Dr Sandhya Kranthi
Celebrating women across the globe to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoningTranslating evidence on highly hazardous pesticides into safer practices and policies worldwide
Name
Dr Sandhya Kranthi
Job role
International Consultant, Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention, University of Edinburgh.
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
Tell us about your role?
I am an Independent Consultant supporting CPSP by conducting comprehensive reviews of scientific research on the human health and environmental risks of pesticides.
My role includes leading an evidence-based review to assess the impacts of hazardous pesticides, identifying proven, viable, and cost-effective alternatives, and convening and collaborating with an expert group to critically evaluate the findings. I work closely with the CPSP team to synthesize evidence and support the dissemination of results to policymakers and key stakeholders. In addition, I provide technical guidance to facilitate clear, accurate, and impactful communication of the findings for policy and regulatory decision-making.
Why is this work important to you?
As a cotton researcher in India for nearly three decades, I have witnessed firsthand the adverse impacts of hazardous pesticides on farmers, their families, agricultural ecosystems, and the broader environment. My current work as an independent consultant allows me to draw upon this long experience and apply scientific expertise in crop health to real-world challenges with direct human and environmental consequences.
By rigorously evaluating evidence on the harmful effects of hazardous pesticides and identifying viable, safer alternatives, I aim to contribute to a policy-relevant framework that can help prevent both intentional and occupational poisoning, reduce self-harm, and protect livelihoods and ecosystems. This engagement strengthens my role as a senior expert working at the intersection of science, public health, and pesticide regulation. It enables me to participate in high-impact deliberations that directly influences decision-making on hazardous pesticides – an issue of critical importance for farmer health, suicide prevention, and environmental protection.
This consultancy aligns deeply with my professional and ethical compass. It reinforces evidence synthesis, international collaboration, and the translation of science into policy, while expanding my engagement with global experts. Most importantly, it offers the opportunity for tangible regulatory and societal impact, aligning my continued professional growth with meaningful public good outcomes, which is personally and professionally fulfilling.
This profile has been compiled for International Women’s Day 2026, to celebrate the incredible women worldwide who are helping to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoning.