Prof Sonia Saxena, Imperial College London

I am the UK's first Asian female Professor of Primary Care, appointed in 2017 and Director of the Imperial Child Health Unit at the School of Public Health, Imperial College London since 2012. The aims of my research are to improve child health and reduce inequalities by strengthening the evidence base for primary care and public health.

Research
I lead the Child Population Health Theme for the NIHR Northwest London Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) and a national work programme for the NIHR School for Public Health Research 'Harnessing data for Child Health'

As elected President of the Child and Adolescent Health Section of the European Public Health Association, I lead a network of 3000 health professionals in a 3 year strategic plan to achieve a WHO 'Triple A rating (Analysis Advocacy Action) to improve children's health in Europe (2021-2024). I am a Global Burden of Disease Collaborator, BMJ International Editorial Board Member and Visiting Professor in Europe, Asia and North America

priority areas
Primary care; preconception pregnancy and parenthood

Early years; infection and vaccine preventable disease, urgent care

Health in education; physical and emotional health in schools, IMprOVE cohort

Health of young people; asthma, mental health, inflammatory bowel disease

Teaching
I lead the Child Health Specialisation for Imperial's online Global Masters in Public Health and teach on the Imperial Medical Undergraduate course. I am committed to building academic capacity and widening opportunities in primary care and public health at Imperial (promotions champion and mentor), Oxford International Primary Care Research Leadership Programme.

CLINICAL
I have been a practising GP in Putney, London since 1995. All of my research stems from encounters with patients and the public.