Divya Subramanian is a sophomore in Program II, studying Global Health Policy and Reproductive Health. Divya will be travelling to Kisumu with the 2026 SRT cohort in a few weeks!
Question: What about your upcoming trip to Kenya are you most looking forward to?
Answer: I am most excited to work with the research assistants and community health promoters who are working with mSaada in Kisumu. I am eager to learn how Kenya’s health system navigates reproductive health stigma at the clinic level, and how much this context shapes how effective mobile health tools like mSaada are. I look forward to hearing directly from patients and providers about their experiences with mSaada, as it will inspire our sustainability and implementation work. Beyond research, I am looking to build relationships with the Kisumu team and learn firsthand what global health research looks like!
Q: What sparked your interest in global health?
A: I became interested in global health after learning about my grandmother’s experiences with women’s healthcare in India. Hearing about stigma, limited education, and weak policy infrastructures shaped her access to reproductive care in India taught me how reproductive health outcomes are driven by more than clinical factors. This understanding drove my reproductive health advocacy work in high school, and continues to shape my experiences at Duke.
From engaging in global health research to designing my own Program II major focused on global reproductive health policy, I continue to seek experiences that engage in bridging health gaps beyond clinical care. What draws me to global health work is its inherently interdisciplinary nature that requires an understanding of the biology, health systems, history, and lived experiences of patients. In particular, I am interested in how policy and technology can work together to expand reproductive healthcare access at a broader level, which is how I came to mSaada and the Kenya SRT program.
Q: What do you hope to do after graduation?
A: After graduation, I plan to pursue medical school and pursue a career as an OBGYN. I hope to continue engaging in reproductive health advocacy and research that bridges clinical care and health equity.
Q: What is your favorite book or movie and why is it meaningful to you?
A: My favorite book (and movie) is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This book was gifted to me in elementary school by my grandmother, and has stayed with me since. I loved this book because it taught me how female strength can show up in so many different ways. Each of the sisters express their femininity in their own way, which feels deeply connected to the reproductive justice values that guide my academic and career interests. I will always return to this book for comfort and a reminder of why my work matters!
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires you or guides you?
A: “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” ― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women