Dr. Praveen Kulkarni, working as Scientist E (Medical) at ICMR-NICHR is a public health professional with extensive experience in the fields of epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical research, and community-based interventional studies. He has been actively involved in a broad range of research activities encompassing descriptive studies, implementation research, and multicentric clinical trials, supported by various national and international funding agencies. He has served as the Principal Investigator for Phase II and Phase III vaccine clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing significantly to evidence generation on vaccine safety and immunogenicity. His research contributions span both communicable and non-communicable diseases, with his current areas of focus including child growth, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases among the paediatric population. Dr. Kulkarni is a Fellow of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) and an alumnus of the Leadership and Management Programme conducted by INCLEN Trust and IIHMR, New Delhi. He has been conferred with several recognitions, including the Young Scientist Award, Best Reviewer Award, and the Presidential Appreciation Award for his contributions to the field of community medicine. He has published more than 180 research papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals of repute, reflecting his sustained commitment to advancing child health research and public health practice.