December 13, 2024 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

Deeksha Gupta has a special tool for advancing health equity: a background in economics. She looks at how addressing social determinants of health within clinical settings (think: screenings, connecting with community-based resources) can improve patient outcomes (e.g., health, health care utilization, quality of life) as well as cost-effectiveness. Her research has looked at groups such as under-resourced patients with diabetes, who also have food insecurity and/or are pregnant.

“Overall, my goal was to contribute to the development of strategies that address health inequities and enhance patient care,” she says.

Dinner table conversations get first credit for sparking Gupta’s interest in public health, but it was her aptitude for economics that ultimately led her to pursue a career in the field. Her sister, a physician, worked tirelessly for patient care in India. Her father’s role with the Drugs Control Department meant he oversaw the safety and regulation of medications for the general population.

Drawn to its practical applications, the New Delhi native earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics in India. Shortly after graduation, Gupta worked as a research assistant on a project that examined the economic costs of different treatment modalities for ovarian cancer patients and their caregivers. During her second master’s program – this time in agricultural and applied economics at Virginia Tech – she explored how relative deprivation and food environments influence health.

“The first project showed me how economic tools can be applied to tackle public health challenges,” Gupta says. “The second project fueled my interest in understanding social determinants of health, and, together, my experiences solidified my commitment to leveraging economics to improve health equity.”

With support from a Norman J. Arnold Doctoral Fellowship, Gupta joined the Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior (HPEB) program due to its strong interdisciplinary approach, commitment to fostering a supportive atmosphere, rich mentorship, and collaborative, well-resourced environment. The opportunity to work with HPEB associate professor Caroline Rudisill on the health economist’s research with clinical partners like Prisma Health was another key factor in her decision.

“Dr. Rudisill has been an exceptional mentor, and I truly credit her for shaping me into the researcher I am today,” Gupta says. “Her mentorship has been integral to my success at USC, and I am incredibly grateful for the guidance, trust and opportunities she has provided through the years.”

HPEB professor Edward Frongillo also played an important role in Gupta’s growth as a scientist – helping her master different methodologies and developing more thoughtful and analytical approaches to her research. Off campus, the December graduate loved Columbia’s balance of city living at a relaxed pace. She has also enjoyed the ease of taking a quick trip to the beaches in Charleston or driving North to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“Having that work-life balance really made my time at USC special,” Gupta says.

That special time has been extended for Gupta, who will continue at the Arnold School as a postdoctoral research associate in the HPEB department. Working with Rudisill and associate professor Courtney Monroe, she will expand her research skills and gain additional experience in leading independent projects. With plans to join academia as a tenure-track faculty member, this postdoctoral work will equip Gupta with the experience and training to successful transition into that future role.

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