Menka Loomba, a doctoral candidate from the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research – MAX-MIME, New Delhi, India, secured the Global Development Hub Fellows Fund in 2025. Menka completed a short-term research placement at the NIHR Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC), School of Public Health, Imperial College London.

My Experience at the Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC) (January to March 2025), Imperial College London

By Menka Loomba
PhD Research Scholar, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research – MAX-MIME, New Delhi, India
Global Development Fellow 2025

About me
I am currently pursuing a PhD focused on determining the association between periodontal disease and Type 2 Diabetes among the urban slum population of New Delhi. My research aims to assess the effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention, based on the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation for behaviour change (COM-B) model, to improve both periodontal health and glycaemic­ control in underserved communities.

What was the placement?
With agreement from Professor Sophie Day to act as mentor, I was able to apply to and win generous support from the Imperial Global Development Fellows Fund to complete a short-term research placement at the NIHR Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC), School of Public Health, Imperial College London.

What did the placement involve?
This three-month placement was a transformative experience that allowed me to embed the principles of ethical engagement and community inclusion into the very foundation of my research. The primary objectives guiding my time at PERC were to:

• acquire advanced skills in public involvement and engagement methodologies that could be adapted for use in low-income settings in Delhi and to gather qualitative insights from a broader South Asian community affected by my research. These insights will help enhance the cultural relevance and real-world applicability of the behaviour change intervention I am using in my research project.
• strengthen the ethical integrity and inclusivity of my research by involving underrepresented populations and addressing existing health inequalities. I also aim to establish continuous feedback mechanisms with my public contributors to ensure the intervention remains responsive and grounded in the lived experiences of the people it intends to serve.

A highlight
A highlight of the placement was the opportunity to engage directly with diverse community groups in London, including individuals from South Asian, Latin American, African Caribbean, and Greek backgrounds. In each of these sessions, I shared the scientific basis for linking Type 2 Diabetes and periodontal disease, introduced the intervention I had designed using the COM-B model, and invited feedback. Approximately 50 people participated across the sessions, with 96% expressing confidence in the intervention’s potential effectiveness. Many attendees also suggested expanding the intervention to school-aged children, highlighting the value of instilling health-promoting behaviours from an early age. As one community member wisely noted, “Start early! Teaching good habits in schools could transform health futures.”

Other benefits of the placement
Beyond direct community engagement, my learning was enriched by attending 27 expert-led training workshops hosted by both PERC and other teams from Imperial College. These sessions covered a range of critical topics, including public involvement in research, scientific writing, thesis development, statistics in public health, science communication and leadership in global health. These workshops not only enhanced my technical and academic capabilities but also deepened my appreciation for inclusive, participatory approaches in global health research.

Next steps
This placement has been pivotal in equipping me with the skills, confidence, and global perspective needed to advance my research and broaden its impact. I now feel more prepared to design culturally sensitive and community-informed interventions, to engage the public meaningfully throughout the research cycle, and to advocate for inclusive practices in public health. I am deeply thankful to Professor Sophie Day, Professor Helen Ward, the PERC team and Imperial College London for their warm mentorship and invaluable support and to the Global Development Fellows Fund for making this incredible opportunity possible.