Dr Renu Varughese

Dr Renu Abraham Varughese, a prominent clinical gerontologist, accomplished scholar, and educator, is an Associate Professor at Mercy University, New York, USA. She holds a PhD in gerontology, MPhil in gerontological guidance and Counseling, MS in clinical ageing, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Organisational Leadership.

Her dynamic teaching with real-world applications creates an engaging learning environment where students are encouraged to explore complex global issues and develop their analytical skills.

Dr Varughese’s  passion and strong commitment to research on ageing in developing nations led her to India where she conducted a five–year–long (2000-2005) cross-cultural comparative study of seniors residing in long-term care centers in India and the USA. This was the first cross-cultural comparative study conducted between residents of long-term care centers of a developed and a developing nation.

As a highly regarding leader, Dr Varughese was awarded the prestigious US-Nehru Fulbright for Professional Excellence in 2015 by the US Department of State and Cultural Affairs. The research focused on the feasibility of implementing a culturally appropriate Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) for residents in long-term care facilities in India. In 2016 she received another grant from the Fulbright Board to Sri Lanka to present the research.

Dr. Varughese received the most prestigious Fulbright Specialist award (2019-2024) and will be spearheading the CommonAge “train the trainer” program for the elder care workforce in South Africa and Sub-Saharan countries.

Through her interdisciplinary research, global partnerships, cross-cultural exchange, and commitment to mentorship, Dr Varughese continues to make meaningful contributions to the ageing sector and inspire positive change in elder lives on a global scale.

She serves as the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Travancore Foundation, an assisted living Facility in Kerala state, India and she is the Founder of Travancore Foundation Education and Research Center on Ageing (TF ERCA), the first senior care institution in India to have a service-academic collaboration. 

Dr Varughese also actively engages with students and early-career researchers, providing guidance and support to the next generation of leaders. TF ERCA is affiliated with colleges and universities in India and offers Post Graduate Diploma and Certificate programs in geriatric care.

Other awards and grants Dr Varughese, has received include:

• the Sath Sevana (devotion to service) Award in 2023 by the Indo-American Press Club, the Founder’s Excellence Award in 2022 by Association for Senior Living India (ASLI) as the first women to receive this award for exemplary elder care service
• The John Hartford Foundation geriatric scholar awards in 2007 and 2010 and various other academic and scholar society scholarships.

Dr Varughese is an invited speaker at many conferences and her research was presented in Vienna, Singapore, India, and across the US.