°®ÎÛ´«Ã½

Spuritha Bhandaru never imagined she would appear before members of Congress in Washington, D.C. to talk about her passion for health care. So, when the invitation arrived, she embraced a rare chance to make a difference.

“I was really nervous,’’ said Bhandaru, a 23-year-old MPH candidate in at the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½â€™s (COPH). “Being involved at the federal level had been a dream of mine for a long time, and when the opportunity finally came, I was excited beyond words.’’

Earlier this month, Bhandaru spoke at an event called TB Congressional Hill Day, which brings together survivors, experts and activists to promote increased federal funding for tuberculosis (TB). Without support in the fight against it, the disease will spread further on a global scale.

“I realized we had an incredible opportunity to bring meaningful change to health care,’’ she said. “That’s when the nerves truly set in − not because I was afraid of making a mistake, but because I kept wondering whether I could fully use this opportunity to drive the change we all hope to see.’’

Speaking to members of the House and Senate was a world apart from class study or lab work. Here was a chance to bounce ideas off people whose decisions determine public health outcomes, whose votes can affect countless lives.

“In that moment, it really hit me: in just one day, I had the chance to help influence how TB health care is perceived and addressed,’’ she said. “The only question was whether I could make the most of it.’’

Bhandaru’s angle of attack against TB is through mapping and predictive modeling to identify which communities may be at higher risk. This allows health departments to act sooner, improve screening, reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations.

“Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that can spread in communities if not identified and treated early,’’ she said. “While many people think of TB as a disease of the past, cases still occur in the United States and outbreaks can happen when prevention systems are underfunded or delayed.’’

Bhandaru’s work in TB epidemiology embraces both academic research and national policy. In November, she presented a study on geostatistical TB modeling at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting. To prepare, she worked with COPH colleagues Aarya Satardekar, an MPH student, and Namit Choudhari, a PhD candidate, who together co-authored a paper that drew attention from public health leaders.

As a result of her presentation at APHA, she received in an invitation to speak at the Hill Day in Washington. There, she served as the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ State Captain and engaged with policymakers on strengthening TB prevention, surveillance and sustainable funding. 

Advocacy efforts like Hill Day, she said, ensure that lawmakers understand the importance of sustained funding for testing, treatment and surveillance programs that keep communities safe.

“For me personally, it was a surreal experience to be part of a federal advocacy event and make my voice heard while representing °®ÎÛ´«Ã½,’’ Bhandaru said. “It also reinforced my belief that researchers and public health professionals should actively engage in policy conversations to help strengthen TB prevention and control efforts.’’ 

Bhandaru’s commitment to tuberculosis education and advocacy reflects the kind of leadership the next generation of public health professionals must bring to global health challenges, said , associate professor in COPH’s . He mentored her in the scientific rigor of her research and in how to translate data-driven findings into meaningful public health action.

“What stands out about her is not only her academic curiosity, but her willingness to step beyond the classroom and engage directly in policy conversations that shape how diseases like TB are addressed,’’ Jacob said.

“Her participation in Congressional Hill Day demonstrates a deep sense of responsibility to translate research and lived experiences into meaningful dialogue with decision-makers,’’ he added. “Young professionals like Spuritha remind us that the future of TB elimination will depend on passionate advocates who can bridge science, policy, and community engagement.’’