Education
BA Biology, Political Science, Boston University, 2010
MPH Epidemiology, Boston University, 2014
PhD Epidemiology, University of Washington, 2024
Contact
Bio
Dr. Ramya Kumar is an epidemiologist, writer, and educator with expertise in global health, outbreak response, and science communication. She has led HIV prevention and health system research in Southern Africa and brings outbreak investigation field experience from cholera to bubonic plague. Her work centers on participatory methods to elevate community knowledge that is often excluded from mainstream research. She teaches epidemiology, scientific writing, and health communication.
Research Areas
Research Interests
• stigma, infectious disease, and community-led health systems
• public engagement with science through storytelling and media
• participatory methods and narrative inquiry in wellness
Link for publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jNgnaq4AAAAJ&hl=en
Recent Publications (PubMed)
(2025 Jul 15)
Langmuir 41(27): 17426-17438
Sekar RP, Lawson JL, McGrath C, Wheeler G, Moreau G, Johansen CG, Farnsworth NL, Kumar R
(2025 Jun 18)
Sex Reprod Health Matters
Desai S, Afsana K, Chadha N, Govil D, Mankani N, Kumar R
(2025)
PLOS Glob Public Health 5(6): e0004461
Kumar R, Mwale C, Maritim P, Phiri J, Barrington W, Zyambo R, Zimba M, Mugwanya K, Herce M, Musheke M, Rao D, Sharma A
(2025 Jun 17)
mSystems 10(6): e0167924
Kumar R, Tanous O, Mills D, Wispelwey B, Asi Y, Hammoudeh W, Dewachi O
(2025 Apr 22)
Cell Commun Signal 23(1): 191
Chen CY, Chen CL, Ng YS, Lee DY, Lin SS, Huang CK, Kumar R, Wang HC
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