Saravanan Thangarajan
Saravanan Thangarajan is a global health leader and climate advocate pursuing a Master of Medical Science in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School. His work focuses on the intersection of climate change, public health, and sustainability, particularly the effects of air pollution and heat stress on maternal mental health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Through his research, Saravanan is developing solutions that promote climate resilience and equitable healthcare.
Before transitioning to public health, Saravanan served as an Assistant Professor for seven years, mentoring students and advancing healthcare education. His academic background laid the foundation for his work in global health and sustainability. Saravanan has led major initiatives, including partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Health to integrate climate science into medical curricula, impacting over 12,000 students. He spearheaded healthcare reforms across LMICs, reducing maternal and child mortality by 1.11% and improving healthcare efficiency by 45%. His leadership in the Tele-MANAS initiative enhanced mental health outcomes by 30%, providing critical services to high-risk populations.
As Fellowship Director for MHF Global Team Leaders, Saravanan mentored young professionals and built international partnerships to foster global health leadership. He also serves as an Editorial Peer Reviewer for leading journals, improving publication standards for over 150,000 professionals worldwide. In his role as an Advisory Board Member for the Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration Association, Saravanan guides efforts to raise awareness and improve treatment protocols for this rare disease. As a Diversity & Inclusion Regional Community Ambassador for the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, he increased diverse representation in climate advocacy by 15%, collaborating with over 25 groups to promote inclusivity.
Saravanan has received the William E. Braden Fund Research Award and the Caswell A. Evans Population Oral Health Award. In his free time, he uses art to advocate for mental health awareness.
The Salata Institute
The Salata Institute supports interdisciplinary research that leads to real-world action, including high-risk/high-reward projects by researchers already working in the climate area and new endeavors that make it easier for Harvard scholars, who have not worked on climate problems, to do so. Faculty interested in the Climate Research Clusters program should note an upcoming deadline for concepts on April 1, 2024.