Rinki completed her BSc(Hons) in Molecular Biology with Forensic Science from Queen Mary University of London and received her MSc in Medical Parasitology from the London School of Tropical Medicine in 2009. She conducted field work in Laos and used molecular techniques to monitor the presence of malaria drug resistance markers in P.falciparum positive human samples from the region.
In 2010, she joined the Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases (CNTD) at LSTM to work on two DFID funded programmes implementing mass drug administration through community and school-based delivery systems for lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths. Rinki also supported monitoring and evaluation activities, capacity strengthening and development of operational research projects to address key programmatic gaps associated with drug delivery and the role of integrated vector management. Whilst working at CNTD, she completed her MSc in Project Management (part-time) through University of Liverpool.
Rinki joined Mike Coleman's group in 2013 to support establishing LSTM's Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded VL elimination project. Activities include establishing routine vector abundance and resistance monitoring, tracking parasite infection levels, implementing quality assurance surveys to assess IRS performance and implementation of the Disease Data Management System (DDMS) to drive effective data-driven decision making in VL. The project currently operates across three States (Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal) to support the Indian National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme achieve their elimination targets.
She is also involved in the development and validation of novel tools to improve monitoring and evaluation within implementation programmes, working with international multi-sectoral partners to drive innovation.
As a part-time PhD student, Rinki is exploring the role of novel tools to promote effective monitoring and evaluation within vector-control programmes.