Dr Jai Kumar Das
Transforming Global Health through Evidence and Collaboration
Dr Jai K. Das is an internationally recognized public health researcher and academic whose work has reshaped global understanding of women's and children's health, nutrition, and well-being. He serves as Associate Professor (Research) in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University (AKU)'s Medical College, and as Associate Director at the University's Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD).
A physician by training, Dr Das holds a PhD in Population and Public Health from AKU, along with degrees in medicine and business administration from leading institutions in Karachi. His multidisciplinary background underpins his diverse research portfolio, spanning maternal and child nutrition, adolescent health, social determinants of health, and the intersection of climate change, agriculture, and food security.
With over 280 publications and 48,000 citations, Dr Das's scholarship continues to influence global policy and practice. His international recognition includes being named among Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers in the years 2023 and 2024 — placing him in the top 0.1% of scientists worldwide—and among the world's top 2% most-cited researchers by Stanford University. Research.com ranked him Pakistan's #1 Scientist in Social Sciences and Humanities.
Dr Das leads efforts to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in healthcare. His contributions to multiple World Health Organization (WHO) task forces and working groups—covering childhood infection, nutrition, and vaccine policy—have advanced global health guidance and practice. In his capacity as Coordinator for Global Mother and Child Research under The Global Health Network at Oxford University, he promotes interdisciplinary research and collaborative science worldwide.
Dedicated to building research capacity, Dr Das mentors early-career investigators, serves on AKU's Ethical Review Committee, and continues to champion research that delivers equitable, lasting improvements in health outcomes across low- and middle-income countries. His work embodies AKU's mission of using knowledge and innovation to transform lives.
