I conduct interdisciplinary research to help improve pregnant women's health in low- and middle-income settings, where most maternal complications and deaths take place.

My main area of expertise is on estimating the number of obstetric complications and on capturing their lasting impact on women’s health and lives through cohort studies. My initial research focused on developing the concept of near-miss complications, how their burden can be best measured and how quality of care can be improved by conducting near-miss audits in health facilities.

I am also keen on addressing key determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes and on testing interventions that work. I have evaluated with complex interventions designed to reduce maternal mortality and/or improve infant health (EVA-PMDUP, FEMHEALTH, Alive and Thrive). At present my research largely focus on the impact of climate change, especially extreme heat, on maternal and newborn health in Africa and on piloting climate adaptation interventions (CHAMNHA, HIGH Horizons, CHARTer and Extram Sen/SPRINT projects).  I am also a member of STAR project which seeks to improve respectful care for women and newborn babies in Kwazulu Natal in South Africa through the development of a quality improvement intervention.

In terms of academic disciplines, my undergraduate degree was in political sciences. I then studied demography and epidemiology.