Dr.Aswathy S., Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Amrita School of Medicine, won an International Award from the Asian Collaboration for Excellence in Non-communicable Disease (ASCEND) group for her editorial on Peer Support as a Strategy for Effective Management of Diabetes in India, published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. ASCEND provides high quality research training to early career researchers and health professionals from countries in Asia.  

Monash University, Australia and its institutional partners in USA, India (Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram) and Malaysia (Monash University) funded by Fogarty International Center, NIH, USA undertook a program to deliver research training and capacity building in Asia. Dr. Aswathy was selected for this 18-month fellowship program.   

The program was aimed to strengthen research capacity and build a regional network of researchers who will lead research in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases. During this period, she explored the role of low cost innovative solutions in managing diabetes – like peer support and yoga. She also received a research grant from Peers for Progress, North Carolina, USA to undertake the study on the effectiveness of yoga and peer support among women with type 2 diabetes.  

In prior to this, Dr. Aswathy has also participated in training programs by ASCEND in Malaysia and Sri Lanka. As a public health specialist, Dr. Aswathy’s interests include working to create innovative and cost effective solutions for non-communicable diseases in the community. She has several national and international publications to her credit.  

January 30, 2014 

School of Medicine, Kochi