SASWATHI NATTA, PhD
About Me
Dr. Saswathi Natta is a sociologist, entrepreneur and educator trained in mixed-methods research specializing Her PhD work includes caste stratification, educational outcomes and gendered labor markets.
A Fulbright Research Scholar in India, she designed and led multi-site fieldwork across northern and southern states, conducting 100+ in-depth interviews and focus groups to examine how caste operates as a localized institutional structure.
As Co-Founder and Research Lead at SpendMatch, she leads user-centered program and product evaluation in the FinTech-EdTech space to improve access to scholarships, grants, and loans for underrepresented students in the U.S and beyond.
Education
2017-2025
PhD, Sociology
University of Maryland
Dissertation: “Experiencing caste: Social Distance is Distinct from Economic Distance”; Focuses on how caste influences children’s educational outcomes, women’s labor force participation and conflict at the local level. Fulbright grant funded field work. Defended on Nov 18th, 2024. Advised by Dr. Sonalde Desai.
Member of India Human Development Survey research team; Curriculum development, Teaching.
2015-2017
M.A, Sociology
University of Maryland
Second Year Paper: Disparities in Financial Inclusion in India; Paper identifies financial exclusion patterns across caste and religious divides in modern India.
Other significant Research: Paper topics include gender differences in educational attainment in India;
2009-2010
B.S.E, Electrical Engineering
Princeton University
Major in electrical Engineering; Final Project: Thin Film Circuitry Wireless Transmission Measurement & Optimization; Autonomous vehicles lab, Human-computer Interface system prototyping.
Minor in South Asian Studies. Final Paper: Network analysis of MSMEs in India to Identify Trends in Caste Representation across Companies, Income group, Industries and States.
Vice President of Sustained Dialogue Student Organization
CEO & Head of Research at SpendMatch Inc.
2025 Onward. (Current Role)
Directing program development and evaluation efforts to improve financial access for underrepresented college students.
Leading mixed-methods research, stakeholder interviews, & focus groups, to assess user needs, evaluate implementation processes, and measure impact across diverse student populations.
Providing data-based, continuous feedback for the development of a financial guidance product that streamlines scholarship, aid, grant and loan searches.
Successfully completed a NSF iCorps regional program (Propelus) and NSF iCorps National program (Ascendus) during company customer discovery and business model development.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Snapshot of My Career
SURVEY STATISTICIAN
International Programs Center (IPC)
U.S. Census Bureau
2022 - 2025
Managed the design, implementation, and evaluation of statistical capacity-building initiatives with national governments across Africa, supported by USAID’s Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) program.
PUBLIC HEALTH ANALYST
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
2020-2021
Contributed to the design, evaluation, and refinement of national survey instruments. Conducted in-depth cognitive interviews on topics including COVID-19 health care access and service delivery, using participant feedback to identify barriers to comprehension and ensure survey inclusivity across diverse populations.
FULBRIGHT GRANT
Dissertation Fieldwork
Delhi, India
2018 - 2019
Conducted dissertation fieldwork was funded by Fulbright, managing all phases of a large-scale, multi-site research project in India. Data collection with dalit and dominant caste women across four field sites (Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka). Collaborated with multiple NGOs, research institutions, and community organizations. Completed 100+ interviews and focus groups. Presented to India-based stakeholders and at the Fulbright conference in India as well as to the Population Association of America Conference.
INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTOR
Department of Political Affairs (DPA)
United Nations (UN)
2018
Led the evaluation of the Gender/Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) training program to assess its effectiveness, applicability, and global impact among UN staff. I developed and managed multiple data collection instruments, including an online survey, semi-structured interview guides, and conducted a focus group based on protocol I developed, to capture both quantitative and qualitative feedback from participants stationed across continents.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE & FELLOW
Lok Foundation ( Impact Investing)Portfolio Microfinance Company: Ujjivan
2013-2015
Led the creating of Management information systems reports, tracking loan repayment, at Ujjivan Microfinance, a portfolio company of Lok Capital (an impact investing fund supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and World Bank). I conducted customer visits across India to evaluate product effectiveness and service quality. I also designed and implemented survey instruments, conducted pilot surveys on social and political issues to assess impact and shifts in social norms, and analyzed the resulting data to inform product and program strategies.
Dr. Saswathi Natta
Publications
Explore a collection of my latest research findings and upcoming projects:
PUBLICATIONS
-
Natta, S. (2024). Experiencing Caste: Social Distance Is Distinct from Economic Distance (Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland, College Park). <https://search.proquest.com/openview/295a3adecce5d7d846661d59247d317b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y>
-
Bradatan, C., Natta, S., (2024) Measuring Subnational Resilience in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries International programs Center, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. <https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/international-programs/technical-documentation/methodology/measuring-subnational-resilience.html>
-
Natta, S., Goodkind, D. (2024) The Components of Demographic Change: When Does Each Matter Most? Select Topics in International Population and Health, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/international-programs/events/stiph/components-of-demographic-change.pdf>
-
Rusatira, J. C., Uwimana, J. B., Rutagumba, D., Byiringiro, S., Natta, S., Espmark, J., ... & Ndoli, A. D. (2025). Investigating the mental health burden amongst breast and cervical cancer patients in Rwanda using a modified self-reported questionnaire for mental health screening (SRQ-20): A validation study. BMC Women’s Health. Under review
SELECT PROFESSIONAL PAPERS/CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
2025 International Population Conference 2025; Brisbane, Australia
Abstract: “iCRE: Identifying Disadvantaged Communities in Low- and Middle- Income Countries. How to Co-produce Quality Resilience Indexes at Subnational Level” International Programs Center, U.S. Census Bureau
2024 Population Association of America Conference 2024; Columbus, OH
Poster: “Measuring Subnational Resilience in Low- and Middle-Income Countries” International Programs Center, U.S. Census Bureau
2022 Population Association of America Conference 2022; Atlanta, GA
Flash Presentation: “Caste & Community Conflict in India: Is Untouchability still a Factor?”
Poster: “Dalit Women and Work behavior if SES increases: Does "Sanskritization" theory hold up?”
2021 Population Association of America Conference 2021; Virtual
Poster: “Context Specific Women's Empowerment Measures: Education, Labor Force and Caste in India”
2020 Population Association of America Conference 2020; Washington DC (moved online due to COVID)
Flash Presentation: “Intersectionality of Women’s Empowerment: Education & Labor Force Variation across Castes”
2019 Asian & Asian American Studies 2019; Madison, WI
Paper: “Indian Caste Lines & Co-ethnic Divergence: Ethnic and Racial Identity Formation in the U.S."
2019 Fulbright 2019 Conference, South Asian Region; Kochi, India
Presentation: “The Ideal Indian Woman: Family Aspirations and Implications for Women’s Empowerment"
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Community Organizing & Discussion Facilitation
PANEL ON THE UNDERLAYING ISSUES OF NETFLIX SHOW "INDIAN MATCHMAKING"
Aug 29th, 2020
Critical discussion with scholars studying caste and who identify as Dalit about the caste and gender issues normalized in the Netflix show "Indian Matchmaking"
TEACHER TRAINING: CENTERING STUDENTS' NEEDS
June 2019 & Jan 2020
In an effort to better serve orphaned children in southern India, Dr.Natta conducted a teacher training workshops to launch student led activities and build a mental health support network students can rely on for the NGO Friends of Children Village and affiliated school.
HOA PRESIDENT & NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH CO-FOUNDER
2024 Onward
As a dedicated leader in her community, Dr.Natta took the initiative to establish a neighborhood watch in response to being an eye-witness of gun violence and other violent crime in the neighborhood. By strategically positioning her new housing development within the context of local governance and power structures, she advocated for increased accountability from builders and city officials, that safety became a top priority. Through organizing and facilitating numerous city hall meetings, she and her fellow homeowners successfully created a safer environment for pedestrians, implementing better fencing and law enforcement presence, leading to a significant reduction in violent crime and drug activity. As a testament to her efforts, she was honored to be elected as the Homeowners Association president in 2025 by nearly 300 homeowners, allowing her to further champion measures such as enhanced lighting, patrols, and infrastructure improvements that prioritize safety.
