BUA Institution

Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Research Description

I am a meta-researcher (research on research) focusing on clinical research quality across global and national cohorts. I apply various indicators to assess the transparency, accessibility, and relevance of clinical research. My work also involves developing, adapting, and scaling tools and methods that support evaluation and enhance the reproducibility of research findings.

Where in the world has your career been largely based until now?

My career has been based in India and Germany. After completing my MBBS in India, I worked as medical officer for 3 years. I later moved to Berlin in 2019 to pursue an MSc in International Health at Charité–Universitätsmedizin.

Why Berlin?

Berlin happened by chance, and I’m really glad it did. I moved from a practice-oriented field to academia in Berlin and everything I know about the academic environment I’ve learned here. I think that’s been a good standard to start with. I also really enjoy the city’s liveliness, its architecture, and its history. The city isn’t automatically “friendly” at first but it does feel friendly when you are intentional and open to it.

How will your research change the world?

The interesting part is that I don’t necessarily want my research to “change the world” in a direct sense, but rather how research itself is conducted. Meta-research helps us understand research as a collective system, how the work we are part of is evolving, whether it meets the standards we set, and where the gaps and opportunities for improvement are. I would like my research to help us become more aware that we are in this together, and more intentional about how we conduct it.

What major short-term goal are you currently working towards with your research?

My current short-term goal is working towards my PhD at Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin. I have been working in the field for the past four years. I believe that completing my PhD will help me develop a clearer research agenda, strengthen the robustness of my methods, and support a more long-term, impactful perspective on my work.

What did you want to be when you grow up?

Growing up, I wanted to become an anthropologist, inspired by Dr. Temperance Brennan from the Bones series. I think I fulfilled at least part of that curiosity by pursuing medical studies and learning about human anatomy.

Rumour has it that nobody is perfect. Which skill or ability have you really had to work on in your career (or are you perhaps still working on)?

One thing I’m still working on is expressing myself more freely and forming clear opinions, especially around topics of research culture. I sometimes find it hard to articulate my views confidently. That said, I think this as something that keeps improving with practice and time.