Dr. Manju Rahi is a distinguished public health scientist with over 25 years of experience in vector-borne disease research, with expertise in malaria, vector biology, and evidence-based public health interventions. As Director of the ICMR National Institute for Vector Control Research (ICMR-NIVCR), she provides strategic leadership in advancing multidisciplinary research, fostering scientific innovation, and translating research into policies and programmes for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.
She has secured and led major research initiatives funded by the Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation, Global Fund (GFATM), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Her research has generated important evidence to strengthen malaria elimination strategies. Dr. Rahi played a key role in establishing the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India), a collaborative research initiative to accelerate the country’s malaria elimination goals. Her research portfolio also extends to dengue, lymphatic filariasis, rickettsial diseases, rabies, and other neglected tropical diseases, including the evaluation of innovative vector control technologies and molecular surveillance approaches.
Dr. Rahi has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and continues to mentor the next generation of scientists, strengthening India's leadership in vector-borne disease research and public health.
Dr Manju Rahi