Biosketch
Dr. Azad Devyani is a Dental Surgeon and Public Health Researcher. She has expertise in public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics, and holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).
She is currently working with the HASP (Heart Attack and Stroke Predictability) Study at SKAN Research Trust, where she contributes to developing a cardiovascular risk prediction model designed specifically for the Indian population. She is also a member of the SKAN Research Trust Ethics Committee and is involved in ethical review and oversight of research activities.
Her research experience includes epidemiological studies such as cohort studies, hospital-based case–control studies and analytical cross-sectional studies. She has worked on study planning, project coordination, training of research teams, field-level data collection, stakeholder coordination, and data analysis.
She has presented her work at scientific conferences. Her key areas of interest include non-communicable diseases, neurological and mental health, oral health, strengthening health systems, and translating research into practical public health solutions for India.
Research Focus
1. Non-Communicable Diseases & Cardiovascular Health
- Development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction models
- Assessment of stroke and cardiac care pathways and patient outcomes
2. Neurology and Mental Health
- Development of training manuals for mental health screening tools
3. Health Systems, Community & Public Health
- Strengthening primary healthcare services
- Supporting immunization programs and community outreach activities
- Road safety and injury prevention initiatives
4. Research Methods & Operations
- Epidemiological study design and implementation
- Ethics, regulatory approvals and processes
- Training and capacity building of research teams
- Field implementation and coordination across multiple sectors
Publications
- Soota A, Shouche Y, Garady L, Srikanth KV, Chandrachari KP, Sharma SV, Kukkupuni SK, Devyani A, Amritha S, Gopi AP. Non-traditional environmental and cultural determinants of cardiovascular disease in India: A narrative review. Cureus. 2026 Mar 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.105876.
- Medhi U, Banandur PS, Arvind BA, Sukumar GM, Rajeshwari, Velu S, Naik V, Therat S, Devyani A. Assessing quality of sensitization programs of state-wide youth mental health promotion program—An Indian example. Indian J Community Med. 2025 Jan;50(1). doi:10.4103/IJCM.IJCM_719_23.
- Devyani A, Banandur PS, Sukumar GM, Kulkarni GB, Mythirayee S, Rathore H. Assessment of stroke case-fatality, disability, perceived needs and barriers for care among first-ever stroke patients attending a tertiary care neuro-specialty center in India: A cross-sectional study. Indian J Community Med. 2025 Jan;50(1). doi:10.4103/IJCM.IJCM_713_23.
- Garady L, Soota A, Shouche Y, Chandrachari KP, Srikanth KV, Shankar P, Sharma SV, Kavyashree C, Munnyal S, Gopi AP, Devyani A. A narrative review of the role of blood biomarkers in the risk prediction of cardiovascular diseases. Cureus. 2024 Dec 1. doi:10.7759/cureus.74899.
- Therat S, Banandur PS, Sukumar GM, Shenoy AB, Arvind BA, Nagaraja SR, Rai V, Medhi U, Devyani A. Prevalence and factors associated with “ever use of smokeless tobacco” among participants attending life skills training and counseling services program across Karnataka from 2017 to 2022. Indian J Soc Psychiatry. 2024 Jul. doi:10.4103/IJSP.IJSP_232_22.
- Medhi U, Pradeep BS, Arvind BA, Gautham MS, Rajeshwari, Velu S, Vani, Sonia T, Devyani A. Structured Assessment of Quality of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Materials Utilised under Programme Yuva Spandana: A Cross-Sectional Study. Indian J Youth Adolesc Health. 2023 Dec 30. doi:10.24321/2349.2880.202311.
- Therat S, Banandur PS, Sukumar GM, Shenoy AB, Arvind BA, Nagaraja SR, Rai V, Medhi U, Devyani A. Smoked tobacco dependence and its correlates among participants attending life skills training and counselling services programme across Karnataka (2017–2022). J Fam Med Prim Care. 2023 Nov. doi:10.4103/JFMPC.JFMPC_591_23.
- Gagana GD, Shastri SG, Srinivas PK, Pooja S, Murugesh J, Parthasarathy R, Devyani A, Rathore H, Shivashankara N, Randeep D. Healthier mind builds healthier nation under ABArK. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2023 Jul 29. doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20232385.