About Us
Our approach
Based at the University of Sydney with local and international collaborators, at IDIE, our approach to work is rooted in research and innovation to shape evidence-based policies and practices. Through capacity strengthening via education, training, and mentorship, we empower individuals and institutions as catalysts for progress. Our commitment extends to comprehensive country support, translating guidance into impactful program implementation. Advocacy and communication drive our mission to improve design and delivery, support program implementation, and enhance technical global public health knowledge in the Asia-Pacific region. We forge strong partnerships to leverage collective efforts for sustainable change and improved health and well-being.
Meet the team
Meru Sheel (Team Leader)
Dr Meru Sheel is an Associate Professor and applied epidemiologist with an interdisciplinary background making an internationally recognised contribution to the field of global health. She received a Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) from Manipal University, Kasturba Medical College, a Doctor of Philosophy (Life Sciences) from the Queensland University of Technology ad QUMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and a Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology from the Australian National University. She is currently an Associate Professor (Westpac Research Fellow) and Epidemiologist at the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney.
Cyra Patel
Cyra is an experienced public health professional with a keen interest in public health, strengthening health systems and health policy. She has worked across multiple projects to increase the uptake of research evidence in clinical practice and policy, and has been involved in developing technical advice and recommendations for immunisation policy in Australia for more than 8 years. Cyra is currently completing her PhD on the use of digital tools in improving data systems for immunisation in the Pacific Islands.
Gemma Saravanos
Dr Gemma Saravanos is an early career researcher, educator and clinician based at the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney. She also holds a post-doctoral research fellow appointment at the University of Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School and contributes to multidisciplinary research at part of the Centre for Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research.
Michelle Lynch
Michelle is a Research Officer at the Sydney School of Public Health. She holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology) and a Master of Global Health from the University of Sydney. Michelle completed her Masters dissertation under the supervision of Associate Professor Meru Sheel.
Adeline Tinessia
Adeline is a research officer with interest in studying the intersection of culture, society, and health in the Southeast Asia region. She holds a Bachelor of International Security Studies with Honours (ANU, 2020), and a Master of Global Health (USYD, 2022)
Niramonh Chanlivong
Dr Niramonh Chanlivong is an experienced public health professional based in Lao PDR.
Praveena Gunaratnam
Dr Praveena Gunaratnam is a public health specialist with 20 years’ experience in Australia, the Asia Pacific region and at the global level. Her great passion is generating and using high quality data to improve health systems and health outcomes, particularly for those with the most need but least access to services.
Mathida Thongseng
Dr Mathida Thongseng is a trained Medical Doctor and has a Master’s Degree in Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She has experience working on disease surveillance and outbreak response. She is the Country Coordinator on Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR) assessment study in Lao PDR.
Unise Vakalonoma
Unise Vakaloloma is currently the Project Officer and Research Assistant for the Disability and Immunization project under Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research at College of Medicine Nursing and Health Science working alongside multiple partners in Health. She’s currently pursuing her Master of Applied Epidemiology at the School of Public Health.
Carlo Lorenzo
Carlo is a young public health professional with interest in disease surveillance and health emergencies. He has worked on multiple public health projects engaging with hard-to-reach communities in selected Southeast Asian countries to improve vaccine uptake and strengthen health emergencies capacity. He is currently a PhD student in USYD researching immunization pro-equity strategies in Southeast Asia.
Ghenu Khillo
Ghenu Khillo is an Indigenous Scholar. Being from an Indigenous community, he is an expert on Indigenous knowledge, culture and traditions borne by the Indigenous communities in India. He has done extensive field-based work on Indigenous health. Currently, he is a PhD student researching on infectious diseases and risk factors related to agriculture and the environment among the Indigenous communities in India towards developing a preventive method through informative action and communication focusing on their Indigenous knowledge system and culture.
Collaborators and affiliates
Key Partners
We believe in the spirit of collaboration. Together, we can share knowledge, resources, and expertise to develop effective strategies, advance research, and ensure a swift response to protect global public health. Below is a list of our collaborators. We welcome new collaborations. Click here If you would like to discuss new ideas.
We are part of the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute