Dr. Prasanta Mahapatra
MBBS (Utkal), SD (Harvard)
Takemi Fellow in International Health,
IAS (Retd.)
Director
Email: pmahapat@ihs.org.inMob: +91 9848782039
Dr. Prasanta Mahapatra, is a medical doctor, a Takemi Fellow in International Health and a PhD in International Health Policy & Economics from Harvard University. After practicing for some time as a Medical Officer in the Central Government Health Scheme, Dr. Mahapatra joined the Indian Administrative Service, in 1980. He served in various capacities in East-West Godavari, Nellore, Nalgonda, Krishna and Guntur districts. He is experienced in revenue, general administration, disaster management, rural development, tribal welfare, women welfare, medical, health, information technology, irrigation and school education sectors. His experiences in the health field includes Registrar of the NTR University of Health Sciences, Director Medical Education, Commissioner Medical Services, Senior Faculty at the Administrative Staff College of India, Director Institute of Health Systems, and Director - Vice Chancellor of the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences. Before his retirement from civil service, he was the Director General of the MCR Human Resources Development Institute and Ex-officio Special Chief Secretary to Govt. of AP. He has served as member of ICMR Scientific Advisory Group, and Core Group of the Department of Health Research. He was a member of the steering group of the National Nutrition Mission. He was a member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group of the WHO - Alliance for Health Policy & Systems Research from 2009-15. Dr. Mahapatra has contributed to the Global Burden of Disease estimates published in the World Bank's World Development Report, 1993. He was a consultant to the Asian Development Bank, regarding development of fund mobilization strategy by the Bhutan Health Trust Fund, and development of ADB’s India Health Strategy. He has published articles and books in the fields of general administration, rural development, and public health.
Consultant Faculty:
Aneka Suresh Paul
Ph.D. & MA in Social Work (TISS),B.Sc. Chemistry.
Fellowship in Palliative Care, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode.
Consultant & Co-Principal Investigator,
Longitudinal Cohort study under CMAM Project.
Email: aneka@ihs.org.inMob: +91 9004712480
Aneka is an Independent Consultant & External Evaluator for several foundations including; Azim Premji Foundation, Kotak Education Foundation, and Rotary Club of Bombay. She works part-time as Mentor Coordinator for the global Fellowship in Palliative Care by Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode and St. Christopher’s Hospice, UK. From June 2009 to December 2019, she worked in the Health Portfolio of Tata Trusts, Mumbai. From June 2008 to May 2009, she worked in the Individual Grants Programme at Tata Trusts, Mumbai.
Aneka is a former Trustee of Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation, Chennai, an NGO she helped set up. She is a Member, Healthcare Sector Skill Council, New Delhi for Qualifications Pack - Occupational Standards For Health Care - Transplant Coordinator cadre. She serves on the Ethics Committee of MOHAN Foundation, Chennai and previously that of Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College, Vashi. She is a Member, Indian Association of Palliative Care. She is a peer reviewer for BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care Journal, BMC Palliative Care, and Indian Journal of Palliative Care, among others.
Laboratory Personnel:
Suvarna Gorla
MSc Analytical Chemistry (Andhra University)
Senior Chemical Analyst
& Research Associate
Email: suvarnagorla@ihs.org.in
Suvarna passed M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry, in August 2014, from ABN&PRR College of Science Kovur, affiliated to the Andhra University . For a little more than 8-years, from, 2015 to 2023, she worked as a Chemist in Quality Control Department of Avanti Feeds Ltd., Kovur, which produces various feeds for shrimp industry. In this position, she was responsible for proximate, ultimate analysis, documentation and instrumentation. During her 8-year work in Avanti Feeds, she dealt with calibration of various laboratory instruments, sampling and analysis of raw materials like fish meal, soya, wheat, fish oil, premix materials. She dealt with all proximate/ultimate sampling and analysis for protein, fat, free fatty acid, fiber, moisture, ash/silica contents, digestibility, density, etc. She has knowledge of ISO, BAP, HACCP, US FDA, EIA audits.
Currently, Suvarna is the Senior Chemical Analyst & Research Associate. She is the Technical Manager of the IHS Chemical Laboratory.
Madhuri passed M.Sc. Microbiology in 2021, from the Osmania University. By 29th February, 2024, she completed her one-year Internship in Microbiology Laboratory Technique at the IHS Laboratory and was appointed as the Microbiologist. On 6th March 2026, Madhuri assumed charge as Senior Microbiologist and Technical Manager of Microbiology Laboratory.
Rama Janaki passed B.Sc in Bio Technology in 2013, from DNR College, Bhimavaram, affiliated to the Andhra University. She worked as a Laboratory Technician in Venus Aqua, Eluru from January 2020 to March 2024.
On 23rd January 2025, she was admitted by the IHS as an Intern in Chemical Laboratory Technique & Laboratory Registration. She completed the internship on 07-03-2026. She is working as Chemical Analyst since 09-03-2026.
Swapna Madarapu
MLT, B.Sc. MSc. Microbiology (Kakatiya Univ.)
Microbiologist
Email: swapna.pabbamb@ihs.org.inMob: +91 9866999842
Swapna completed Medical Laboratory Technician training at the Government Maternity Hospital, Matwada, Warangal in August 2005. In 2008, she passed BSc Degree from Kakatiya University with Botany, Microbiology and Chemistray. In May 2010, she passed MSc. Degree in Microbiology from Kakatiya University. She is a registered Paramedical Professional in Medical Lab Service.
Swapna worked as Microbiologist in Sneha Farms from Nov 2023 to May 2026. On 1st June 2026, Swapna joined as Microbiologist in the IHS Laboratory.
Neethi Nalini Gaini
B.Sc. MSc. Biotechnology (Osmania Univ.)
Laboratory Registrar
Email: neethinalini@ihs.org.inMob: +91 9441721041
Neethi Nalini passed BSc Degree in March 2016, from Telangana University with Biotechnology, Botany and Chemistray. In June 2018, she passed MSc. Degree in Biotechnology from Osmania University.
From July 2023 to February 2026, Neethi worked as Data Entry Operator and Cashier in Retail Mart Hypermarket in Qatar. On 16 April 2026, Neethi Nalini joined as Laboratory Registrar in the IHS Laboratory.
Dandela Sai Sri
BSc. Biotechnology (Kakatiya Univ.), MSc. Microbiology (Osmania Univ.)
Intern in Microbiology Lab Technique
Email: saisri@ihs.org.inMob: +91 7981380707
Sai Sri's project experience during her Masters program include pariticipation in product development project at Curateq Biologics. In this project she assisted in formulation of therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies. She learnt about buffer preparation and pH adjustment. She assisted in UV specroscopy and plate-based assay. During here internship at Amplicons Biosystems, she performed SDS-PAGE for protein analysis and maintained laboratory records. While participating in a Microbiology Research project at Manna Biotech she cultured probiotic strains of Lactobacillus, analysed microbial growth and assisted in cholesterol-lowering assay using bacterial cultures.
Sai Sri was admitted to the Microbiology Internship program on 18th April 2026.
Anjala Srinitha
BSc. BZC (Kakatiya Univ.), MSc. Microbiology (Osmania Univ.)
Intern in Microbiology Lab Technique
Email: srinitha@ihs.org.inMob: +91 9398460392
Srinitha's project experience during her Masters program include bioremediation of cadmium and lead from industrial effluents. For this she conducted laboratory experiments using microbial isolates for heavy metal removal and analysed results using atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Srinitha was admitted to the Microbiology Internship program on 20th April 2026.
Gourapolla Veeramani
BSc. (Telangana Univ.), MSc. Organic Chemistry (Telangana Univ.)
Intern in Chemical Lab Technique
Email: veeramani.g@ihs.org.inMob: +91 9398921265
Veermani worked for a year as a Laboratory / Quality Control Chemist at Ion Exchange India. In this role she performed physico-chemical and general chemical analysis of water. She handled finished goods and raw materials testing including specific gravity and active content analysis.
Veeramani was admitted to the Chemical Lab Internship program on 18th May 2026.
General Support Personnel:
Saradavani Seekati
B.Com., M.B.A. (JNTU), B.Lib.Sc. (Kakatiya Univ.).
Accounts Officer
Email: saradavani@ihs.org.inMob: +91 9392598137
Saradavani joined the IHS as Accounts Officer, on 30th April, 2026. Before joining the IHS, she worked as Acounts Executive in Yoda Lifeline Diagnostics from October 2022 to April 2026. She was responsible for recording of purchase and sales transaction of the organisation. She handled bank statement entries and bank reconciliation work. She compiled GST data for timely filing of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3, ensuring statutory compliance. She performed vendor ledger reconciliations, tracking of outstanding balances and resolution of differences with vendors. She managed payment of professional tax, ESI and PF contributions, along with monthly return filing. She assisted in TDS data preparation for monthly deductions. Earlier, she worked as Accounts Assistant in Medi Health Care from September 2021 to Ocrober 2022. At Medi Health Care she dealt with sales & purchase entries, ledger verification & reconciliation, reconciliation of bank statements. She assisted in preparation of periodic financial reports and supported senior accountants during audits. She coordinated with other internal departments to resolve billing and payment related issues. She was responsible for filling of accounting records for reasy reference and audits.
B. Rama Krishna
B.Sc. Computers (Osmania).
Systems Administrator
Email: ramakrishna@ihs.org.inMob: +91 7893794559
Rama Krishna passed B.Sc. (Computers) from the Osmania University in July 2022. On 27th February 2023, he was admitted by the IHS as an Intern in Data Processing and System Administration. He completed the Internship by 29th February 2024. Currently, Rama Krishna is the Systems Administrator at IHS.
Water Environment & Quality Investigation Personnel:
Devasoth Mallesh
B.A. (Dr. BR ambedkar Open University)
Water Quality Investigator (Apprentice)
Email: malleshdevasoth20@gmail.comMob: +91 9100875898
CMAM - Cohort Study - Field Personnel:
Pogiri Rajasekhar
MSW (Andhra University)
Research Associate
Longitudinal Cohort study under CMAM Project.
Email: prajasekhar2024@gmail.comMob: +91 8985151704
From April 2023 to December 2025, Rajasekhar was the District Coordinator for 'Access to Justice for Children' project in Parvathipuram Manyam District. From May 2022 to Mar 2023, he worked on Eucalyptus Plantation Project in Nellore & Prakasam districts. This was a CSR activity of the Greenpanel Industries. From March 2021 to April 202, he worked a coordinator in DM&HO Vizianagaram office towards Comprehensive Primary Health Centres supported by the UNICEF. Prior to that (Sep. 2019 to Feb. 2021) he worked as a Social Expert with Consulting Engineers Group implementing works under the AP Rural Roads project in Vizianagaram district. From May 2016 to Aug 2019, Rajasekhar worked as a Data Administrator for Diabetic Retinopathy screeining and management program at Pushapagiri Eye Hospital-Vizianagaram. Earlier, from Apr 2013 to Mar. 2016, Rajsekhar was the Project-Coordinator of Childline 1098 porject of ARDAR in Vishakhapatnam and Vizianagaram. From May 2012 to Mar. 2013 he worked a Outreach-cooridnator for chilredn with disabilities and tribal community activities of ARDAR in Vishakhapatnam and Vizianagaram. He worked as an Aarogya Mitra at Aarogyasri Health Care Trust Network Hospitals in Vijayawada.
Medaboyina Uma Maheswari
M.Sc. (Hons.) & B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Science (ANGRAU, Guntur).
Research Assistant
Longitudinal Cohort study under CMAM Project.
Email: maheswariuv2122@gmail.comMob: +91 6281959725
During her M.Sc. course work Uma Maheswari did a project on Experiential Learning. Here second project was Rural Agricultural Work Experience at Krishi Vikas Kendra, Garikapadu. Here third project was an Internship at Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming. Her Masters thesis was on 'Impact of the social media on tribal youth of Parvathipuram Manyam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Uha Rani Mekala
B.Sc. Nursing (NTRUHS, Vijayawada).
Research Assistant
Longitudinal Cohort study under CMAM Project.
Email: uha.rani1997@gmail.comMob: +91 9989792437
After completion of the B.Sc. (Nursing) course, Uha Rani Worked as a Staff Nurse and Operation Theatre Nurse in CTOT Department of Tirumala Multi Specialty Hospitals, Vizianagaram from February 2019 to January 2020.
Marapu Namatha
B.Pharmacy (Padmavathi Mahila Univ. Tirupati).
Research Assistant
Longitudinal Cohort study under CMAM Project.
Email: marrapunamatha@gmail.comMob: +91 8639326939
During her internship at Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma, Namatha gained hands-on experience in performing quality control tests on raw materials and finished pharmaceutical products. She has completed Employability Skills Certification course from the Wadhwani Foundation and UNXT Life Skills certificate from Unnati Foundation.
Pola Sowmya
B.Sc. Nursing (Dr. NTR Univ. Tirupati).
Research Assistant
Longitudinal Cohort study under CMAM Project.
Email: balaviratdatti857@gmail.comMob: +91 8074568731, 9182523221
Pola Sowmya started working on the project from 15th April 2026. Earlier she worked for a year at Apolo Hospitals, Arilova, Vishakhapatnam.
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