Portrait of Radhika Sundararajan, MD, PhD

Radhika Sundararajan, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine

Research Summary

I am an Emergency Physician, Anthropologist and Implementation Scientist. I have been conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research in international settings for over two decades. As a physician-scientist, my expertise lies in understanding social determinants of health which drive utilization of healthcare resources in low-resource settings. I served as PI, Co-Investigator, and consultant for global research focused on infectious (HIV, malaria) and chronic (hypertension, gestational diabetes) diseases, and healthcare services more generally. My current research focuses on using Implementation Science approaches to design and evaluate healthcare interventions in low resource settings to improve public health outcomes. From 2017-2022, I was recipient of a K23 Career Development award from the National Institute of Mental Health to improve HIV testing uptake among communities who use informal healthcare resources in southwestern Uganda. Our work has shown that informal providers, such as traditional healers, have strong influence over the health behaviors of their patients. We designed a novel point-of-care HIV testing program which was delivered by traditional healers directly to clients of unknown HIV serostatus. We conducted two cluster randomized trials, which have shown that this program significantly improves uptake of HIV testing among adults of unknown HIV serostatus in eastern Africa. I am currently Principal Investigator for an R01 award to conduct an effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized trial to evaluate if traditional healers can provide HIV self-testing and psychosocial support to improve the entire HIV continuum of care. In addition, I am co-PI on an R01 to evaluate the effectiveness of community health workers to improve screening for gestational and post-partum diabetes among pregnant people in Indian slum communities.

Education and Training

  • M.D., New York University School of Medicine 2010
  • Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania 2006
  • B.A., State University of New York at Binghamton 1998

Recent Publications

  • §Gogineni S, Nuwagaba G, §Hooda M, Natukunda S, Birungi C, Bugeza W, Tushabe M, Nansera D, Muyindike W, Audet CM, Mwanga-Amumpaire J, Sundararajan R. Traditional healers in HIV differentiated service delivery. AIDS. 2026 Oct 8. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000004631. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42847902.
  • §Dubois MM, Powell M, Schenkel S, Kgole S, Masasa G, Ngwaca M, Phale B, Maphorisa NC, Mohammed T, Moyo S, Molefi T, Makhondo T, Mosiane L, Kololo SO, Sharma T, Jaspan H, Enane LA, Butler LM, Mupfumi L, Christos P, Sundararajan R, Mathad J, Fitzgerald D, Powis K. Evaluating Risk of Tuberculosis Infection and Disease Among Adolescents Who Are HIV-exposed Uninfected in Botswana. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 24:10.1097/INF.0000000000005416. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000005416. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42778983; PMCID: PMC13614518.
  • §Kihumuro RB, Ochen E, Atimango L, Kizito S, Haberer J, Maling S, Lydston M, Sundararajan R, Bebell LM. Mapping the use of interactive voice response (IVR) in healthcare in Africa: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2026; 16:e118406. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-118406.
  • Harkness A, Tidd M, Doblecki-Lewis S, Jaramillo J, Prado G, Soto Malave R, Martinez O, Reyes N, Rodriguez-Diaz CE, Malavé Rivera S, Safren SA, Smith JD, Sundararajan R, Altenberg N, Feaster D, Limia J, Saber R, Schrimshaw EW, Santiago-Rodriguez E. Characterizing, protocolizing, and scaling up local adjunctive interventions and implementation strategies to enhance the reach of HIV-prevention and mental health/substance use treatments: A study protocol. 2026 Feb 21. doi: 10.1186/s43058-026-00877-3. PMID: 41721373.
  • Nguyen MX, Yin Z, Liu Y, Bradley CD, Geng E, ItoFukunaga M, Mbeye NM, Tan RKJ, Hanley S, Sundararajan R, Tucker JD. Community engagement and implementation science: a hermeneutic review for implementation scientists. Implement Sci Commun. 2026 Feb 17. doi: 10.1186/s43058-026-00886-2. PMID: 41703598.
  • §Liberman AL, Zhang C, Rostanski SK, Kamel H, Navi BB, Cheng NT, Sundararajan R, Messe SR, Fonarow GC, Prabhakaran S, Xian Y. Aspirin-ticagrelor use after mild acute ischemic stroke: Findings from the get with the guidelines-stroke registry. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2026 Jan 19;35(3):108564. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2026.108564. PMID: 41565167.
  • §Dubois MM, Powell M, Schenkel S, Kgole S, Masasa G, Ngwaca M, Phale B, Diphoko A, Kgathi C, Masheto G, Makhema J, Makhondo T, Mbenge C, Sharma T, Sundararajan R, Mathad J, Modongo C, Butler LM, Fitzgerald D, Powis KM. Tuberculosis screening and care delivery in pregnant and postpartum persons living with HIV in Botswana. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2026 Jan 12;6(1):e0005784. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0005784. PMID: 41525407; PMCID: PMC12795370.
  • §Hooda M, Stead M, Nuwagaba G, Natukunda S, Birungi C, Bugeza W, Tushabe M, §Gogineni S, Nansera D, Muyindike W, Mwanga-Amumpaire J, Sundararajan R. ‘Empowerment’ as a proximal implementation outcome for task shifting with informal cadres: findings from a qualitative study with traditional healers in rural Uganda. Implement Sci Commun. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1186/s43058-025-00823-9. PMID: 41316446.
  • §Gogineni S, Nuwagaba G, §Hooda M, Natukunda S, Birungi C, Bugeza W, Tushabe M, Nansera D, Muyindike W, Audet CM, Mwanga-Amumpaire J, Sundararajan R. Traditional healers can help facilitate HIV serostatus disclosure: results from a qualitative study in rural Uganda. J Int AIDS Soc. 2025 Oct;28(10):e70031. doi: 10.1002/jia2.70031. PMID: 40999574.
  • §Jiang LG, Sats M, Sanapala S, Tierney M, Rippon B, Benda NC, Sundararajan R, Steel PAD. Unveiling the gaps: A comprehensive, equity-focused observational examination of Emergency Department discharge. PLoS One. 2025 Aug 28;20(8):e0331226. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001622. PMID: 40875617; PMCID: PMC12393726.
  • Ramakrishnan U, Hennink M, Kondwani KA, Sundararajan RL, Hunt R, Ingles DJ, Williams D, Smith C, Tran L, Taylor T, Heimburger DC, Golightly LM. Barriers and Facilitators for Participation in Global Health Research Training Programs Among Underrepresented Minority Groups. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2025 May 13:tpmd240847. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0847. PMID: 40359911.
  • Bowers SF, §Lambert VJ, Nzali A, Samson A, Mwakisole N, Yahaya H, Sundararajan R, Kalluvya SE, Mwakisole AH, Downs JA. Proposed changes to framework to assess contraceptive autonomy based on phased in-depth interviews in northwest Tanzania. Reprod Health. 2025 Feb 15;22(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s12978-025-01963-w. PMID: 39955598; PMCID: PMC11829388.
  • St. Sauveur R, Sufra R, Jean Pierre MC, Inddy J, Jean M, Mourra N, Sundararajan R, McNairy ML, Pape JW, Rouzier V, Devieux J, Yan LD. Stakeholder perspectives on barriers and facilitators to hypertension control in urban Haiti: a qualitative study to inform a community-based hypertension management intervention. BMC Public Health. 2025 Jan 3;25(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20793-2. PMID: 39754124; PMCID: PMC11697642.
  • §Broderick K, §Vaidyanathan A, §Ponticiello M, §Hooda M, Kulkarni V, Chalem A, §Chebrolu P, Onawale A, Baumann A, Mathad J, Sundararajan R. Generalizing from qualitative data: a case example using critical realist thematic analysis and mechanism mapping to evaluate a community health worker-led screening program in India. Implement Sci. 2024 Dec 24;19(1):81.
  • Behan J, Kabajaasi O, Derksen B, Sendegye G, Kugumikiriza B, Komugisha C, Sundararajan R, Jacob ST, Kenya-Mugisha N, Wiens MO. Caregivers’ and nurses’ perceptions of the Smart Discharges Program for children with sepsis in Uganda: A qualitative study. PLoS One. 2024 Oct 2;19(10):e0307089. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307089. PMID: 39356657; PMCID: PMC11446420.
  • §Yap A, Sundararajan R, Milewski A, Keceli M, Alkhafaji M, Kowalsky R. “It changed my whole entire thinking”: Identifying narrative elements in medical affidavit writing for asylum seekers. J Forensic Leg Med. 2024 Oct;107:102759. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2024.102759. PMID: 39383662.
  • St. Sauveur R, Sufra R, Jean Pierre MC, Rouzier V, Preval F, Exantus S, Jean M, Jean J, Forestal GP, Fleurijean O, Mourra N, Ogyu A, Malebranche R, Brisma JP, Deschamps MM, Pape JW, Sundararajan R, McNairy ML, Yan LD. Effectiveness of community-based hypertension management on hypertension in the urban slums of Haiti: A mixed methods study. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2024 Oct;26(10):1133-1144. doi: 10.1111/jch.14882. PMID: 39150035; PMCID: PMC11466359.
  • Sundararajan R, §Hooda M, Lai Y, Nansera D, Audet C, Downs J, Lee MH, McNairy M, Muyindike W, Mwanga-Amumpaire J. Traditional healer support to improve HIV viral suppression in rural Uganda (Omuyambi): study protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Trials. 2024 Jul 1;25(1):430. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08286-4. PMID: 38956628; PMCID: PMC11218186.
  • Cordeiro AA, Walsh KF, Sundararajan R, Reif LK, McNairy M, Mathad J, Downs JA, Fahme SA. The Female Global Scholars Program: A mixed-methods evaluation of a novel intervention to promote the retention and advancement of women in global health research. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024 May 28;4(5):e0002974. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002974. PMID: 38805417; PMCID: PMC11132512.
  • Appel G, Han BH, Re’Em Y, Louka C, Sundararajan R, Tom A, An A, Difede J, Avery JD, Zaidi SR. Omission and Commission in Morally Injurious Experiences Among COVID-19 Health Care Professionals. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2024 Feb 27;26(1):23m03651. doi: 10.4088/PCC.23m03651. PMID: 38442032.
  • §Chebrolu P, Chalem A, §Ponticiello M, Broderick K, §Vaidyanathan A, §Lorenc R, Kulkarni V, Onawale A, Mathad JS, Sundararajan R. A community health worker-led program to improve access to gestational diabetes screening in urban slums of Pune, India: Results from a mixed methods study. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Oct 27;3(10):e0001622. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001622. PMID: 37889879; PMCID: PMC10610081.
  • Byansi W, Galvin M, Chiwaye L, Luvuno Z, Kim AW, Sundararajan R, Tsai AC, Moolla A. Adverse childhood experiences, traumatic events, and mental health among adults at two outpatient psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 10;23(1):581. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-05085-0. PMID: 37563695; PMCID: PMC10413614.
  • Sundararajan R, §Ponticiello M, §Birch G, Nuwugaba G, Alaiku A, Nansera D, Mwanga-Amumpaire J, Muyindike W. Adaption and pilot testing of a lay HIV supporter program for traditional healers: a mixed methods study in rural Uganda. Implement Sci Commun 4, 87 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-023-00469-5.
  • Kisigo GA, Mgeta F, Mcharo O, Okello E, Wajanga B, Kalokola F, Mtui G, Sundararajan R, Peck RN. Peer Counselor Intervention for Reducing Mortality and/or Hospitalization in Adults With Hypertensive Urgency in Tanzania: A Pilot Study. Am J Hypertens. 2023 Jul 14;36(8):446-454. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpad037. PMID: 37086189; PMCID: PMC10345467.
  • §Ponticiello M, Nuwagira E, Tayebwa M, Mugerwa J, Nahabwe H, Nakasita C, Tumuhimbise JB, Lam NL, Wiens MO, Vallarino J, Allen JG, Muyanja D, Tsai AC, Lai PS, Sundararajan R. “If you have light, your heart will be at peace”: A qualitative study of household lighting and social integration in southwestern Uganda. J Glob Health. 2023 Apr 14;13:04026. doi: 10.7189/jogh.13.04026. PMID: 37052216; PMCID: PMC10099441.
  • Sundararajan R, §Alakiu R, §Ponticiello M, §Birch G, Kisigo G, Okello E, Peck R. Understanding traditional healer utilization for hypertension care using the Andersen Model: A qualitative study in Mwanza, Tanzania. Glob Public Health. 2023 Jan;18(1):2191687. doi: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2191687. PMID: 36973183; PMCID: PMC10065353.
  • §Broderick K, Aristide C, Bullington BW, Downs JA, Sundararajan R. Stigma of infidelity associated with condom use explains low rates of condom uptake in eastern Africa: qualitative data from Uganda and Tanzania. Reproductive Health. 2023 Jan 11;20(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s12978-023-01563-6. PMID: 36631809; PMCID: PMC9832812.

Research

Funding awarded