Sitikantha Panda

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT SITIKANTHA PANDA

As a Research Scholar in Anthropology, my work focuses on exploring the intersections of biological and socio-cultural anthropology, with a particular emphasis on tribal and indigenous communities in Eastern India. I have been actively involved in fieldwork among the Santal, Bathudi, Bhumij, and Hill Kharia tribes of Mayurbhanj, where I study health, nutrition, genetics, and socio-economic conditions. My research includes examining cardiovascular disease risk factors among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), assessing nutritional status and undernutrition among tribal children, and exploring cultural perceptions of health and hygiene practices. Alongside ethnographic studies, I also contribute to literature reviews, anthropometric research such as stature estimation from finger length, and the documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge systems. In addition to research, I teach postgraduate students core areas of biological anthropology, including human variation, genetics, and classification, while also guiding them in fieldwork methodologies and data analysis. My work combines a strong grounding in anthropometric techniques, ethnographic engagement, and statistical analysis, aiming to generate insights that can inform both academic knowledge and public health interventions.