Sachini Bandara

Sachini Bandara is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her work focuses on public health policies addressing mental health, substance use, and populations involved in the criminal legal system. She holds a PhD (2018) from Johns Hopkins, an MS (2011) from Harvard School of Public Health, and a BA (2007) from UC Berkeley.

Her research employs mixed methods to study policy implementation, lived experiences, and policy effectiveness, particularly regarding the U.S. overdose crisis and carceral system impacts. Key areas include harm reduction, Medicaid policy, and child welfare system interactions with substance use laws.

Notable awards include the 2023-2025 Implementation Research Institute Fellowship and the 2021 Addiction Health Services Research Early Career Award. Her publications emphasize policy analysis, overdose prevention, and healthcare access for marginalized populations.

Bandara’s work bridges implementation science with advocacy, addressing gaps in opioid treatment in correctional facilities and evaluating state policies affecting vulnerable groups. She collaborates on national initiatives to reform drug policies and improve health equity.