Sonal Palande
Ph.D.
Dombivli (East)
Summary
Experienced researcher and biostatistician with a strong background in clinical nutrition, epidemiology, and project management. Led high-impact research projects at KEM Hospital and HCJMRI, Jehangir Hospital, Pune, including government- and internationally-funded studies. Skilled in statistical analysis (SPSS, Excel), protocol development, and scientific writing, with multiple first-author publications. As a post-Ph.D. freelancer, I specialize in study design, sample size estimation, data interpretation, and manuscript development, with a focus on healthcare applications.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Freelance Biostatistician & Scientific Consultant
Self-employed
03.2024 - Current
- Advise on study design, sampling, and statistical analysis for clinical and nutrition-related research
- Provide guidance in manuscript preparation, research proposal writing, and data interpretation
- Assisted in grant proposal development, contributing to the acquisition of research funding for critical studies.
- Calculated sample size requirements for clinical studies.
- Drew conclusions and made predictions based on data summaries or statistical analysis.
Research Assistant
HCJMRI, Jehangir Hospital, Pune
12.2013 - 01.2015
- Led projects on Insulin-like Growth Factors and child nutrition
- Implemented a double-blind nutritional supplementation clinical trial
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams.
Research Assistant
KEM Hospital Research Centre, Pune
06.2008 - 08.2012
- Coordinated multi-center studies funded by the Department of Biotechnology (India) and Wellcome Trust (UK)
- Managed supplementation programs, data collection SOPs, and field team training
- Conducted dietary assessments and anthropometric measurements
Education
Ph.D. - Health Sciences
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Pune, Maharashtra 01.2018 - 01.2024
M.Sc. - Health Sciences (Dietetics)
School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Pune, Maharashtra 01.2006 - 01.2008
B.Sc. - Zoology
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Pune, Maharashtra 01.2003 - 01.2006
Skills
Quantitative research design
Project Management
Study conceptualization
Protocol design
Designing clinical research frameworks
Project execution
Collaborative team management
Interdisciplinary communication
SOP preparation
Clinical trials
Statistical analysis
Manuscript development
Report writing
Certification
Certified Diabetes Educator – Project HOPE India, KEM Hospital, Pune
Publications
- Gender-specific Indian paediatric and adult reference data for muscle function parameters assessed using Jumping Mechanography, J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact, 2024
- Effect of Yoga or Physical Exercise on Muscle Function in Rural Indian Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial, J Phys Act Health, 2023
- Dynamic muscle function parameters in Indian children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus: A case-control study, Indian J Endocrinol Metab, 2024
- Differential Relationship of Grip Strength with Body Composition and Lifestyle Factors Between Indian Urban and Rural Boys and Girls, Indian J Pediatr, 2022
- Determinants of muscle power and force as assessed by Jumping Mechanography in rural Indian children, J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact, 2022
- Efficacy of B12 Fortified Nutrient Bar and Yogurt in Improving Plasma B12 Concentrations—Results From 2 Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trials, Food Nutr Bull, 2021
- Co-authored papers on growth standards, glucose levels, and anthropometry in children
Awards
- New Investigator Award, 9th ICCBH, Austria, 2019
- 1st Prize – Experimental Nutrition, 53rd IDA Conference, 2021
- 3rd Prize – ISPAE Paper Presentation, 2021
- UGC NET – Research Fellowship & Lectureship, 2017
Timeline
Freelance Biostatistician & Scientific Consultant
Self-employed
03.2024 - Current
Ph.D. - Health Sciences
Savitribai Phule Pune University
01.2018 - 01.2024
Research Assistant
HCJMRI, Jehangir Hospital, Pune
12.2013 - 01.2015
Research Assistant
KEM Hospital Research Centre, Pune
06.2008 - 08.2012
M.Sc. - Health Sciences (Dietetics)
School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University
01.2006 - 01.2008
B.Sc. - Zoology
Savitribai Phule Pune University
01.2003 - 01.2006