Dr. Cherian Varghese
Professor and Director, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Dr. Cherian Varghese is Professor and Director of the Prasanna School of Public Health at Manipal Academy of Higher Education. His career spans public health leadership, noncommunicable disease prevention and control, cancer epidemiology, and health-systems development.
Academic Background
Dr. Varghese completed his MBBS at the University of Kerala, followed by a Diploma in Medical Radiotherapy and an MD in Radiation Oncology at Christian Medical College, Vellore. He also holds an MPhil in Epidemiology from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Medicine (Epidemiology) from the University of Tampere.
Public Health Leadership
Before joining MAHE, Dr. Varghese served the World Health Organization for more than two decades in India, the Philippines, Fiji, and Geneva. His roles included coordinating work on noncommunicable diseases and their determinants and contributing to integrated NCD management and health-system strengthening.
Research and Contributions
His work has included cancer epidemiology and early-detection programmes, the WHO HEARTS technical package, primary-care approaches to noncommunicable diseases, and global initiatives for cervical cancer, diabetes, and childhood cancer.
Research and Publications
Dr. Varghese has authored more than 90 publications. His contributions to public health have also been recognised through fellowships and awards, including the WHO Regional Director’s Award for Excellence in 2023.