Dr. Purnima Madhivanan, an infectious disease epidemiologist, is an associate professor and the director of the Epidemiology Ph.D. Program. Her research has focused on disadvantaged populations, elucidating the dynamics of poverty, gender, and the social environmental determinants of health in the global arena. Dr. Madhivanan serves as an advisor to a number of state departments of public health, non-profit, as well as governmental research organizations. In 2007, she received the prestigious International Leadership Award from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation for her work on prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV. Her current research focuses on health inequities and women’s health across their lifespans.