Team IIHMR
Dr. Ratika Samtani
Assistant Professor
Ratika Samtani is a Ph.D. in Anthropology from University of Delhi and was awarded the Teaching Fellowship by University of Delhi while pursuing her research. She has also cleared UGC-NET.
Ratika worked as an Assistant Professor at Amity University, Noida for a span of ten years. She was also awarded the Young Investigators award by Department of Biotechnology for her project proposal in the field of Cancer Biology. Under this, she was the Principal Investigator of the DBT funded project, “Screening and Epigenetic Profiling of Ovarian Cancer in Malwa region of Punjab” for a span of four years. She has supervised and mentored a number of doctoral students’ scholars in their research endeavors.
Ratika has carried out a number of research projects and published articles in the area of environmental health, pesticide toxicity, cancer epigenetics, infectious diseases, bio-social determinants of health, genetics of complex disorders, beta thalassemia, sickle cell anemia etc. She has published more than 25 research articles in national and international journals of repute and has presented papers in various National and International Conferences. She has also developed e-content modules for online learning platforms like e-pg pathshala and e-gyan kosh.
Ratika also held the position of Manager-Learning and Development at NatureNurture Eduserv, where she created curriculum using a variety of pedagogical approaches (such as Bloom's taxonomy, the Theory of Cognitive Development by Jean Piaget, Howard Gardner's Model of Multiple Intelligences, and 21st century skills).
Research Projects
Name of Project |
Role in the Project |
Year |
Agency |
Assessing Climate Change
Risk, Vulnerability, and Adaptation among Tribal Communities in India: An
Exploratory Study on Indigenous Knowledge and Resilience
|
Principal Investigator
|
2025
|
ICMR
|
| Impact Study of Holistic Community-Based Health Interventions: Tracking Women's and Children's Health from Pre-conception to Four Years |
Co-investigator
|
2025
|
CINI
|
Pilot testing of the
Digital IMNCI training package and the Decision Support System tool for IMNCI
implementation
|
Co-investigator
|
2024-25
|
World Health Organization
(WHO) Country Office for India
|
| Epidemiological study to assess morbidities in the Bawana Region, New Delhi |
Co-Principal Investigator
|
May 2024- Sept 2024
|
OPJ
|
| Evaluating the Indian Healthcare Landscape to assess the drivers of Digital Health Policy Adoption, Implementation, and Impact of Healthcare Digitization: A Mixed Methods Study in Five Indian States | Co-Principal Investigator | Oct 2023-Nov 2024 | Johns Hopkins University |
| Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water in Various Locations of the National Capital Region, Delhi, India | Principal Investigator | April’ 2023-March 2024 | IIHMR Delhi |
| Strengthening the implementation of eSanjeevani Telemedicine Services in the state of Bihar. | Principal Investigator | 2023 | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| A study on Thalassemia Awareness, Screening and Counselling among Young Adults of Delhi and NCR (India) | Co-Investigator | 2022 | ICMR |
| Screening & Epigenetic Profiling of Ovarian Cancer in Malwa region ofPunjab, India | Principal Investigator | 2015-2019 | DBT |
Research Publications
1. Neogi S.B; Pagaria V, Dutta S, Yadav P, Bele N, Samtani R (2025): Scan and Share Service in India. Bulletin of the World Health Organization; Article ID: BLT.24.292828 (Impact factor: 12)
2. Samtani R. (2024). Analyzing dynamics of Extreme Weather Events (EWE) in India: unfolding trends through Statistical assessment of 50 years data (1970–2019), BMC Environmental Science DOI : 10.1186/s44329-024-00012-4 d13bf573-d4e2-434e-b589-94f36a8d0438 (Impact Factor: 3)
3. Samtani R, Mishra SS, Neogi SB (2024). Millets: Small Grains, Big Impact in Climate Action. Journal of Climate Change and Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100345 (Impact Factor: 1)
4. Deb , R., Sahai , R., Samtani, R., Mungreiphy, N., Sharma , K., Majumder, M., Arora , H., Dubey, A., Srivastava , H., & Awasthy , D. (2024). Knowledge Attitude Perception towards Artificial Intelligence and Robots among residents of Delhi: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Anthropology, 39(1/2), 29-45. https://doi.org/10.14673/IJA2024121116
5. Samtani R. (2023). Factors influencing the consumption of smoking and smokeless tobacco amongst the Khasi Indigenous People in Northeast India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine. 49(2):p 380-385, Mar–Apr 2024. | DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_924_22
6. Samtani R, Mishra SS, Neogi SB (2023). Millets: A Step Towards a Sustainable Future. 67/NCDC/NPCCHH/Capacity Building Reg. pp 88-95
7. Samtani R. (2023). Genetics of Male Genital Malformation; in book: 'Genes, Health and Anthropology’
8. Samtani R. (2023). Global DNA methylation profile in ovarian cancer patients. Indian Journal of Gynaecologic Oncology. 2023 Accepted https://doi.org/10.1007/s40944-023-00757-x (Impact Factor: 1)
9. Deb, Roumi, and Ratika Samtani. "Current Status of Beta Thalassemia in India." Anthropology of Health and Wellbeing: Essays in Honour of Professor PC Joshi (2022): 225.
10. Samtani R, Krishna K. (2021). Ace 2 and COVID-19: An Anthropological Perspective. Anthropol. Anz. –J. Biol. Clin. Anthropol. DOI: 10.1127/anthranz/2021/1327
11. Samtani R, Garg D, Sharma N, Deb R. (2020). Socio-demographic pattern of postmenopausal women and health issues: A study in rural Bathinda, Punjab. J Midlife Health 11(1):64-66 (Impact Factor: 1)
12. Samtani R*, Saksena D (2019). BRCA gene mutations: A population-based review. Gene Reports, volume 15 June, 100380 (Impact Factor: 1)
13. Deb R, Arora J, Samtani R, Saraswathy K.N, Kalla AK (2019). Role of PAX1 gene in the occurrence of human neural tube defects: a study in North Indian population Res Chron Dis 2(2), 01– 04 (Impact Factor: 2)
14. Sharma N, Deb R, Samtani R (2019). Level of Endosulfan among women of southern Punjab, India. Indian Journal of Public Health 63 (1):83-85 (Impact Factor: 1)
15. Samtani R. “Epigenetic Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Ovarian Cancer” Chapter in Book “Anthropology and Health” edited by Rashmi Sinha. (2019). Rawat Publications, New Delhi
16. Ratika Samtani. Unit: Australopithecus; Course: Fundamentals of Human Origin and Evolution; Block: Homo erectus to Modern Homo sapiens. Course Materials for BA (G) Anthropology, IGNOU; 2019
17. Samtani, R. & Deb, R (2018). Screening by CA125 and Transvaginal Ultrasound for Ovarian Cancer in Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study in Malwa Region of Punjab In J Gynecol Oncolog 16: 70. (I.F:1)
18. Deb R, Arora J, Samtani R et al. (2018). Folic acid, Dietary Habits, and Homocysteine levels in relation to Neural Tube Defects: A Case-Control study in North India. Birth Defects Research 110 (14): 1148-1152 (I.F: 3)
19. Samtani R, Sharma N (2018). Effects of Endocrine disrupting chemicals and epigenetic modifications in ovarian cancer: A Review. Reproductive sciences.2018 Jan;25(1):7-18.doi: 10.1177/1933719117711261 (I.F: 3)
20. Ratika Samtani. Unit-5 Subfields of Biological Anthropology; Block I: Understanding Biological Anthropology Course Materials for BA (G) Anthropology, IGNOU; 2018.
21. Ratika Samtani. “Unit 3: Footprints Course Materials for BA (G) Anthropology, IGNOU; Course: Understanding Forensic Science Through Anthropology Block: Dermatoglyphics in Forensic Anthropology (Published by School of Social Sciences, IGNOU, New Delhi). 2017
22. Sharma N, Deb R, Samtani R (2017). Toxicological profile of organochlorines Aldrin and Dieldrin: An Indian perspective. Reviews on Environmental Health. 32(4):361-372 (IMPACT FACTOR- 1.08; Cited by 1)
23. Samtani R. 2016 Autochthones and Peopling of India. Indian Anthropology. e-pathshala. MHRD inititaive
24. Samtani R*, Bajpai M, Ghosh PK, Saraswathy K.N (2015). A49T, R227Q, and TA repeat polymorphisms of steroid 5 alpha-reductase type II gene and Hypospadias risk in North Indian Children. Meta Gene. 3:1–7. DOI information: 10.1016/j.mgene.2014.11.003 (Impact Factor: 1)
25. Samtani R* (2014). Epigenetics and Autism: Insights for Future Research. OA Autism18;2(2):14
26. Samtani R, Kaur L, Ghosh P. K, Saraswathy K. N (2012). Simultaneous Detection of FVL and MTHFR (C677t) Mutations Using PCR-RFLP Method for Rapid Screening of Indian Populations’. International Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences. 2(2):267-270
27. Samtani R, Bajpai M, Ghosh PK, Saraswathy KN. Hypospadias Risk among North-Indian Children. AnnHealth& Health Sci 2014; 1(1): 61-64.
28. Deb R, Saxena S, Dubey A, Samtani R. (2013). Trends of smoking among Indian Youth, South Asian Anthropologist 13 (1):43-47
29. Samtani R, Bajpai M, Vashisht K, Ghosh PK, Saraswathy KN. (2011) Hypospadias risk and polymorphism in SRD5A2 and CYP17 genes: case-control study among Indian children. Journal of Urology. 185: 2334-2339. (International) {IMPACT FACTOR: 7}
30. Mondal PR, Saksena D, Sachdeva MP, Murry B, Meitei KH, Samtani R, Saraswathy KN. (2011) The Genomic similarities with linguistic difference: A Study among the Oraon and Munda tribes of the Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India. Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers, 15 (6):1-8. (International) {IMPACT FACTOR: 1.444}
31. Saraswathy KN, Asghar M, Samtani R, Murry B, Mondal PR, Ghosh PK, Sachdeva MP. (2011). Spectrum of MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C)-A study among 23 population groups of India. Molecular Biology Reports. 39(4):5025-31 (International) {IMPACT FACTOR: 2.506}
32. Samtani R, Bajpai M, Ghosh PK, Saraswathy KN. (2010) SRD5A2 gene mutations: A population-based review. Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews, 8(1):34-40. (International)
33. Sinha E, Walia GK, Mukhopadhyay R, Samtani R, Gupta BP, Ghosh PK, Saraswathy KN. (2010). Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism: An independent risk determinant of Coronary Artery Disease. E-SPEN, the European e-Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, doi:10.1016/j.eclnm.2010.07.005. (International)
34. Mondal, PR, Samtani R, Md.A, Achoubi N, Dasgupta S, Sachdeva MP, Saraswathy KN. (2010) Frequency Distribution Dynamics of Haptoglobin Polymorphism, Sickle Cell Hemoglobin and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency among Three Population Groups of Western India. The Asian Man, 4 (1):49-51. (National)
35. P. C. Joshi, K.N. Saraswathy, R. Kumar, R. Samtani, R. Joy, M. Dhall and P. K. Ghosh. Bio-cultural Diversity in a Village of Hamirpur District in Himachal Pradesh, UGC SAP Report, Department of Anthropology, Delhi University, Delhi, 2010.
36. Samtani R, Md. A, Walia GK, Saxena R, Saraswathy KN. (2009) B-thalassaemia among the Sindhi community in Delhi. National Medical Journal of India, 22 (6):334-335. (National)
37. Samtani R, Mondal PR, Saraswathy KN. (2008) Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Sickle cell haemoglobin among Warlis of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Anthropologist, 10(4): 301-303. (International)
38. Dasgupta S, Samtani R, Saraswathy KN. (2008) Haptoglobin polymorphism among Warlis of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Anthroplogist, 10(4): 315-316.(International)
Other Assignments
- Appointed as Evaluator for J&K Public Service Commission 2022
- Appointed as Evaluator for IGNOU-Delhi, Bhopal, Lucknow - Public Health Course 2022 2022
- Appointed as Evaluator for J&K Public Service Commission 2016
Papers/Chapters in Books
- Samtani R. (2023). Genetics of Male Genital Malformation; in book: 'Genes, Health and Anthropology’
- Ratika Samtani. ‘Role of Endocrine disrupting chemicals in epigenetic effects of ovarian cancer” edited by Rashmi Sinha. 2019. Rawat publication, New Delhi Course Modules Developed for Distance Education
- Ratika Samtani. Unit-5 Subfields of Biological Anthropology; Block I: Understanding Biological Anthropology Course Materials for BA (G) Anthropology, IGNOU; 2020
- Ratika Samtani. “Unit 3: Foot Prints Course Materials for BA (G) Anthropology, IGNOU; Course: Understanding Forensic Science Through Anthropology Block: Dermatoglyphics in Forensic Anthropology (Published by School of Social Sciences, IGNOU, New Delhi). 2020
- Ratika Samtani. Unit: Australopithecus; Course: Fundamentals of Human Origin and Evolution; Block: Homo erectus to Modern Homo sapiens. Course Materials for BA (G) Anthropology, IGNOU; 2020
- Ratika Samtani. “Unit-9 Indian Demography for BA (G) Anthropology, IGNOU; Course: (Published by School of Social Sciences, IGNOU, New Delhi). 2021
- Samtani R. 2016 Autochthones and Peopling of India. Indian Anthropology. e-pathshala. MHRD inititaive
- P. C. Joshi, K.N. Saraswathy, R. Kumar, R. Samtani, R. Joy, M. Dhall and P. K. Ghosh. Bio-cultural Diversity in a Village of Hamirpur District in Himachal Pradesh, UGC SAP Report, Department of Anthropology, Delhi University, Delhi, 2010.
Papers Presented
- Invited as a Guest Speaker to the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi, on the topic Climate Change and Its Effect on Health on February 7, 2025
- Ratika Samtani: invited to present the case study on “Millets: A step towards a sustainable future” under the theme-Strengthening Healthcare Systems under National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health on 13th July 2023 at National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi.
- Ratika Samtani. Endocrine disrupting chemicals on cancer progression at International Conference on Food & Health, 27-29th Feb 2021; University of Delhi.
- Ratika Samtani. Ovarian Cancer and EDCs at National Seminar on ‘Role of Anthropology and Forensic Science in National Development; 24th-25th March 2017, University of Delhi.
- Ratika Samtani. Pesticdes and Cancer at National Seminar Anthropology: Unveiling the Mystique, October 28-29, 2015, Discipline of Anthropology, SOSS, IGNOU, New Delhi
- Ratika Samtani. Pesticdes and Cancer at National Seminar Anthropology: Unveiling the Mystique, October 28-29, 2015, Discipline of Anthropology, SOSS, IGNOU, New Delhi
- Ratika Samtani.Human Genetics- Hope for the Future???” at National Seminar on Applied Anthropology: paradigm shifts and challenges” at Amity University 2014
- Ratika Samtani Psychological consequences of having a child with DSD’ during the Symposium on Sexual Development disorders at Department of Pediatric surgery, AIIMS (2011).
- Ratika Samtani Polymorphism of CYP-17 and SRD5A2 gene in Isolated Hypospadias: A Case-Control study among North-Indian population at Indian National Congress of Anthropological Association (INCAA), Bhopal (2010)
- Ratika Samtani Beta Thalassemia among the Sindhis’ at a conference of ‘Indian society of Human Genetics (2009).
- Ratika Samtani Molecular basis of Hypospadias” at Indian National Congress of Anthropological Association (INCAA), Chandigarh (2008).
- Ratika Samtani. “Need of The Hour!!! Community Specific Screening for Beta Thalassemia” in a National Conference titled “Community Based Screening of Beta Thalassemia” at the Anthropological Survey of India in Calcutta (2008).
- Ratika Samtani.‘Environmental and Genetic Basis of Hypospadias’ at the National Symposium on Paradigms in New Anthropology: Genome Diversity, Diseases, Obesity & Health in New Delhi (22 – 24th December, 2008).
Trainings & Workshops
As a participant-
- Awarded the Certificate in conducting Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) for health sector by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India from 3rd – 7th July 2023
- Curriculum designing, Outcome Based Learning, Effective Assessment & Life Skills for Holistic & Multidisciplinary Education (Under Guru Dakshta, LOCF & Jeevan Kausahal UGC Quality Mandate)” from 15th March to 20th March 2020, Delhi
- 6 months Certificate course in Genetic Counseling-organised by IMA eVarsity.February 2020-October 2020, Delhi
- E-Content Development for flipped mode and online teaching”- organized by Amity University. May 29th- 31st, 2020, Noida
- Introduction to Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis authorized by Johns Hopkins University and offered through Coursera on 28th August 2020
- Next Generation Genomic Technologies & Bioinformatics -organized by Centre for Functional Genomics & Bio-informatics, The Institute of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences & Technology, Bengaluru March 1-2, 2019, Chandigarh
- Science Leadership Workshop, organized Central University of Punjab, Bathinda; 22-28th June, 2020.
- Moodle Learning Management System, organized by Amity University, Lucknow in association with IIT Bombay, 23rd to 27th June 2020, Noida
- Entrepreneurship Development, organized by National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Board, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India from 26th Nov 2018-7th De 2018
- Art of appreciative enquiry, organized by LeadWynn from 3-4 April, 2013
- 2-day Workshop on ‘Train the Trainer for Remote Learning’ from 16th June to 17th June 2020
- One day FDP on “Intellectual Property Rights and its implications for India” on 10th July 2018 in Amity University
- Smart City and inclusion of disabled people” on 25th February 2017 at Rai Umanath Bali Auditorium, Lucknow
- Biosafety and regulatory affairs on GMOs and GE Plants” in association with Biotech Consortium India Limited, New Delhi held on 9th September 2016
- Methodology in Biosocial Research” held on 29th-30th March 2016 at Amity University.
As a resource person/expert-
- Chaired a session on Biological Anthropology at International Conference & Pre-Congress of “UIAF World Anthropology Congress” Rescripting the Anthropocene: Health, Happiness and Hope which is being held from 11th -13th January at University of Delhi
- Invited as a Resource person for delivering a session on Social and Environmental Determinants of Health for TDR MPH Implementation Science funded by WHO on 22nd-23rd Feb 2023 at IIHMR University. . Participants from 8 countries shared the knowledge exchange during the program.
- As a resource person in a conference
- Co-Chaired a session on “Physical and Mental Health” in INCAA (Indian National Confederation & Academy of Anthropologists) & Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, 21-23 February 2021
- Co-chaired a session on “Food & Health” in International Conference on Food & Health from Feb 27-29 2020 held at Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi
- As an Invited Panelist in the webinar “My Vision and Road Map of Anthropology in India “by United India Anthropology Forum on Young Anthropology Series on 15th Jan 2021
- Co-chaired a session in the National seminar on Anthropology: Unveiling the Mystique, October 28-29, 2015, Discipline of Anthropology, SOSS, IGNOU, New Delhi
- Resource person in Workshop on Social and Anthropological Dimensions in Wildlife Conservation, 20th - 22nd August 2014, Amity University
- Supervsised one Ph.D
Membership of Scientific & Academic Organizations
- Founder Member of United Indian Anthropology Forum (UIAF)
- Associate Life member of Indian Academy of Medical Genetics (IAMG)
- Member of the Editorial Board of Frontier Anthropology (Official Journal of Anthropological Society of Manipur).
Awards Obtained
- Was awarded the Teaching Assistant Award/Fellowship in 2008
- Awarded the project under the Young Investigator Scheme of DBT in 2015
- Qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) for Lectureship, University Grants Commission, Delhi (2007)