Suma Bhavana

Research and evidence professional with 5+ years of experience spanning implementation research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL), epidemiology, digital health, and health systems strengthening. Experienced in managing the full research and programme life cycle—from proposal development, study and survey design, field implementation and supervision through data management, analysis, ethical approvals, evidence synthesis, and dissemination. Hands-on experience designing and programming digital surveys in SurveyCTO (SCTO), developing digital MIS and dashboards, and analysing quantitative and qualitative data using SPSS and Dedoose.

Strong track record of translating evidence into operational and programme improvements while coordinating government stakeholders, technology partners, frontline teams, and multidisciplinary collaborators across multiple geographies.

Technical Specialist at Swasti Health Catalyst (2022-11 – Present)

• Manage end-to-end research and evidence activities across multiple projects, from proposal development and research design through data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination.
• Lead MEAL systems across multiple portfolios, including climate health, comprehensive primary health care, and social protection, supporting evidence-based programme monitoring and decision-making.
• Design and operationalize digital Monitoring Information Systems (MIS), real-time dashboards, data visualization tools, reporting templates, and monitoring protocols to strengthen programme implementation.
• Establish data-quality assurance mechanisms, SOPs, and reporting processes to improve completeness, consistency, and usability of programme and research data.
• Design and implement quantitative and qualitative research approaches, including data collection tools, statistical analysis, thematic analysis, and evidence synthesis to generate actionable programme insights.
• Translate research and monitoring findings into recommendations for programme refinement and policy or implementation decisions.
• Secured ethical approvals for three studies and supported compliance with research ethics requirements.
• Contribute to grant proposals and funding efforts through evidence-based technical writing aligned with project objectives and donor priorities.
• Collaborate with government stakeholders across Bihar, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh and with multidisciplinary programme and technology teams to support implementation and uptake of evidence.
• Mentor interns and students in public health research, data analysis, field engagement, and institutional learning.
• Plan and facilitate training workshops for frontline health workers, develop training materials, and assess post-training capacity improvements.
• Led the organizational process for obtaining DSIR-SIRO registration, coordinating technical documentation and institutional requirements.
• Design and program structured digital surveys and monitoring tools in SurveyCTO (SCTO), translating research and programme requirements into field-ready data collection workflows.
• Conduct quantitative data analysis using SPSS and qualitative data management and analysis using Dedoose, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations for programme teams and stakeholders.
• Manage the research and programme life cycle from scoping and tool development through field implementation, data-quality monitoring, analysis, learning, and dissemination.
• Coordinate and supervise field implementation activities with programme teams and frontline stakeholders, troubleshoot data-collection and operational issues, and support timely course correction.

Research Associate at Synapsica Healthcare Pvt Ltd (2021-12 – 2022-10)

• Supported research project coordination and monitored progress across research activities and internal teams.
• Collected, analysed, and evaluated large datasets and prepared analytical reports to support research and product decisions.
• Contributed to FDA development and submission activities for AI-based healthcare software and adapted research procedures as project requirements evolved.

Clinical Research Associate at Inn Accel Technologies Pvt Ltd (2021-10 – 2021-12)

• Supported clinical research monitoring at NIMHANS Neuro ICU, including protocol documentation and study coordination.
• Developed CRFs, supported research data management and hospital-based data collection, and coordinated with clinical stakeholders.
• Contributed to scientific manuscripts and research outputs for publication and presentation.

Health Technology Assessment intern at ICMR-NIE/HTARC

• Project support, data extraction, literature review, systematic review activities, and journal clubs.

Health Education & Youth Program Contributor at NADA India Foundation

• Health education and youth-focused tobacco cessation and prevention activities.

Master of Public Health in MPH – JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (2021)

Bachelor's in Anesthesia Technology – Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (2019)