Dr. Ramaiah has over 30 years of experience in vector-borne disease control working with the Indian Council of Medical Research’s Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) in Pondicherry, India from 1980-2012. During his time at VCRC he completed his PhD from the University of Pondicherry focused on the transmission dynamics of lymphatic filariasis (LF). His work on collaborative research projects with WHO TDR has contributed greatly to the global evidence base for: evaluating impact of mass drug administration on infection and transmission, methods of LF surveillance, the social and economic impact of LF, and the global burden of disease due to LF. The outcomes of his work have resulted in a total of 70 publications.
Dr. Ramaiah has also worked with WHO in Geneva and the Western Pacific Regional office as well as RTI International providing technical support to over 13 national LF elimination programs. He understands all aspects of LF elimination program development implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. He has recently served on the Regional Dossier Review Group of the South East Asia Regional Office of WHO to critically assess elimination dossiers submitted and advise WHO on whether or not to validate the claims of achieving elimination of LF as a public health problem.