Dr. Mehak Batra | Climate Change | Best Researcher Award

Associate Lecturer at Latrobe University, Australia

Mehak Batra is an accomplished academic and researcher in public health, currently serving as an Associate Lecturer at La Trobe University. With a strong foundation in dentistry and a deep passion for epidemiology and biostatistics, she has transitioned seamlessly into public health research. Over the years, she has developed significant expertise in maternal and child health, asthma, environmental exposure, and health inequalities. Her work spans both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and she is well-regarded for her analytical depth, collaborative spirit, and commitment to public health outcomes.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Mehak Batra’s educational trajectory highlights a blend of clinical and public health knowledge. She earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the I.T.S Centre for Dental Studies & Research (2004–2008), followed by a Master of Dental Surgery in Public Health Dentistry from PAHER, India (2010–2013), where she completed a thesis on the relationship between oral conditions and daily performance in young adults. She later pursued a Master of Public Health at La Trobe University, where she completed key coursework in program evaluation and social perspectives in public health. Her academic journey culminated with a Ph.D. in Public Health (2023) from La Trobe University, where she investigated the public health implications of thunderstorm asthma under the guidance of Prof. Bircan Erbas.

Experience

Mehak’s career has been dynamic and interdisciplinary. Beginning as a researcher at the Pacific Academy of Higher Education and Research University (2011–2018), she conducted field and laboratory studies, mentored postgraduate students, and contributed to curriculum development. From 2018 to 2020, she worked as a Research Assistant at La Trobe University, where she specialized in biostatistical analyses and developed academic modules for postgraduate health courses. Her academic path continued as a Casual Tutor from 2019, where she led workshops in epidemiology and health education. Since 2020, she has been an Associate Lecturer at La Trobe University, combining teaching, mentoring, and impactful public health research.

Research Interest

Her research interests lie at the intersection of public health, environmental epidemiology, maternal and child health, and immigrant health disparities. She is particularly focused on the health outcomes of vulnerable populations, including culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups. Mehak has explored themes such as the health impact of pollen exposure, maternal iron supplementation, asthma readmissions, and diabetes self-management among immigrant communities. Her scholarly work reflects a strong emphasis on data-driven public health strategies, systemic reviews, and health education. She also supervises postgraduate research on antenatal care and health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Award

Throughout her career, Mehak has been recognized for her academic and professional contributions. Notably, she has presented her work at several national and international forums, including the CAPHIA Teaching and Learning Forum (2023), the International Conference on Dentistry and Oral Health in Rome (2018), and multiple dental public health conferences in India. Her Ph.D. research on thunderstorm asthma has gained attention in both academic and clinical settings, underscoring her role as a thought leader in environmental health risk analysis. Additionally, she has actively contributed to advancing teaching excellence through curriculum enhancement and mentoring.

Publication

Mehak Batra has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. Selected recent works include:

Batra M et al. (2024). “Comparing spiritual wellbeing and illness perceptions between cancer patients from culturally and linguistically diverse and those from mainstream backgrounds in Australia.” Support Care Cancer, 32(12):823.

Bekele Y, Batra M et al. (2024). “Is Oral Iron and Folate Supplementation during Pregnancy Protective against Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth in Africa? A Systematic Review.” Nutrients, 16(16):2801.

Althubyani AN, Batra M et al. (2024). “Barriers and Enablers of Diabetes Self-Management Strategies Among Arabic-Speaking Immigrants.” J Immigr Minor Health, 26(4):761–774.

Batra M et al. (2022). “Grass pollen exposure is associated with higher readmission rates for pediatric asthma.” Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 33(11):e13880.

Batra M et al. (2022). “Asthma Hospital Admission and Readmission Spikes.” Diagnostics (Basel), 12(10):2445.

Batra M et al. (2022). “Outdoor Environmental Exposure on Readmission Rates for Children with Asthma – A Systematic Review.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(12):7457.

Batra M et al. (2019). “Oral Health Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices of South Asian Migrants.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, 16(11):1952.

These publications have been cited across disciplines, particularly in studies related to pediatric health, immigrant health disparities, and environmental exposure.

Conclusion

Dr. Mehak Batra stands out as a passionate public health academic with a multidisciplinary background in dentistry, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Her research reflects a commitment to improving health outcomes for underrepresented communities through evidence-based interventions and systemic analysis. She continues to impact public health education through innovative teaching and mentoring, while her research contributions address pressing global health challenges such as maternal nutrition, asthma, and chronic disease management in immigrant populations. Her ongoing projects and supervision roles highlight her growing influence in shaping future public health scholarship.