Sumali Bajaj

Dr. Sumali Bajaj is a Peter J Braam Early Career Research Fellow in Global Wellbeing at Merton College, University of Oxford. Her research focuses on developing statistical and computational tools to analyze infection risks and healthcare disparities in infectious diseases. She holds a BSc from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, an MSc from Harvard University, and a DPhil in infectious disease modelling from the University of Oxford. Her work emphasizes leveraging serological data to reconstruct transmission dynamics and optimizing survey design with limited resources.

Her current research collaborations span various departments at Oxford and international partners in South America and India. She is passionate about teaching the application of statistics and mathematics in disease modelling and public health. Key research areas include SARS-CoV-2 transmission analysis, healthcare inequities, and the impact of pandemic interventions on global disease patterns.

• Education:
  • BSc (Statistics/Biostatistics) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women
  • MSc (Biostatistics) from Harvard University
  • DPhil (Infectious Disease Modelling) from University of Oxford

Her recent publications highlight advancements in real-time epidemic modelling, AI applications in disease forecasting, and the sociodemographic dimensions of testing behaviors during the pandemic. Dr. Bajaj’s work bridges mathematical rigor with public health practice, addressing global challenges in infectious disease surveillance and equity.