Bisakha Sen

Bisakha (Pia) Sen is a tenured Professor and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Endowed Chair in Health Economics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She holds positions in the Department of Health Care Organization & Policy within the School of Public Health. Her work focuses on health policy, health disparities, and health services research, particularly addressing vulnerable populations in Alabama and nationally. Dr. Sen has received funding from NIH, CDC, and foundations like Robert Wood Johnson.

Dr. Sen earned her Ph.D. in Economics from The Ohio State University (1998), with a dissertation on labor supply behavior. She also holds master's and bachelor's degrees in Economics from institutions including the University of Calcutta.

Her research interests emphasize policy interventions to improve healthcare access and outcomes, with a focus on pediatric health, dental care, and disparities in chronic disease management. Notable projects include evaluating the impact of Medicaid/CHIP policies, firearm regulations on public health, and telehealth during the pandemic.

Publications highlight her work on preventive dental care's long-term benefits, firearm-related mortality, and telehealth adoption. Awards include the B-Metro Fusion Award (2015) and recognition for mentorship and teaching excellence.

Dr. Sen has advised numerous students and led grants totaling millions, collaborating with agencies like Alabama Medicaid and the CDC. She is affiliated with UAB's Nutrition Obesity Research Center and Diabetes Research & Training Center, advancing interdisciplinary health equity efforts.