Faculty

Ramya Kumar

Affiliate Assistant Professor, Epidemiology


Education

BA Biology, Political Science, Boston University, 2010
MPH Epidemiology, Boston University, 2014
PhD Epidemiology, University of Washington, 2024

Contact


Centre for Infectious Disease Research Zambia
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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 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)

Beyond the pill: Understanding barriers and enablers to oral and long-acting injectable PrEP among women in sex work in Zambia.
(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

Mixed-methods protocol for the WiSSPr study: Women in Sex work, Stigma and psychosocial barriers to Pre-exposure prophylaxis in Zambia.
(2024 Sep 5)
BMJ Open 14(9): e080218
Kumar R, Rao D, Sharma A, Phiri J, Zimba M, Phiri M, Zyambo R, Kalo GM, Chilembo L, Kunda PM, Mulubwa C, Ngosa B, Mugwanya KK, Barrington WE, Herce ME, Musheke M

Mortality among persons with tuberculosis in Zambian hospitals: A retrospective cohort study.
(2024)
PLOS Glob Public Health 4(6): e0003329
Bwembya J, Kumar R, Musonda V, Chimzizi R, Kasese-Chanda N, Goma L, Kabaso M, Mihova R, Nyimbili S, Makwambeni V, Nyirenda S, Mwinga A, Lungu P

Mortality among persons receiving tuberculosis treatment in Itezhi-Tezhi District of Zambia: A retrospective cohort study.
(2023)
PLOS Glob Public Health 3(2): e0001234
Chaaba E, Bwembya J, Nyambe E, Kumar R, Thior I, Seraphine K, Chongwe G, Makwambeni V, Musonda V, Kasese-Chanda P, Mwinga A

Konzo outbreak in the Western Province of Zambia.
(2020 Apr 7)
Neurology 94(14): e1495-e1501
Siddiqi OK, Kapina M, Kumar R, Ngomah Moraes A, Kabwe P, Mazaba ML, Hachaambwa L, Ng'uni NM, Chikoti PC, Morel-Espinosa M, Jarrett JM, Baggett HC, Chizema-Kawesha E

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