Our Team

Dr. Satyanarayana Ramanaik is a social scientist with over 20 years of impactful work in public health and developmental issues in India. His extensive engagement with marginalized communities spans a range of critical areas, including HIV/AIDS, Gender-based Violence (GBV), Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Migration, Child Marriage, School Dropout, and Adolescent Health. He has been a pivotal force behind large-scale public health interventions and collaborative research initiatives in partnership with esteemed donors and academic institutions such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, WHO, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), University of Manitoba, the Government of Karnataka, and the Government of India.

A distinguished qualitative researcher, Dr. Ramanaik has contributed significantly to the field. His work has led to the publication of over 40 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious national and international journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Work, a testament to his scholarly commitment. His research journey was enriched by a fellowship from the HIV Research Trust, UK, which supported his doctoral research. His academic pursuit also led him to be a part of CIHR International Infectious Disease and Global Health Training Program (IID&GHTP), offered by the University of Manitoba, Canada.

Presently, as Thematic Lead for Adolescent Health at KHPT, Dr. Ramanaik spearheads efforts in Gender Based Violence, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, and mental health for adolescent girls in rural India. His exceptional journey blends academic excellence, ground breaking research, and dedicated community engagement, establishing him as a driving force in the realm of public health and social advancement.

R. Maithreyi is the Strategic Lead of the Adolescent Thematic at KHPT. Her work spans research and interventions, and draws upon the areas of childhood studies, gender, and the sociology of education. Maithreyi has a PhD from the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), and also has over 10 years of experience as practising child psychologist. She has several international conferences and publications to her credit, including two books – one on ‘Educating Youth: Psychosocial Regulation through Skilling’ (Sage Ltd), and a co-edited book titled ‘Modernity, Schooling, and Childhood in India: Trajectories of Exclusion’(Routledge Ltd).

Sunil Babu Mekale is a development professional with 15 years’ experience, specifically in Public Health, Nutrition, HIV, Migration, Child Rights, research, gender, and adolescent issues. He has previously worked with the prominent organizations in India, including Plan International, UN Women, PHFI, CRY, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, and SPYM, in nine states.

He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), a Master’s in Population Sciences and Health Policy from the International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS), and has passed the National Eligibility Test. He is working on a Ph.D. thesis on the topic of Women in Sex Trade: Exclusion, Identity and Migration. He has written four research papers published in international journals.  In 2015, he was awarded scholarship and represented the Government of India as a young researcher and was part of the Indian delegation at London School of Economics, and was at Oxford University as an  Indian Research Scholar.

Traveling and writing poetry are his hobbies. He authored a book in Marathi titled ‘Chatura’ in 2017.

Apurva, currently works as an M & E officer in the Adolescent Health thematic of KHPT. She has pursued her Master’s in Economics from University of Hyderabad and has over five years of working experience as a researcher in Economics. She enjoys reading non-fiction books and engages with social concerns largely through a structural framework.  

Prakash Marpady is a social researcher and development practitioner with more than 15 years of experience in teaching, research and project management. He has largely worked with HIV/AIDS, Tribal Welfare, Adolescent Health and CSR initiatives. A strong believer in a people-centric approach, and deeply anticipate change at the structural level for an inclusive society. He has experience in using participatory methods for program planning, monitoring and evaluation.

He obtained his Master’s in Social Work, M.Phil in Development Studies and Ph.D in Social Work from Mangalore University. He was the recipient of a Junior Research Fellowship from UGC, New Delhi. He has published research articles on social exclusion, women empowerment, human rights and tribal health. He is interested in reading emancipatory literature and authored a book on ‘Community Organisation and Social Action in Social Work’.

Ajit Kumar Kannaujiya holds a PhD and an MPhil in Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai. Before joining KHPT, he worked as a junior research scientist and research analyst on the GENDER project at IIPS. He is interested in family planning, maternal and child health, gender issues, and nutrition. He has been published in several peer-reviewed journals and has specialized skills in handling large-scale survey data, such as the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS).

With a Master’s Degree in Journalism, Avinaash Kastura leads KHPT’s communications for the Adolescent Health thematic area.
With more than 12 years of combined experience in advertising, journalism, and the development sector, he has experience in communications, documentation, managing social media campaigns, and organizing events.
Avinaash started his career as a journalist with NDTV-HINDU and later moved into the development sector. In his first role, he worked for the Banyan, a mental health organization, and then with REACH, an NGO working for the welfare of persons with TB. Before moving to KHPT, he worked as a Media Consultant at United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Avinaash loves travelling and filter coffee, and lives by the mantra Live, Laugh, Love!

Raghavendra Kamati holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Library Management. With over 19 years of experience in the development sector, he excels in developing comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plans, designing evaluation study tools, and creating robust databases. He has a proven track record in identifying and training teams, ensuring effective data collection and monitoring processes. Raghavendra is proficient in managing Management Information Systems, analyzing data, and enhancing data quality through supportive supervision and monitoring visits. His expertise extends to the successful implementation of screening, mapping, validation, and research surveys across both urban and rural areas, targeting general, at-risk, and vulnerable populations. Additionally, he is adept at designing and implementing M&E frameworks, conducting data analysis, and performing impact assessments for various development projects.

Sandeep H has over 15 years of experience in the field. He holds a Diploma in IT from Visvesvaraya Technological University and has completed a Certificate Course on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of Health Programs (CCME). His experience includes designing, implementing, and developing assessment tools, concept notes, and training manuals for rural HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs.

Sandeep’s core competencies are developing monitoring and evaluation plans, handling issues related to MIS/CMIS, analyzing data, and strengthening data quality through supportive supervision and monitoring visits. He has implemented screening, mapping, validation, and research surveys among the general, at-risk, and vulnerable populations in urban and rural areas.