Namratha Rao

Namratha Rao is a public health professional with expertise in gender equity, empowerment, and health research. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree.1 Rao has worked as a Research Program Manager/Consultant at the Center on Gender Equity and Health (GEH) at the University of California San Diego, supporting the center's research portfolio in India.13

Currently, Rao manages research on gender empowerment, data, and health at the Newcomb Institute, Tulane University.4 She is involved in the EMERGE (Evidence-based Measures of Empowerment for Research on Gender Equality) initiative, which is an open-access repository of gender empowerment survey measures.25

Rao has experience working in various sectors including HIV/AIDS, family planning, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).1 Her research interests include health behavior change approaches to intervention and the intersections of environment, gender, and health.1 She is also deeply concerned about climate change.4

Throughout her career, Rao has contributed to several research publications focused on gender equity and empowerment.6 Her work involves supporting the development and implementation of evidence-based measures for gender equality and empowerment in research, teaching, program, and advocacy efforts.2