Meera Viswanathan

Meera Viswanathan, PhD, is a leading expert in systematic review methodology. She directs the RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center (RTI-UNC EPC). The EPC systematically searches for, reviews, and synthesizes evidence on a wide range of health-related topics, including drugs, devices, procedures, and health services.  As part of the center, she co-authored a landmark study that found routine use of episiotomy is unnecessary. Dr. Viswanathan also found a severe gap in evidence on what types of treatment work best for children exposed to traumatic events.

Dr. Viswanathan has worked extensively on methods to refine and add rigor to systematic reviews. She has led or participated in the development of tools and guidance to assess the risk of bias of observational studies and systematic reviews. Dr. Viswanathan also developed guidance on evaluating conflict of interest from nonfinancial sources and on conducting reviews of complex interventions.