With a career rooted in infectious diseases, microbiology, and global health, Dr Oshani Dissanayake has built a professional path at the intersection of clinical medicine, academic research, and health strategy. Her experience spans the NHS, international work with Médecins Sans Frontières, and specialist training in London, alongside an emerging research portfolio focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Embarking on the Executive MBA Health programme at UCL Global Business School for Health was a pivotal step, motivated by the recognition that solving global health challenges requires more than clinical expertise. Oshani sought to complement her 17 years of medical training with a strategic understanding of the systems, markets, and policies that shape healthcare delivery.
Reflecting on the programme, she notes: “The EMBA has been transformative. It has not only equipped me with the language of business and strategy, but also given me a new way of thinking about impact in healthcare, across patients, systems, and industries.”
One of the most significant opportunities was a consultancy project with IQVIA, where Oshani explored how AMR could disrupt haematology–oncology trials and future market growth. This work brought together her medical background, her passion for AMR, and the strategic toolkit gained through the EMBA. The project highlighted the importance of framing scientific issues in ways that resonate with industry and demonstrated how multidisciplinary insights can generate actionable solutions for clients.
Alongside her EMBA studies, Oshani is pursuing doctoral research in AMR, further deepening her expertise in this critical area. Looking ahead, she aims to continue working at the intersection of science, medicine, and strategy, with a focus on addressing systemic health challenges.
Summarising the impact of the programme, she reflects: “The EMBA has shown me how unconventional career paths can create new opportunities for impact. It has prepared me to work across sectors, translating clinical insight into strategy, and strategy into better outcomes for people.”