Varalakshmi Manchana
Dr. Varalakshmi Manchana, Associate Professor at School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, is rich experience in teaching at higher education institutions for about two decades/ Her research areas include, Healthy Ageing, Frailty, Dementia, Disability, Nutrition, Nursing, Sleep and Chronic Pain, Women and Mental health, Adolescent wellbeing, Socio-Behavioural health, Gender, Health promotion, NCDs and Injury Epidemiology. She has coordinated and supervises PhD in Health sciences (Public health and Nursing) in her school. Dr. Manchana is a recipient of the International Fellowship for Senior Biomedical Scientists awarded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (2022–2023) in the field of Ageing and Social Change. She was also awarded the International Faculty Mobility Program to Canada and received an International Program Development Grant for conducting the India Ageing Study pilot research. Additionally, she has secured extramural research grants for projects on child injuries (ICMR) and the health and social status of older populations in relation to quality of life (ICSSR) and 'Fall Risk and Dementia Prevention through CogPhyEx', funded by the Institution of Eminence Grant. She has developed 'Healthy and Active Ageing' Research Lab, with support from University of Hyderabad and DST-FIST. Under her leadership, the Healthy Ageing Initiative was launched as part of her scientific social responsibility efforts, extending research to both rural and urban communities to promote active ageing and well-being. She has organized several international and national workshops and seminars such as GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks) and workshop series in Ageing and Health and Gender. She has presented her research at prestigious national and international conferences in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Sweden, and Malaysia. Published 32 research publications in indexed journals and presented her research in several national and international conferences, served as committees of national importance. She has coordinated academic programs in collaboration with external and conducts research with international collaboration. She is experienced in professional accreditation processes and serves as an ad hoc member for professional councils, a PhD external examiner, and a member of various scientific and professional committees., as a member convenor for the Institutional Ethics Committee, nominee for the Committee for the Purpose of Control And Supervision of Experiments on Animals and resource person to various external organizations and human and animal ethics committees. Professional developmental courses to her credit include, Disaster management, Gender studies, Hospital administration, Education Technology and Bioethics and Quality assurance in Teaching-Learning etc affirms her commitment for Lifelong learning. She strongly believes in Value based education.