Padmaja Sreeram

At the time of the Forum Fellowship and QE Scholarship, Padmaja was an undergraduate student pursuing a Global Health Specialization in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program. She gained a deep appreciation for system-level approaches to tackling pressing health challenges through her extensive experience in health systems research a Research Assistant in the ForumLab, McMaster Health Forum Fellow, and an Outbound Queen Elizabeth Scholar.

Over her time at the Forum, Padmaja conducted rapid reviews of evidence through the rapid response program, supported the maintenance and evaluation of Health Systems Evidence, translated evidence into plain language summaries, and improved student engagement with health system challenges.

At the NSW Ministry of Health in Sydney, Australia, Padmaja gained unique insight into the nature of health policy development, health system decision-making, and evidence-based state-wide evaluations of government programs. Padmaja shadowed senior government officials, observed daily processes within the government, and led a series of projects to strengthen research-policy linkages.

Padmaja was excited to build upon her Ministry experience at the research-policy interface by combining her interests in advocacy, innovation, strategic planning, and population health in addressing health inequities moving forward.