Dr Nandini Selvam joins Harvard Medical School as affiliate faculty

# Indian American Public Health Leader Dr. Nandini Selvam Joins Harvard Medical School as Affiliate Faculty

Dr. Nandini Selvam has joined Harvard Medical School’s Department of Population Medicine and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute as Affiliate Faculty, formalizing a professional relationship with researchers at the institution that has developed over the past decade.

Her new academic role will support collaborative work in areas including vaccine safety, regulatory science and the use of real-world health data to strengthen public health research and decision-making. The appointment also creates an opportunity for her to contribute to academic research while continuing her leadership responsibilities in the private sector.

Selvam currently serves as President of IQVIA Government Solutions, where she oversees strategy and operations supporting major civilian and military health agencies across the U.S. federal government. Her work has brought together expertise in epidemiology, health data, government programs and public-private partnerships.

Her career has spanned corporate, government and academic environments, with a focus on large-scale public health initiatives and the use of data to address complex health challenges. Her experience includes epidemiological research, regulatory science and the development of partnerships between government institutions and private organizations.

Selvam completed her academic training at Rutgers University, earning degrees in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, a Master of Public Health focused on Urban Populations and Environmental Health, and a PhD in Epidemiology.

She began her public health career as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In that role, she worked on international epidemiological investigations, gaining experience in responding to infectious disease threats and analyzing population-level health information.

Her work later expanded into health technology and federal health programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Selvam led IQVIA initiatives supporting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC, using national-level data to help inform operational guidance and public health policy.

Her experience in health information technology has also included work with the Defense Health Agency. She helped develop a virtual data environment designed to strengthen health surveillance capabilities and support the healthcare needs of military personnel.

Beyond her work in the United States, Selvam contributes to international discussions on public health and women's health. She serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Women’s Health Steering Committee and advises the Milken Institute Women’s Health Network.

Her appointment at Harvard adds an academic dimension to a career that has combined epidemiology, health data, government programs and private-sector leadership. Through her affiliation with the Department of Population Medicine, she is expected to participate in research collaborations and contribute to the development of emerging public health professionals.

Selvam’s work at the intersection of research, government and industry reflects the growing importance of real-world health data in evaluating medical products, monitoring safety and informing public health decisions.

At Harvard, she plans to build on her existing research relationships while supporting collaborative studies, mentoring professionals and translating evidence from large-scale health data into practical approaches for improving population health outcomes.