Lathadevi Chilgod is a public health researcher and fellow at the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Bengaluru. She heads the centre for health systems at IPH and also she leads an ICMR-funded implementation research project on oral health in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, and collaborates with the National Oral Health Program (NOHP) in Karnataka.

A former assistant professor and oral pathologist, she has a strong academic background and extensive experience in public health. She has worked on urban health projects with NHSRC, focusing on capacity building for community health workers during COVID-19. Additionally, she has served on the management committee as a staff representative and is a member of the IEC at IPH.

Latha places communities at the core of her work, ensuring that research and interventions are driven by the needs and perspectives of the people they serve. She is deeply committed to stakeholder engagement, fostering partnerships, and collaborating with key health officials, community leaders, and organizations to achieve sustainable health outcomes. Her efforts emphasize empowering communities and ensuring their voices are integral to decision-making processes.

Her academic work includes a focus on NCD policies, oral health access, and the commercial determinants of health. Her ongoing projects include a scoping review on oral health in South-East Asia and oral health access research and integration into primary healthcare in Karnataka. As a resilient, empathetic leader and mentor, she believes in community connectedness, perseverance, and taking the longer route for sustained impact. She draws inspiration from the strength of women in leadership roles and values her personal journey as a leader, rooted in community engagement and collaboration.