Team

Prof. Vijay Kumar

Prof. Vijay Kumar is the Chief Executive Officer at Poverty Learning Foundation. His specialized research is in using Implementation Science for better results (Evidence for Effectiveness), His current responsibilities including Strategic Planning and Portfolio Development, in addition to leading the vertical on Childhood and Youth and under his leadership the team is working on policy-linked research to examine the social protection of children. He has previously served as Deputy CEO of Smart Andhra Pradesh Foundation; Professor in UNICEF-CESS Division for Child Studies Young Lives International Study of Childhood Poverty, Oxford Department of International Development, Save the Children India Research head in Catalyst Management Services Pvt, ltd, and Senior Fellow in CD Deshmukh IMPART Centre (RBI Chair) in Council for Social Development, Ministry of HRD.

His research studies are supported by national and international organizations including - UNICEF India, DFID UK, World Bank Washington DC, UNDP India, Ford Foundation India, OXFAM GB, British Petroleum Energy Corporation UK, ILO-IPEC India, Family Health International, ODI, National Aids Control Organization - India, BMGF, HIV AIDS Alliance India, Clinton Foundation, LEPRA India, BPRC UK, NHK TV Japan, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Women and Child Development - Government of India, National Commission for Women, National Commission of Labour - Government of India.

He has provided leadership in over 65 policy-lined research studies and evaluations, published 55 papers/chapters/working papers and edited/authored 11 books and presented research works in 78 national and international conferences. He holds a doctorate in Social Anthropology and has over 30 years of experience in research, monitoring and impact evaluation and teaching.

N.L Narasimha Reddy

N.L Narasimha Reddy is the Programme Director - Governace & Institutions at Poverty Learning Foundation. His current areas of research are Monitoring and Evaluation and Poverty and Inclusion. He is the one of the founding members of the organization and has played a significant role in leading the organization. He currently leads the organization on strategic work on development management and is actively engaged in organizational development. He has actively engaged in working on creating grassroot innovation, institutional development, design and demonstration of sustainable development projects, action research and policy formulation in varied capacities.

Dr. Joseph Plakkoottam

Dr. Joseph L. Plakkoottam,is a Senior Fellow with PLF. His current research interests include climate change and water management, and sustainable legacies of development projects. Joseph has over four decades of professional experience in project design and management, monitoring and evaluation, agriculture and livelihoods promotion, participatory irrigation and groundwater management, sanitation and hygiene education, organization analysis and perspective planning, and training and capacity building. He has managed the research, documentation, communication, and dissemination tasks of several multi-lateral projects.

Educated in India and the USA in Sociology and Planning, he was awarded an East West Center degree study fellowship and an EWC-University of Hawaii joint-doctoral internship. He has taught graduate students, advised research scholars, and organized short-term courses, seminars and workshops. He has co-authored several research and evaluation report and has extensive editorial experience. He was the task leader or member of a number of international project evaluation missions.

Shandilya Adipudi

Shandilya Adipudi is a technology entrepreneur with 14 years of experience in the analytics space. He has previously worked in a variety of domains such as F&B, Retail, CPG, CRM with several Fortune 100 companies and with 4 start-ups in their journey to scale an idea to a working enterprise solution. His expertise is in helping organisations achieve digital transformation and develop a data-driven culture. He is currently working to create a niche in the social & development sector, through enabling a Technology Enabled Analytics Approach for CSR spends.

Madhuri Newale

Madhuri Newale is a management graduate with over 24 years of experience in rural development projects in over 9 states in India. Her expertise is in designing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation and learning systems for projects and programs and generating learnings for strategic planning and dissemination. She has rich multi-sectoral experience and in working with multiple agencies has contributed to her work in bringing cross-sector understandings leading to effective contribution to reform initiatives. Some of her important assignments include developing M&E system for AP Vision 2029. She has a Masters in Management Science from University of Pune.

Kompalli H. S. S. Sundar

Kompalli H. S. S. Sundar (born 1966) holds a Doctorate Degree from the School of Social Sciences, Hyderabad Central University. He has to his credit two decades of experience in rural development projects. His development experiences are strengthened by various academic and research assignments. He has a good track record in publication of books (Telugu and English), articles in journals and paper presentations in various seminars and workshops. His works are published by reputed local (Prajasakti Book House), national (National Book Trust, Govt. of India) and international (Routledge, London) publishing houses. He has expertise in programme monitoring, social analysis and case study documentation. He acted as resource person for many institutions and universities. He has been associated with projects supported by various organisations for over ten years: Dr. Reddy’s Foundation; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Azim Premji Foundation; Divis Laboratories; Cyient Foundation; Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, Aurobindo Pharma Foundation.

Dr.Rajagopal S

Dr. Rajagopal S is a medical doctor with eleven solid years of practice experience. Dedicated to exemplary patient outcomes and following all necessary medical procedures with the use of the latest industry equipment and technology. Strong focus on listening to and addressing patient concerns and answering all questions in terms patients can easily understand. Willingness to work with all members of the medical team and listen to their suggestions and input to improve results and maximize patient satisfaction.

Proven and effective communication skills with patients, families, and other medical professionals. -Leadership abilities to lead and manage practice staff in providing patients with quality care. -Highly organized, which allows me to keep appointments, records, and patient details in order. -Able to quickly and properly diagnose patient conditions in emergency situations to ensure they receive the treatment they need as soon as possible under controlled conditions.

Specialized in Public health & community medicine research projects. Worked as Integrated physician in M.S Ramaiah Hospital, as Deputy Medical Director in Apollo Total health (ACSR initiative of AHEL), as an Associate Professor in Bhagawanth Medical College Bijnor-U.P, Sai Ram Medical College Chennai-TamilNadu, Head R&D in Sriparipoorna Sanathana Medical college Bengaluru-Karnataka.

Had MD in Internal medicine from NTR University of Health Sciences, Diploma courses in Nutrition, Emergency medicine, Yoga in Clinical therapies, Intermediate in A P R Junior College Nagarjuna Sagar, Schooling in A M L M High School Hindupur.

Achievements
Conducted cancer screening to 8568 women folk, Cardiac screening for CHD’s for 78 government schools & 72 Anganawadi centres, cataract surgeries and spectacle aid to 1156 members of Thavanampalle Mandal. During pandemics served entire Chittor District and given online consultation to thousands of Covid19 patients in both Telugu states. Published 23 scientific papers in different national and international medical journals as P.I, Author and co-author.

Rama Sen

Rama Sen is a development practitioner with 18 years of teaching experience in Delhi Public School, Hyderabad and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Nivedita Vidya Mandir School, New Delhi. She has earlier worked as consultant for 4 years with Voluntary Health Association of India, New Delhi, Action Aid, India, Plan International, India and AVARD / Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi on issues such as tribal and women community health development, income generation through women SHGs and marketing of handicraft / handloom products in the states of Tripura, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Rama has done her Masters in Anthropology with specialization in human biology, human genetics and cultural anthropology from University of Delhi, Delhi and B.Ed in Science and English and Certificate in Computing from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.

Sree Pruthvi B

Sree Pruthvi B is a Senior Research Associate at Poverty Learning Foundation. Her current area of research is in the Poverty and Inclusion vertical with focus on policy challenges of internal migration in India and developmental challenges. Her areas of interest include livelihoods, poverty, inequality and developmental issues. She holds a masters in Rural Development and Governance from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a Bachelors in Commerce (Hons) from M.O.P Vaishnav College, Madras University. She also holds a certificate in Cost and Management Accountancy. Her previous work experiences involve working with rural communities on creating sustainable livelihood activities and project management with Mahila Abhivruddhi Society (APMAS) in Hyderabad.

Yerram Sanath Kumar

Yerram Sanath Kumar is a Field Coordinator at Poverty Learning Foundation. He holds a Masters degree in Social Work from Roda Mistry College of Social Work and Research Centre. His current area of Research is on Family and Child Welfare. He has previously worked with SAATHI foundation and Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) as field officer on public health and child protection projects.

Sakhi Arun

Sakhi Arun is a Research Associate at the Poverty Learning Foundation who holds a Masters of Arts in Development Studies and Bachelors’ of Arts in Social Sciences from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad. She has worked with various organisation like Inclusive Media for Change, Access Livelihood Consultancy, India, among others that cover several topics under the development umbrella that include, education, media, gender, working with minorities, women and child development. she is highly skilled in quantitative and qualitative research tools and has an excellent knowledge of analysing the development experiences and their effects on the society with a proven experience in project management, impact evaluation and data analysis. In terms of her intellectual pursuits, her interest lies in examining the potential role of India’s social protection policy framework in ameliorating the precarious livelihood conditions of the urban population, which was also the underlying motive of her Master’s dissertation.

Shaik Adil Akram

Shaik Adil Akram is a Research Associate at Poverty Learning Foundation. Adil has completed his Master of Arts in Development Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad. His previous work experiences as a Field Research Executive in Academy of Management Studies (AMS), involved him working in multiple projects; projects on Health & Nutrition with NHSRC, Project on Tribal Development with Department of Tribal Welfare, India, and project on Economic Inclusion with RBI. He has an experience of handling primary data collection across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, leading a team of Research Investigators. His research interests lie towards Tribal Empowerment and Environment & Development. He also holds publications along the lines of his research interest,one of which was published in International Journal of Development Research.