Ishita S. Arora, PhD

Dr. Ishita Sunita Arora is an Associate Research Scientist at Yale University's Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Arora is a clinical and community psychologist who has worked with underserved and marginalized populations in the resource-limited settings of South Asia and the United States. Dr. Arora's research focuses on four core areas – (a) advancing health equity and evidence-based policy for women’s and maternal health, (b) promotion of girl empowerment and prevention of gender-based violence, (c) advancing anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, and (d) equitable access and utilization of mental healthcare among historically minoritized communities. Dr. Arora has expertise in community-engaged participatory research, program development and evaluation, implementation science, and violence prevention and intervention in academic medicine, and community and not-for-profit organizations.

Dr. Arora completed her predoctoral fellowship at Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry - The Consultation Center (TCC) and Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC). Dr. Arora earned her Ph.D. in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Liberal Studies and Leadership from Ashoka University, India. In India, she has worked as a therapist for street kids and unhoused families for the not-for-profit organization Salaam Baalak Trust. Dr. Arora’s work is guided by anti-racist, anti-casteist, anti-oppressive, and decolonial praxis.