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MSc Sharan Kuganesan

Sharan Kuganesan, MSc, is a Program Manager for Global Tobacco Control and STOP at Vital Strategies, a global public health organization.12 She has a diverse background in global health and a strong commitment to tobacco control initiatives.

Background and Education

Sharan grew up in Toronto, Canada, in a Tamil family with roots in Sri Lanka.1 She is fluent in Tamil and was exposed to various cultures during her upbringing.1 Sharan holds a Master of Science in Global Health from McMaster University and a double major in Biology and Global Development Studies from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.1

Professional Experience

Sharan's career in global health began with research roles at various institutions:

  • Research Analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada1
  • Conducted thesis research on mobile mental health clinics in Karnataka, India1
  • HIV/AIDS Quality Improvement Specialist and Global Health Corps Fellow at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene1

In 2018, Sharan joined Vital Strategies and was one of the first people hired to work on STOP, the organization's tobacco industry watchdog.1 Her role involves:

  • Managing the flow of her team and its various outputs
  • Coordinating with project partners
  • Working with Vital's tobacco control teams in 11 countries1

Contributions to Tobacco Control

At Vital Strategies, Sharan contributes to several tobacco control initiatives:

  • STOP: Exposes and counters tobacco industry tactics3
  • Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use Grants Program3
  • Tobacco Enforcement and Reporting Movement (TERM): An AI-powered system tracking tobacco marketing3

Sharan has written advocacy reports, conducted user experience studies, and contributed to website development for these projects.1 She is particularly proud of campaigns like "Dirty Money," which expose corrupt practices of tobacco companies in Africa.1

Personal Interests

Outside of work, Sharan enjoys painting, exploring New York City, and traveling internationally.1 She has set a goal of visiting 30 countries by the time she turns 30.1

Sharan Kuganesan's work at Vital Strategies reflects her passion for global health and her commitment to combating the tobacco industry's harmful practices worldwide.

Highlights

20 Years of Global Tobacco Control: Progress Achieved Despite ...
Oct 8 · cntraveler.com
Sharan Kuganesan Latest Articles - Condé Nast Traveler
Where We Work in Tobacco Control - Vital Strategies
Our Team - Vital Strategies
Tobacco Control Initiatives - Vital Strategies
Sharan Kuganesan, Program Manager, Global Tobacco Control and ...
Sharan Kuganesan, Program Manager, Global Tobacco Control and ...
Mar 8 · blogs.bmj.com
The Tobacco Enforcement Reporting Movement (TERM) - BMJ Blogs
Vital People Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Vital Strategies
Vital People Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Vital Strategies

Related Questions

What inspired Sharan Kuganesan to pursue a career in global health?
How has Sharan's multicultural upbringing influenced her work in global health?
What are some of the key achievements of the STOP program under Sharan's management?
How does Sharan's work at Vital Strategies impact tobacco control policies globally?
What challenges does Sharan face in her role as a program manager for tobacco control?
MSc Sharan Kuganesan
MSc Sharan Kuganesan, photo 1
MSc Sharan Kuganesan, photo 2
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Location

New York City Metropolitan Area