Shivani Patel

Shivani is the Research Manager for the Cardio-Metabolic Disease (CMD) innovation project, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. She joined Elrha in 2025 and leads our work on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), bringing together the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) programme and the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF). She also supports Elrha’s portfolio on undernutrition in humanitarian settings. Shivani works closely with a wide range of stakeholders including regional research actors, global policy actors, and implementing agencies, to ensure that research is impactful, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of humanitarian contexts. 

Shivani is a medical doctor with a background in humanitarian health and research. Before joining Elrha, she supported medical operations for Venezuelan refugees on the Colombia border. She has also contributed to research, advocacy, and policy work with the World Health Organisation, the Lancet Commission on Migration and Health, Ipas, Doctors of the World, and the Gender in Emergencies Group. Her work has spanned diverse contexts including Myanmar, Ukraine, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering migrant health, Ebola, NCDs, and health system strengthening. 

She holds an MSc in Health and International Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a medical degree from the University of Leeds. Shivani is passionate about translating evidence into practical and equitable health solutions for crisis affected populations.