Fellowships, internships and Health Immersion programs

Fellowship

research projects For pre and post-Doctoral fellows

PHRII hosts pre- and post-doctoral fellows from around the world, serving as an NIH-recognized training site for global health research. Our fellowships offer early-career researchers the opportunity to address critical health challenges affecting vulnerable populations in low-resource settings. Notable fellowships conducted at PHRII include the NIH Global Health Emerging Scholars Program, Global Infectious Diseases Fellowship, Global Health California Fellowship (GloCal), and the Banyan Impact Fellowship.

internships

research projects For undergraduate and postgraduate studenTs

PHRII offers 12-week internship programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students from across India and around the world. Interns engage in innovative short-term projects or contribute to ongoing research initiatives at PHRII. To date, we have hosted over 100 fellows and interns. Our internships, available in both in-person and virtual formats, span a range of focus areas, including laboratory-based biomedical research, clinical studies, and field-based public health projects.

Intern Blogs

HEALTH IMMERSION programmeS

learning experience for high school and undergraduate students

PHRII’s Global Health Study Abroad program provides a distinctive learning experience that integrates public health education with exposure to India’s traditional medical systems, including Ayurveda, Naturopathy, and Unani. Participants gain insights into the public health infrastructure and research methods while engaging in cultural immersion activities such as art, culinary experiences, and visits to historical landmarks.

High School
Study Abroad Programme

undergraduate
Study Abroad Programme

Testimonials

  • Anjali rao

    Before I traveled to India to complete the PHRII internship, I feel that I was very unaware of major health-related problems that occur in India and even the world in general. Throughout our internship, I learned so much, from different aspects of biodiversity to the screening process for cervical cancer. My experience at PHRII made me realize that there are so many different problems in the world that need fixing. However, having known the PHRII staff, I know that there are people in this world that are working hard to fix these problems, and I hope to as well some day.

  • Jordan Daniel

    My experience at PHRII was a once in a lifetime opportunity that taught me many aspects of public health in India. It opened my eyes to how different healthcare is in India compared to the U.S. PHRII gave us interesting lectures, interactive projects, and fun field trips that helped me and our group understand the healthcare struggles and limitations in India. The PHRII staff were very friendly and willing to help us with whatever we needed and was overall a wonderful experience.

  • Ayana Rao

    The PHRII experience was both enlightening and unforgettable, offering unique opportunities that are hard to come by in the U.S. We were exposed to in various aspects of the healthcare system in India and learned about a large range of topics directly from experts in the field. The connections I formed with the staff and fellow PHRII students are invaluable and will stay with me for a lifetime. Throughout the program, I felt safe, engaged, and truly enjoyed every moment.

  • Jonathan Daniel

    My experience at PHRII was truly amazing; the staff was very friendly and helpful. The projects and lectures provided us with in-depth information that transformed my perspective on global healthcare and challenges. Our field trips in India offered firsthand insight into the country's experience of India's health care system and how it is different from the U.S. health care system and the unique challenges of these communities. Ultimately, my experience at PHRII was very valuable and fun.

  • Aarohi Shah

    Before last summer I didn’t know a lot about how health systems worked in other countries and how more populated countries handled serious medical issues. During the internship I learned so much about how the Indian public health system works to reach everyone and the efforts to prevent cervical cancer. PHRII taught me so many things including how solving problems are best done when you look at it through the eyes of those it affects.

  • Pavleena Madhivanan

    1. Lived experience when enjoying every moment of life how young I was

    2. Indian culture is based on respect for elders, family unity, honesty, and hard working to be a better person

  • Tanvi Chinahalli

    My experience with PHRII was a combination of learning and fun. It provided me with the opportunity to be around and learn from professionals who played a key role in raising awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of administering HPV vaccines. It was an eye-opener as I visited numerous allopathic and Ayurvedic hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and rural communities. I got to learn more about the culture, healthcare, and life experiences of women in rural areas as well as the positive impacts of raising awareness in these settings and addressing mental health issues as it played a significant role in Indian society. The staff at PHRII truly made this a worthwhile experience!

intern Projects

Our interns/fellows over the past years have ranged from undergraduates to MSWs, MDs and PhDs, in addition to our internship and volunteer opportunities that accepts a wide variety of majors and interests.

2024

Sanchi Subiah: Biology Major and Anthropology Minor, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States. A detailed look into her experience can be found at https://ssubiah.wixsite.com/sanchiphriiresearch

2021

Avni Anand: BS Biomedicine, The University of Melbourne, Australia, 2021; Krupa project, Systematic Review - HPV vaccinations, COVID PowerPoint Preparation and Adolescent Qualitative Study Data Analysis.

Vasuda Kapoor: MS Biochemistry and Global Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, 2021; Voluntary Work - worked on all projects available at that time.

2020

Ayushi Bommireddipalli: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California - Los Angeles, USA, 2020; “ANC Challenges Faced During Lockdown” article.

Isha Agrawal: BS Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (BVSc & A.H.), College of Veterinary Science, DUVASU, Mathura, 2020; Literature Review - Author Nationality and Representation of Authors in COVID-19.

Jenisa Ramprasad: Undergraduate, 3rd year Biotechnology, Amity University, 2020; Literature Review - Gender Representation in Academic Authorship during COVID-19.

Tanvi Kaur Ahuja: BS Dental Surgery (BDS), Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, 2020; HPV Oral Microbiome Study - Rural.

2019

Madison Shine: Graduate, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA, 2019; Evaluation of the Correlation between Herpes Simplex Virus-2 Infection and Adverse Birth Outcomes among Rural Pregnant Women in Mysore District, India.

Kim Yen Nguyen: Undergraduate, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA, 2019; The Effect of Smokeless Tobacco on the Oral Microbiome and HPV Infection among Women in Mysore, India.

Krupa Modi: Graduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2019; FGDs with Adolescent Children 14-16, Boys and Girls and their Mothers, Kisalaya Villages.

Ruhika Prasad: Graduate, Emory University, USA, 2019; IDI Community Mental Health Providers, part of Dr. Lesley’s Phase II Study.

Alyssa Jeffers: Graduate, MPH, University of Colorado, USA 2019; Evaluation of Cervical Screening Program Focusing on Quality Improvement in Mysore, India.

Rishika Gupta: Graduate, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India, 2019; Voluntary Work in The Epidemiology of Hepitits C Infection and Risk Factors among Long-Distance Truck Drivers in Mysore, India.

Hector: Undergraduate, Florida International University, Miami, USA, 2019; Identifying Sexual Health Perceptions and Social Network Needs of Hijada in Mysore, India.

2018

Ani Steele: Undergraduate, Biomedical Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, UK, 2018; Voluntary work in Oral Microbiome Study and VIA Project.

Lizari Garcia: Undergraduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2018; Voluntary work in Oral Microbiome Study and VIA Project.

Brenda Rodriguez: Undergraduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2018; Voluntary work in Oral Microbiome Study and VIA Project.

Aster Workineh: Graduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2018; Voluntary work in The Effect of Smokeless Tobacco on the Oral Microbiome and HPV Infection among Women in Mysore, India.

Nitin Chetla: Undergraduate, Virginia Tech College, USA, 2018; Voluntary work in Mera Dil Study and Oral Microbiome Study.

2017

Jeanna Laurent: Graduate, Florida International University, Miami, USA, 2017; Voluntary Work in Influence of Postnatal Mental Health on Mother-Infant Relationship in Rural India: A Pilot Exploratory Study using Mixed Method.

Holly Nishimura: Graduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2017; Acceptability and Accuracy of Self- and Physician-collected Specimens for HPV Testing in Mysore District, Karnataka, India.

Erika Sarmiento Canales: Graduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2017; Social and Environmental Influences on Wellbeing of HIV-positive Mothers and their HIV-negative children in Mysore District, Karnataka, India.

 2016

Tulsi Patel: Undergraduate, Columbia University, USA, 2016; Voluntary Work in Lactobacillus Project, SCIL-HR Project and VIA Project.

Milani Kyaw: Undergraduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2016; Voluntary Work in Lactobacillus Project, SCIL-HR Project and VIA Project.

Abida Khan: Undergraduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2016; Voluntary Work in Lactobacillus Project, SCIL-HR Project and VIA Project (Contraceptive Short Project SCIL-HR).

2015

Ines Lin: Graduate, University of Southampton, UK, 2015; Voluntary work in Cervical Cancer Screening Program using Gynocular.

Roshan Nebhrajani: Undergraduate, Florida International University, Miami, 2015; Voluntary work in SCIL and SCIL-HR project and Website and Data Entry.

Annie Yau: Graduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2015; Evaluation of Relaxin as a Prognositc Marker for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnant Indian Women: A Pilot Study.

Tirajeh Zohourian: Medical Student, Florida International University, Miami, USA, 2015; Voluntary work in Relaxin Study.

Noah Kojima: Graduate, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA, 2015; Sexually Transmitted Infections and Adverse Birth and Infant Outcomes among Pregnant Women in Rural Southern India.

Caitlyn Placek: PhD Candidate, Washington State University, USA, 2015; Exploring Diet in Pregnancy: An Investigation of Food Avoidance and Cravings in Mysore District, Karnataka, India.

2014

Julien Rohan Thomas: Undergraduate, Florida International University, Miami, USA, 2014; Voluntary work in SCIL Project.

Gaelle Brun Cottan: Undergraduate, Florida International University, Miami, USA, 2014; Voluntary work in SCIL Project.

Vania Wang: Undergraduate, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2014; Voluntary work as Student Investigator in Quantified Blood Antioxidant Levels in Normal Human Controls, Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus, Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and Patients with both Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis using Molecular Techniques.

Dwijavanthi Kumar: Undergraduate, Iowa University, USA, 2014; The Barriers to Accessing Healthcare Services among Tribal and Lower caste women in Mysore, India - A Qualitative Study.

Tyler Lawrence: BA/BS University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2014; Voluntary work in SCIL project.

2013

Corey Saraceni: MD 2nd Year, Florida International University, Miami, USA, 2013; Voluntary work in SCIL project, Dental check-up for school children.

Alexander Pop: MD 2nd year, Florida International University, Miami, USA, 2013; Voluntary work in SCIL project, Eye check-up for school children.

Michael Picetti: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2013; The Incidence and Genetic Elements Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolates from Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in South India.

Jasmina Krikilon: MD 3rd year, University of Hasselt, Belgium, 2013; Voluntary work in SCIL project.

Jonas Massa: MD 3rd year, University of Hasselt, Belgium, 2013; Voluntary work in SCIL project.

Kim Gysen: MD 3rd year, University of Hasselt, Belgium, 2013; Voluntary work in SCIL project.

Sara Hannes: MD 3rd year, University of Hasselt, Belgium, 2013; Voluntary work in SCIL project.

2012

Amy Hershberger: Undergraduate, University of California, USA, 2012; Voluntary work UTI and SCIL Project.

Alnecia Rhumps: PhD candidate, Florida International University, USA, 2012; Voluntary work in "Characterization of culturable vaginal Lactobacillus species among pregnant women in Mysore, India" Project.

Shane Mchnally: MPH; University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2012; The Incidence and Genetic Elements Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia Coli Isolates from Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in South India.

Jill Saberman: Nurse Practitioner, 2012; Voluntary Work in SCIL Project and VIA project.

2011

Jill Watt: BA, Stanford University, USA, 2011; Voluntary Work in SCIL project.

Lilly Muldoon: MD 3rd Year, University of California, San Francisco, USA, 2011; Stool Examination for helminth and malaria screening in SCIL project.

Christopher Sanchez: MD 3rd Year, University of California, San Francisco, USA, 2011; Stool Examination for helminth and malaria screening in SCIL project.

Amelia Wallace: MPH University of California, Berkeley, 2011; The Incidence and Genetic Elements Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia Coli Isolates from Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in South India.

Megan Ryan: MD 3rd Year, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA, 2011; Vitamin D Deficiency test among pregnant women in SCIL project.

Nader Hakim: BA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, 2011; A Descriptive Study of Attitudes Regarding Reproductive Health and Hygiene among Youth and Young Adults in Mysore.

2010

Heather Cohen: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2010; Voluntary Work in VIA Project.

Hayley Miller: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2010; Voluntary Work in VIA Project.

Vanessa Newton: MD 3rd Year, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA 2010; Voluntary Work in Kisalaya Project.

Yanni Chang: BA, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2010; Voluntary Work in “Joint US-India study of Lactobacillus and its Phages in Bacterial Vaginosis” project.

Pooja Jaleel: BA, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2010; Voluntary Work in “Joint US-India study of Lactobacillus and its Phages in Bacterial Vaginosis” project.

Neesha Mody: BA, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2010; Voluntary Work in “Joint US-India study of Lactobacillus and its Phages in Bacterial Vaginosis” project.

2009

Julia Selevaza: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2009; Evaluation of a Simple Point-of-Care Rapid Test for Detecting Bacterial Vaginalis Among Women in Mysore, India.

Jenna Nakagawa: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2009-10; Voluntary Work in “Joint US-India Study of Lactobacillus and its Phages in Bacterial Vaginosis” project.

Stephanie Tremall: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2009; Evaluation of a Simple Point-of-Care Rapid Test for Detecting Trichomonas Vaginalis Among Women in Mysore, India.

Aaron Bochner: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2009; The Epidemiology of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 Infections Among Pregnant Women in Rural Mysore, India.

Amy Penn: BA/BS, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2009; Voluntary Work at JSS Hospital.

Karuna Chibber: Dr/PH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2007-09.

2008

Naomi Garland: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2008.

Eva Rapael: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2008-10; Voluntary Work in “Joint US-India Study of Lactobacillus and its Phages in Bacterial Vaginosis” project.

Sarah Gertler: Medical Student at University of California, San Francisco, USA, 2008; “Voluntary Work in “Alemari and Kisalaya Project”.

Paul Adamson: MPH, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2008; Traditional Birth Attendant - Mapping and Training on PPTCT.

Alexandra H. Freeman: San Francisco Department of Public Health, USA, 2008.

Thomas Butler: MD 3rd Year, University of California, Davis, USA, 2008.

2007

Meera Sridhar: MD 3rd Year, Stanford University, USA, 2007.

Victoria Parikh: MD 3rd Year, Stanford University, USA, 2007.

Anne Erickson: BA/BS, Stanford University, USA, 2005-09; HPV Peers Training