Rutuja is a Senior Scientist at the Vadu Rural Health Program of KEM Hospital Research Centre Pune. Specializing in Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS), Stakeholder & Community Engagement and Digital health, she leads implementation research studies in rural and tribal areas of Pune District. Rutuja has designed and executed studies that contributed valuable insights for policy decisions, particularly in the realms of respiratory health and the adoption of clean cooking fuel. Her work, rooted in a PhD in Global Health from the University of Edinburgh, UK, has led to the establishment of a teleconsultation centre in rural Pune. As a driving force behind the Indian HDSS Network, she has facilitated collaboration among 19 research sites across India. As of Jan 2024, she has published nearly 35 research papers, a Lancet Cover story and authored a book.
