Senior Research Associates
GAEA RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS
Our dedicated research team of young leaders are utilizing their unique skills and passion to move the work of our Women Empowerment Non-Profit Organization forward. We’re always pushing ourselves to stay ahead of the curve and striving to perfect our programs to achieve Gender Parity globally.
Meher KANTROO
HEAD OF RESEARCH- NEUROSCIENCE AND WELLBEING
Ms. Meher Kantroo recently completed her BSC. and MSc. in Biology from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER, Pune), India. Her area of research is neuroscience. As a part of her research career, she has worked on projects investigating the role of Early Life Stress on behaviour. Ms. Kantroo’s Master’s Thesis project investigated the dynamics of “Nature vs Nurture” and the effect of an enriched environment on sensory behaviours.
Since our founding, Meher brings her years of experience and skills to the forefront in helping Rising Gaea grow and succeed in the domain of Well-being and achieving Gender Equality. Being in academia, she is interested in raising awareness, where gender equality in research institutions is effectively achieved.
Meher is currently pursuing her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada and strives towards a better understanding of the human brain leading to both mental and physical well being.
Simran SAXENA
HEAD OF RESEARCH- TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Ms. Simran Saxena holds a Master’s in Computer Science from IIIT Delhi (Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology), India, and previously completed her B.Tech from the same institution. Her research interests lie at the intersection of Technology and Public Policy. An advocate of ‘Women in Technology’, Ms. Saxena is an active mentor, educator, and leader for the cause.
In 2017, she was conferred with the award of ‘Google Women Techmakers Scholar’ in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, she was selected from India as a GPODS (Global Policy, Diplomacy and Sustainability) Fellow (Spring 2021 cohort). Thus, she aspires to develop sustainable user-centered solutions for global challenges, especially achieving Gender and Health equality.
Ms. Saxena is currently pursuing her MS in Technology Innovation (Computer Science) at the University of Washington in collaboration with the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX). She joined Rising Gaea with the vision and drive to improve upon our global Women Empowerment initiative with her vast technology policy experience.
Tarini GUPTA
HEAD OF RESEARCH- PUBLIC POLICY
Ms. Tarini Gupta pursued B.A (Honours) Political Science from Miranda House, Delhi University (Batch 2015-2018) after which she completed her Masters in Public Policy (MPP 2018-2020) from St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai. Her Masters Dissertation analysed the dynamic role of women in the agriculture sector in India, focusing particularly on the ‘Feminisation of Agriculture’.
Ms. Gupta's varied research interests include discussions surrounding Gender, Environment, Urban Policy, Western and Indian political thought, History, and Public Administration. She is currently the India Smart Cities Fellow 2021 at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
Sampada SAXENA
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Ms. Sampada Saxena holds a Bachelor's in Economics (Honours) from Jesus and Mary College (JMC 2016-2019), University of Delhi, India and recently completed her Master’s in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics (DSE), India. She has been contributing to research in the area of Child Labour in collaboration with Stanford University, United States.
With previous experience of working with policy institutions like NITI Aayog, Invest India, and the Ministry of Finance (Government of India), Ms. Sampada finds keen interest in the field of Development Economics, Gender Policy, Environment, and Climate Change and wants to work towards making a positive change globally.
Currently, she was selected from India as a GPODS (Global Policy, Diplomacy, and Sustainability) Fellow (Spring 2021 cohort). At Rising Gaea, Ms. Saxena is truly a joy to be around and conducts development research for achieving Gender Parity every single day.