Priyanka Shrestha

Priyanka is a PhD student in Implementation Science at the University of Washington Department of Global Health. She has an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, and an MSc degree in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). After her master’s degree, she assisted in multiple projects at the International Diagnostics Centre at LSHTM, researching diagnostics quality and policy importance for public health emergencies, one health, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Besides research, she has also served in project management and capacity building roles at the World Health Organization to advance social innovations in health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most recently, she engaged with a global health consultancy to employ interdisciplinary research and community-based participatory methods for vector borne disease projects. Her research interests include community-based health research, health system inequities, health innovations, and implementation science.

Reflecting on her time with START, Priyanka said, "START has been an incredibly enriching journey, providing me with invaluable opportunities for growth and development, both in my professional and personal capacities. START has allowed me to expand my horizons, develop critical skills, and cultivate lasting connections. I am immensely grateful for the remarkable experiences and unwavering support I have received from the faculty, peers, and leadership team, and I look forward to the profound impact START will continue to have on my professional path."