she serves as a Member of the Institutional Ethics Committee, Coordinator for Undergraduate Teaching, and Facilitator for Faculty Development Programs. Her field engagement includes working as a Regional Monitoring Team (RMT) Member for Valsad and Dang districts, conducting NQAS and Kayakalp assessments, and acting as Trainer for F-IMNCI and CMAM programs. Dr. Solanky’s combined academic and field experience exemplifies her deep commitment to community-based learning, applied epidemiology, and quality improvement in healthcare delivery systems.
Research Timeline & Activities
Dr. Solanky’s research journey has evolved from her early work on HIV prevalence among children during her M.D. dissertation in 2010 to her Ph.D. study on migration and maternal-child health in 2025, encompassing over a decade of continuous scholarly engagement. She has successfully led multiple research projects funded by ICMR, WHO, UNICEF, Ford Foundation, and SHSRC Gujarat, serving as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) in over a dozen major studies. Her projects have addressed diverse issues such as tribal women’s health, newborn care quality, behavioral health models, and primary healthcare service delivery. Notable among these are her ICMR-approved studies on community-delivered life skills training, Chandipura virus infection, and ICMR-MERA India malaria behavior study. She also played a vital role in national surveys and evaluations, including the Multi Indicator Cluster Survey, Routine Immunization Coverage Evaluation, and School Health Program assessments, combining field expertise with methodological excellence.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Solanky has received multiple recognitions for her academic and research excellence. She was awarded the First Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the IAPSM National Conference 2024 for her field-based work on supportive supervision in tribal districts. Her innovative paper on the Health Belief Model for NCD prevention won the First Runner-Up Prize, and her study on Home-Based Newborn Care received the Second Runner-Up Prize under the Shri H.M. Patel Award category at IAPSM Gujarat State Conferences (2022 & 2023). She also earned the First Prize at GRIP 2025 for her innovative state-level public health practice on Seasonal Migration Mapping and Tracking. Additionally, her leadership in organizing World Breastfeeding Week earned her institutional recognition from the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India in 2017 and 2023. These honors reflect her consistent excellence and contribution to advancing public health research and education.
Top Noted Publication
Among Dr. Solanky’s more than 19 original research publications, her paper titled “Low Dose High Frequency (LDHF) training approach to improve competence of primary health care providers in context of maternal and child health services”, published in Discover Public Health (2025), stands out for its innovation and policy relevance. The study emphasizes scalable models for health worker training and capacity building in primary care systems. Other significant publications include “Determinants of Place of Delivery among Women in Indigenous Communities of Western India” (Journal of Preventive and Complementary Medicine, 2025), “Learner’s Perceptions on Teaching Curriculum in Community Medicine” (Panacea Journal of Medical Sciences, 2024), and “Determinants of Health-Seeking Behavior in Major Depressive Disorder” (Cureus, 2023). Her works have been cited for their methodological rigor and contextual insights into community health, marking her as a leading researcher in applied community medicine and public health education.
1. Solanky, P., Shah, H. (2025). Determinants of Place of Delivery among Women in Indigenous Communities of Western India: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study. Journal of Preventive and Complementary Medicine, 4(3), 157–166. DOI: 10.22034/jpcm.2025.532275.1229.
This mixed-methods study investigates sociocultural, economic, and systemic determinants influencing delivery site choices among tribal women in western India, contributing critical insights for strengthening maternal health service utilization in indigenous populations.
2. Solanky, P., Shah, H., Varia, K. (2025, October 21). Low Dose High Frequency (LDHF) Training Approach to Improve Competence of Primary Health Care Providers in Context of Maternal and Child Health Services. Discover Public Health, 22, 620. DOI: 10.1186/s12982-025-01023-5.
This paper presents an innovative LDHF training framework aimed at improving the competency of frontline healthcare workers in maternal and child health service delivery, emphasizing continuous learning and practical skill reinforcement at the primary care level.
3. Solanky, P., Bariya, B., Chavda, N. (2024, August 13). Learner’s Perceptions on Teaching Curriculum in Community Medicine. Panacea Journal of Medical Sciences, 14(2), 477–481. DOI: 10.18231/j.pjms.2024.086.
This educational research explores undergraduate medical students’ perspectives on the teaching and assessment patterns in Community Medicine, offering valuable feedback for curriculum enhancement and competency-based learning strategies.
4. Chavda, N., Patel, N., Dhanani, J., Solanky, P. (2022). A Study of New Drug Approval Pattern of a Southeast Asian Developed Country from 2017 to 2021. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13(1). DOI: 10.5455/njppp.2023.13.06289202220062022.
This pharmacovigilance-focused analysis evaluates regulatory trends and therapeutic categories in new drug approvals, offering comparative insights relevant to pharmaceutical policy and clinical research in the Southeast Asian context.
5. Shah, H., Solanky, P., Kapadia, R., Nayak, S. (2020, December 31). Mid-Level Health Providers—Their Perceptions and Background Knowledge Pertaining to Comprehensive Primary Health Care and Health and Wellness Center. Healthline, 11(2), 102–109. DOI: 10.51957/healthline_159_2020.
This article assesses the knowledge and perceptions of mid-level health providers (MLHPs) in implementing India’s Comprehensive Primary Health Care model through Health and Wellness Centers, highlighting workforce readiness and training needs for achieving universal health coverage.
Strength for the Public Health Award
1. Transformative Leadership in Community and Tribal Health:
Dr. Priti Solanky has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing healthcare access for underserved and tribal populations of Western India. Her pioneering field research on maternal and child health among migrating tribal women has directly informed evidence-based public health planning and interventions. By combining epidemiological insights with culturally sensitive strategies, she has significantly contributed to improving maternal service utilization and health equity in remote communities.
2. Excellence in Research and Evidence-Based Practice:
With more than 19 original research publications and several ICMR-, WHO-, and UNICEF-funded studies, Dr. Solanky has consistently bridged academic research and applied public health. Her notable contributions—such as the LDHF training model and studies on determinants of institutional delivery—demonstrate methodological rigor, innovation, and translational impact. Her research outcomes have influenced local health system strengthening and capacity-building programs for frontline health workers.
3. Commitment to Health Workforce Development and Medical Education:
As a core faculty member in the Medical Education Unit at GMERS Medical College, Dr. Solanky has led curriculum reforms, faculty training, and competency-based learning initiatives. Her innovative approaches to medical education, including learner-centric teaching and continuous faculty development, have enhanced the quality of public health education and professional practice. Her mentorship has shaped the next generation of community medicine professionals.
4. Integrative Field Engagement and Public Health System Strengthening:
Dr. Solanky’s engagement as a Regional Monitoring Team (RMT) member, NQAS assessor, and technical expert in programs like F-IMNCI, CMAM, and Kayakalp highlights her integral role in public health implementation. She has played a key role in assessing and improving healthcare delivery mechanisms at the district level, ensuring quality assurance, and strengthening primary care infrastructure under the Health and Wellness Centre model.
5. Recognized Excellence and National-Level Contributions:
Dr. Solanky’s impactful work has earned multiple awards, including national and state-level honors from IAPSM and the GRIP 2025 competition. Her research excellence, leadership in breastfeeding promotion, and innovative public health initiatives reflect her dedication to community well-being and professional integrity. Through her sustained academic, field, and mentoring efforts, she exemplifies the spirit of a true public health champion committed to advancing health outcomes and equity in India.
Pawan Kumar Kanaujia, Public Health, Public Health Award
Dr. Pawan Kumar Kanaujia: Assistant Professor at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University Gorakhpur, India
Dr. Pawan Kumar Kanaujia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Mahayogi Gorakhnath University, Gorakhpur, India. With a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Delhi, his expertise lies in microbial pathogenesis, iron acquisition systems, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. He has accumulated over 8 years of teaching and research experience, combining academic leadership with applied research in infectious diseases, microbial biotechnology, and translational health sciences. Dr. Kanaujia has contributed significantly to understanding iron homeostasis in pathogenic bacteria, particularly Yersinia enterocolitica, and his work has been published in reputed journals with over 2,200 citations.
Online Profiles
Dr. Abhijit Sarkar has a growing academic impact as reflected in his Google Scholar metrics. He has accumulated 2331 citations in total, with 1562 citations since 2020. His h-index stands at 8 overall and 6 since 2020, while his i10-index is 6 overall and 4 since 2020, highlighting his consistent contributions to plant science research and recognition by the wider scientific community.
Dr. Kanaujia maintains an active academic presence across multiple research platforms. His Google Scholar profile reflects 12 publications with a citation count exceeding 2,200, an h-index of 8, and an i10-index of 5. He is also featured on Publons, ORCID, ResearchGate, and Frontiers Loop, where his peer-review contributions and editorial work highlight his engagement with the global scientific community. These platforms collectively showcase his role as a researcher, reviewer, and academic mentor.
Education
Dr. Kanaujia received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Delhi in 2015, where his doctoral research focused on the detection and analysis of iron-acquisition related genes and proteins in Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1A. Prior to this, he completed his M.Sc. in Biotechnology from V.B.S. Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, in 2005, and a B.Sc. in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry from D.D.U. Gorakhpur University in 2003. His educational foundation reflects a strong interdisciplinary background in biological and chemical sciences, shaping his transition into microbiological and biotechnological research.
Research Focus
His research primarily investigates microbial pathogenesis with a special emphasis on bacterial iron acquisition, storage systems, and their role in virulence. He is particularly interested in the proteomic and genomic analysis of iron-regulated proteins, antimicrobial resistance genes, and molecular drug targets in pathogenic bacteria. In addition, his work extends to applied microbiology, including microbial biotechnology for bioremediation, climate change impacts on microbial ecosystems, and sustainable approaches to health and food security.
Experience
Currently, Dr. Kanaujia serves as an Assistant Professor at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University (since October 2022). Previously, he held multiple teaching positions at HIMT Group of Institutions, Greater Noida, and guest faculty positions at the University of Delhi. He has also worked in industry-linked research as a project lead at AptaBharat Innovation Pvt. Ltd., incubated at THSTI, NCR Biotech Cluster, Faridabad. His research journey includes serving as an ICMR Research Associate, where he contributed to projects on bacterioferritin characterization in Yersinia enterocolitica. Altogether, his career reflects a balance of teaching, applied research, and translational microbiology.
Research Timeline & Activities
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2010–2015 – Doctoral research at University of Delhi on iron homeostasis mechanisms in Y. enterocolitica.
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2016–2018 – ICMR Research Associate, focusing on molecular characterization of bacterioferritin and potential drug targets.
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2018–2019 – Guest Faculty, University of Delhi, engaging in teaching and student mentoring.
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2019–2021 – Assistant Professor at HIMT Group of Institutions, Greater Noida, expanding his teaching and research portfolio.
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2021 – Project Lead at AptaBharat Innovation Pvt. Ltd., working on translational health projects in collaboration with THSTI.
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2021–2022 – Assistant Professor at HIMT Group of Institutions, Greater Noida.
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2022–Present – Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Mahayogi Gorakhnath University.
During this journey, he has presented oral and poster contributions at national conferences, submitted 33 bacterial iron-acquisition genes to GenBank, and actively engaged in peer reviewing and editorial activities.
Awards & Honors
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Awarded ICMR Research Associate Fellowship (2016–2018) for his project on bacterioferritin.
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Recognized as Editorial Board Member for international journals including Advanced Chemicobiology Research.
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Served as reviewer for prestigious journals including Frontiers in Microbiology, International Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Biology Methods & Protocols.
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Life Member of The Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) and former member of ASM and ESCMID.
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Invited speaker and presenter at several national conferences, highlighting his contributions to microbial pathogenesis and proteomics.
Top-Noted Publications
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MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry: an emerging technology for microbial identification and diagnosis – N. Singhal, M. Kumar, P.K. Kanaujia, J.S. Virdi, Frontiers in Microbiology 6, 791 (2015). Citations: 2046.
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Tylophorine, a phenanthraindolizidine alkaloid isolated from Tylophora indica exerts antiangiogenic and antitumor activity by targeting vascular endothelial growth… – S. Saraswati, P.K. Kanaujia, S. Kumar, R. Kumar, A.A. Alhaider, Molecular Cancer 12 (1), 82 (2013). Citations: 104.
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Distribution and molecular characterization of genes encoding CTX-M and AmpC β-lactamases in Escherichia coli isolated from an Indian urban aquatic environment – P. Bajaj, N.S. Singh, P.K. Kanaujia, J.S. Virdi, Science of the Total Environment 505, 350–356 (2015). Citations: 86.
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Quinolone co-resistance in ESBL- or AmpC-producing Escherichia coli from an Indian urban aquatic environment and their public health implications – P. Bajaj, P.K. Kanaujia, N.S. Singh, S. Sharma, S. Kumar, J.S. Virdi, Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23 (2), 1954–1959 (2016). Citations: 41.
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Proteomic analysis of Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1A under iron-rich and iron-poor conditions indicate existence of efficiently regulated mechanisms of iron homeostasis – P.K. Kanaujia, P. Bajaj, S. Kumar, N. Singhal, J.S. Virdi, Journal of Proteomics 124, 39–49 (2015). Citations: 15.
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Analysis of iron acquisition and storage-related genes in clinical and non-clinical strains of Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1A – P.K. Kanaujia, P. Bajaj, J.S. Virdi, APMIS 123 (10), 858–866 (2015). Citations: 11.
Strength for the Public Health Award
1. Antimicrobial Resistance Research
Dr. Kanaujia has made significant contributions to the study of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogenic bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. His highly cited works on ESBL-, AmpC-, and quinolone-resistant strains in Indian aquatic environments highlight the public health risks of environmental reservoirs of AMR genes, addressing one of the most urgent global health challenges.
2. Microbial Pathogenesis & Iron Acquisition Mechanisms
Through his doctoral and postdoctoral research on Yersinia enterocolitica, he has elucidated iron homeostasis and bacterial virulence mechanisms, providing crucial insights into how pathogens survive and thrive in host environments. These studies pave the way for identifying novel molecular drug targets for infectious disease management.
3. Translational and Applied Microbiology
As Project Lead at AptaBharat Innovation Pvt. Ltd., he engaged in translational health research, linking laboratory findings with biotechnology-based solutions for diagnostics and treatment. His ability to translate molecular microbiology into real-world health innovations demonstrates a strong bridge between research and public health applications.
4. Diagnostic Innovation & Technology Contribution
His co-authored work on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as a tool for microbial identification (cited over 2000 times) has had a global impact on clinical microbiology laboratories. This pioneering research supports faster and more accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and strengthening public health systems.
5. Academic Leadership & Capacity Building
With over 8 years of teaching and mentoring experience, Dr. Kanaujia has trained students in microbial biotechnology, pathogenesis, and health sciences. His role as a reviewer, editorial board member, and conference speaker further emphasizes his dedication to capacity building, scientific dissemination, and strengthening public health awareness through education and knowledge exchange.