Journal of Indian Anthropological Society
Scientist-E at the ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar
Department of Health Research, Government of India
Dr. Subhendu Kumar Acharya is a medical anthropologist and public health researcher currently serving as Scientist-E at the ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, under the Department of Health Research, Government of India. He has more than a decade of experience in population-based, implementation, and mixed-methods research, with a strong focus on socially and structurally marginalized populations.
Dr. Acharya holds a PhD in Medical Anthropology from the University of Delhi. His academic training is grounded in biocultural and social determinants frameworks, integrating anthropological theory with epidemiology, health systems research, and applied public health practice. His primary research interests include tribal health, adolescent and youth health risk behaviors, nutritional behavior, social determinants of health, digital health innovations, and health system strengthening.
He has led and contributed to multiple nationally funded research projects supported by ICMR, ICSSR, and other agencies, working as Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator, and Co-Investigator. His research spans adolescent nutrition and health risk behaviors, sickle cell disease, tuberculosis treatment adherence, mental health, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and disaster resilience. A defining feature of his work is the use of mixed methods and community-engaged approaches to understand how social, cultural, and institutional contexts shape health behaviors and service utilization.
Dr. Acharya has made significant contributions to the development of digital public health tools, including copyright-registered e-applications for adolescent health risk behavior surveillance and sickle cell disease awareness, care navigation, and support. His work emphasizes usability, scalability, and alignment with public health systems, particularly at district and sub-district levels.
He is actively engaged in translating research evidence into policy and practice through collaboration with state and national health departments. He serves on technical and advisory committees, including those related to the State Leprosy Elimination Programme in Odisha. Dr. Acharya is a recognized PhD supervisor in Anthropology and Public Health at Utkal University and serves as Adjunct Faculty in Anthropology. His broader academic interests include implementation science, research ethics, mentoring early-career researchers, and strengthening the role of social science in public health programs and policy.