Aayushi Khillan

Aayushi Khillan is an MD-PhD student whose work sits at the intersection of medicine, research, and advocacy. Her research focuses on understanding how different types of pain impact children with cerebral palsy, reflecting a strong commitment to improving quality of life for vulnerable patient groups. Alongside her clinical training, she brings a thoughtful and evidence-driven approach to complex healthcare challenges, with a clear focus on paediatric care and long-term patient outcomes.

Beyond academia, Aayushi is the founder of Body Buddies, a social enterprise dedicated to raising health literacy through creative and engaging approaches. Through this platform, she has combined her passion for education, design, and community impact to make health knowledge more accessible, particularly for younger audiences. Her work has been widely recognised, earning her multiple awards as a youth and health advocate.

Aayushi has also played an influential role in shaping youth and health policy, having contributed to organisations including the VCAA Board, the Australian Government STEM Youth Advisory Group, the C’mon Advisory Group, and the AMSA National Executive. She is deeply passionate about community engagement and systemic change in healthcare. With aspirations to become a paediatrician while continuing her advocacy work, Aayushi aims to drive meaningful improvements in both clinical care and health equity at scale.