Dr. Manoj Vasant Murhekar is a distinguished public health leader and authority in infectious disease epidemiology in India. He currently serves as Director of the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), where he heads the Epidemiology Division as Scientist G. With over twelve years of dedicated service at NIE, Dr. Murhekar has established himself as a cornerstone of India's public health research infrastructure. Prior to his current leadership role, he conducted impactful epidemiological studies at the Regional Medical Research Centre in Port Blair, focusing on vulnerable tribal populations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Dr. Murhekar's field-based research has significantly advanced the understanding and management of vaccine-preventable diseases across India, with notable contributions to diphtheria, measles, Japanese encephalitis, and Kyasanur Forest Disease epidemiology. His methodical investigations have generated critical evidence for public health interventions in challenging geographical and demographic contexts, particularly in remote tribal communities with limited healthcare access. With a Google Scholar citation count exceeding 24,000, his scholarly impact extends to strengthening national disease surveillance frameworks and outbreak response protocols. His 2022 publication in The Lancet Global Health on healthcare-associated infection surveillance exemplifies his commitment to translating epidemiological evidence into actionable public health policy.
As core faculty for the epidemiology, disease surveillance, and outbreak investigation modules in the Master of Public Health program at the ICMR School of Public Health, Dr. Murhekar actively mentors the next generation of public health professionals in India. His leadership in developing robust epidemiological frameworks has enhanced India's capacity to respond to emerging infectious disease threats and pandemics. Through his ongoing work at the intersection of research and public health practice, he continues to shape national strategies for infectious disease control and prevention. Dr. Murhekar's dedication to strengthening India's public health infrastructure ensures his enduring influence on epidemiological practice and policy development across the country.
