Dr. Nikhil Ahuja

Dr. Nikhil Ahuja

Adjunct Professor

Dr. Nikhil Ahuja is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Slippery Rock University (SRU) of Pennsylvania, USA, and a globally trained public health and dental public health research scientist with over a decade of experience spanning academia, research, policy, and community practice in the United States and India. He earned his PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Memphis School of Public Health, USA, Master of Dental Surgery in Public Health Dentistry from M. R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, and Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Dental College, Solapur. He also completed the National SORT-IT Operational Research Course by The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease under the WHO–TDR program in Chennai, India, and holds a certificate in the Advanced Dental Leadership Program from the Global Child Dental Fund (UK).

Dr. Ahuja’s prior experience includes roles as Senior Lecturer in Public Health Dentistry at Vaidik Dental College and Research Center, Daman, and Consultant/Research Consultant with the Indian Dental Association, MERCK Healthcare and Life Sciences, Salaam Bombay Foundation, and Mumbai Smiles Foundation. He is also Co-Founder of the United Association of Public Health and Education, Mumbai. He has developed a strong research portfolio focused on tobacco control, substance use prevention, cancer screening and communication, implementation science, oral health promotion, social determinants of health, and global health. He has secured competitive external and internal grant funding as principal investigator from international organizations including the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Truth Initiative, and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. He has published several research in high-impact journals, including American Journal of Health Promotion, Journal of Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities, and International Journal of Mental Health/Addiction.

In recognition of his academic excellence, leadership, and service, Dr. Ahuja has received several honors including nomination for SRU’s President’s Award for Scholarly and Creative Achievement, Academic Advising, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He has presented at several national and international conferences, including the American Public Health Association (APHA), Society of Behavioral Medicine, and Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. He actively contributes through service on conference leadership, peer review, community engagement, and multiple SRU committees covering curriculum, accreditation, interprofessional education, undergraduate research, and professional development. Through his roles as educator, researcher, and public health advocate, Dr. Ahuja continues to advance health equity and improve public health outcomes locally, nationally, and globally.

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