Researcher Spotlight: Aditi Ramakrishnan

What is your professional background?
I am third-year Infectious diseases fellow and I am also completing a Master of Science in Clinical Research at Emory University. I am originally from New York and received my undergraduate degree at Yale University. Subsequently, I worked as a William J. Clinton public health fellow in India, where I became interested in qualitative research, and explored this further through receiving a MA in Anthropology at Columbia University. I completed my medical degree and residency at University of Michigan. After fellowship, I am planning to develop an academic career in infectious diseases.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I am a fellow in the Division of Infectious Diseases. My primary mentor is Dr. Anandi Sheth, who specializes in HIV prevention and treatment for women.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research focuses on applying implementation science to improve HIV prevention and treatment for women, a group that is underrepresented in HIV research. My thesis research is a multivariable analysis of provider knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding HIV prevention and specifically PrEP, a medication that can prevent HIV. Our findings have important implications for improving provider training and PrEP delivery for women. Other implementation science studies I am conducting include an evaluation of a mobile integrated health program for pregnant women with HIV and their infants which was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a study of substance use treatment utilization among women with- and at risk for- HIV in the South through the Women’s Interagency HIV Study.

What do you like most about Emory?
The breadth of infectious diseases training, the collaborative environment, and the supportive mentorship.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
“The West Wing”

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy hiking, trying out new foods, playing the violin, and more recently, being a new mom to my nine-month-old daughter!

What is a fun fact about you?
I learned to surf while living in Chennai, India between 2009 – 2010, thanks to my friend and the lead community health worker at The Banyan, who has since founded a large surfing school.