Dr. Subi Gandhi is Professor of Public Health and Co-Director of the Center for Rural Resilience at Tarleton State University. As one of the university’s inaugural public health faculty members, she played a pivotal role in launching the program in 2014. Her career reflects a deep and sustained commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved communities, with a particular focus on rural populations.
Dr. Gandhi’s scholarship and practice center on strengthening rural health systems, expanding access to mental health care, and promoting evidence-based approaches grounded in community-engaged research. Her work is distinguished by its innovative strategies to enhance community health, with expertise spanning epidemiology, behavioral health, student health, older adults’ health, and disaster epidemiology.
She has successfully secured and led a broad portfolio of funded initiatives supported by foundations as well as state and federal agencies. These efforts have enabled her to implement impactful programs that expand healthcare access and improve health outcomes across populations. Her leadership has earned state-level recognition and numerous awards from academic and professional organizations for her contributions to public health practice and research.
Leadership and Service
University Service
Dr. Gandhi plays an active role in institutional governance and academic leadership at Tarleton State University. She currently serves on the Institutional Review Board and the Committee for Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure. Her previous service includes membership on the Scholarship Committee, numerous faculty search committees, and various college- and department-level committees.
Statewide and National Public Health Leadership
Dr. Gandhi is a respected public health leader across Texas. She serves as a Board Member of Healthier Texas and holds positions on the Governing Council and Executive Board of the Texas Public Health Association (TPHA). She is also Chair-Elect of TPHA’s Aging Section and contributes to multiple regional and statewide initiatives focused on advancing public health and community well-being.
She is also a long-standing member of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Dr. Gandhi regularly presents research findings at conferences ranging from local to national levels. Her presentations often highlight the work of her students, in addition to her collaborative work with internal and external colleagues, fostering dialogue, innovation, and mentorship within the field.
Education
Dr. Gandhi earned both her master’s and PhD degrees from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. Throughout her career, she has remained a dedicated public health professional, committed to advancing research, fostering resilience in rural communities