Ishita Gambhir is a development economist passionate about using evidence-based research to inform public policy and contribute to the design of inclusive development programs that promote effective service delivery and accountability at the grassroots level. Her research examines how institutional and policy design shape welfare outcomes, with a focus on governance, social protection, and gender equity. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia, where her work explored administrative decentralization, cash transfers to farmers, and women leaders' access to development funds in rural India. Ishita has previously worked at the National Council of Applied Economic Research and held research roles at Integrated Research and Action for Development and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.