Central and
Southern Asia
Regional Community Convenor (RCC)
BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), BRAC University is a leading global Public Health Institute was founded by Late Sir Fazle Hasan Abed in 2004 in Dhaka, Bangladesh to address the unmet public health challenges particular to Asia, Africa, and South America. The research at school focuses on transforming evidence into action for change by combining grounded research and analysis to inform the Government, Key Stakeholders, Civil Society and Donors. Through the involvement with 123 Extensive Global and National Partnerships and Networks, evidence is disseminated to support programmes and policies, nationally and globally.
Farzana Misha, Assistant Professor
A economist with 15 years of experience in impact evaluations using experimental and quasi-experimental methods, research coordination and program design. She has extensive experience and knowledge of multifaceted and multisectoral development programming. Her research focuses on the extremely poor, marginalized and climate vulnerable population.
Sameen Nasar, Research Fellow
A public health researcher with 5 years of experience in quantitative and mixed methods research. His previous experiences are in the areas of nutrition, financial technology, consulting, management information systems, and economics.
Wafa Alam, Research Fellow
Wafa Alam is a Research Fellow at BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University. She has 5 years of experience in qualitative, mixed methods and community-based participatory research. Her previous experience are in areas of health systems, urban health, urban governance, and lives of marginalized people. She completed her Master of Public Health from BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University. She has an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) from Monash University.
Md. Tanzirul Alam, Research Assistant
Md.Tanzirul Alam is a Research Assistant at BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University. He completed his graduation in Speech and Language Pathology from Department of Communication Disorders, University of Dhaka. He has experience in qualitative and quantitative research in areas of SRHR and Digital Health. His research interests are in SRHR, Gender, Climate Change etc.
Co-Convenors
Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) of BRAC University
Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER)”. The Centre establishes a synergy between BRACU and BRAC in the field of climate change and other environmental issues. The centre also maintains partnerships with other national and international organizations as appropriate. Resources and expertise available in the departments, schools and institutes of the university have been mobilized in the field pertinent to adaptation and mitigation. Special attention is given to research in the area of adverse impact of climate change on health, food security, poverty and livelihood, displacement and migration, loss and damage assessment, renewable energy, negotiation process, technology transfer, education and awareness, etc
Aga Khan University, Brain and Mind Institute
The Aga Khan University will be an autonomous, international institution of distinction, primarily serving the developing world and Muslim societies in innovative and enduring ways.
The Brain and Mind Institute is advancing brain health through collaborative Research, Education, and Innovation in Mental Health and Neuroscience
Roufa Khanum, Assistant Director
She is the Assistant Director at the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) of BRAC University. She has expertise in managing different levels of human and financial resources. She has working experience in the Disaster Management sector, more specifically on the development of MIS, GIS mapping & analysis.
Zul Merali, Founding Director
Dr Zul Merali is the Founding Director of the Brain and Mind Institute at the Aga Khan University. He is a neuroscientist and pharmacologist by training (McGill University, University of Ottawa and Wharton), with over 40 years of academic engagement.
Youth Ambassadors
K.M. Miraj Sujoy
School of Law, BRAC University
He is a student at the school of law at BRAC University. He worked as an assistant director at the BRAC University Entrepreneurship Development Forum (BUEDF). He is working as a Mental Health Ambassador for Lifespring, which is an organisation that works for psychological support. He advocates mental health support for his peer network and connects them with professionals.
Kezang Wangmo
Economics and Social Sciences, BRAC University
She is an international student from Bhutan at the Department of Anthropology at BRAC University. She volunteered with the Sustainable Development Solution Network for Youth. She has lived experiences on tackling mental health issues, and she motivates others regarding mental health awareness.
Kunnuru Duishobekova
Kyrgyz-Turkish Univeristy Manas
She is a student of Economics, Management, and International Relations at Kyrgyz-Turkish University Manas. She has worked as an Intern in Green Alliance, ORASAM Central Asian Research Center and Central Asia Youth for Water. She has experience in media promotion, research and project management
Aishath Enash
Department of Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology
Aishath Enash is a Bachelor of Environmental Management graduate who is currently working in Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology as a Program Officer in Department of Water and Sanitation. Ms. Enash is also a board member in an NGO known as U-Inspire Maldives, which is the Maldives chapter of the U-Inspire Global Alliance. Her main areas of interests include waste management, environment related social issues and ecosystem (mainly mangrove) conservation. Passion for ecosystem conservation has led her to work with project ABLE to create awareness regarding ecosystems of the Maldives by developing a book. Ms. Enash is the author of the mangrove chapter of the book.
Lived Experience Advisory Group
Monira Rahman
Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation Mental Health First Aid Bangladesh
Award winning International Human Rights defender. Ashoka Fellow and Commonwealth fellow. Founder for the pioneer NGO named Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation promoting mental health equity in Bangladesh. Co-founder, Bangladesh Mental Health Network, only platform for all stakeholders to work together in the mental health field
Poornima Prahakaran
Public Health Foundation of India
Poornima is a medical doctor and epidemiologist with two decades of research in public health. As previous head of environmental health,Public Health Foundation of India and now Director ,Centre for Health Analytics Research and Trends (CHART) at the Ashoka University's Trivedi School of Biosciences, she leads research projects on environmental risks and their impacts on physical and mental health.
Matrika Devkota
Founder & Executive Director KOSHISH
Matrika Devkota is the executive director of KOSHISH, which promotes the rights of people with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities in Nepal, and the treasurer of Transforming Communities for Inclusion. He co-authored Action for Global Health‘s chapter on SDG 3 in Bond’s recent UK progress report.