The Speakers

Dr. Baiju Gopal is a Professor at the School of Psychological Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University). He has 22 years of teaching and research experience in psychology. Dr. Gopal completed his Ph.D. from the University of Calicut, focusing on the concept of madness and its management in Kerala. His areas of interest include qualitative research, cultural psychology, and psychoanalysis.

Dr Barbara Helen Miller is a cultural and medical anthropologist with research interests in indigenous healing practices, mental health, and the intersection of culture and medicine.

Rev Dr. Fr Binoy Checkonthayil is an Assistant Professor, Faculty of Philosophy at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram

Dr David P. Smith utilizes a people-centred and integrative approach to clinical hypnosis, addressing life's meaning in his practice. His work also involves the exploration of population health and human development.

Girishwar Misra,Ph.D. served as Professor of Psychology at the University of Delhi for two decades. He also served as Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha, India. His publications on culture and social construction strongly advocated indigenous and cultural research as a prerequisite for cross-cultural studies He has researched self, motivation, emotion, deprivation, health, and cognitive development with a nuanced cultural sensitivity to bring out indigenous perspectives for matured cross-cultural research. 

Dr Gopalakrishnan is a psychiatrist who integrates traditional healing practices into his work and repertoire. He has also served as the director of the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation.

Dr. Kalika Uttarkar is a faculty at both the Graduate and Community Education Divisions at HUA, holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Pune. With 25 years of diverse experience, she skillfully integrates Philosophy, Yoga, and Psychology into her teaching role.

Karen is a social work lecturer at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato conducting research primarily into community health/health social work. 

Dr Kelly is a Senior Lecturer and a New Zealand Registered Social Worker. She has been a social work lecturer at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato since 2011, conducting research primarily into community health/health social work, values and ethics, culturally responsive practice, and community disaster responses.

Dr. Madhavi Rangaswamy has been a faculty member at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) since 2014. She holds an MPhil in Neurophysiology (1993) and a PhD in Mental Health and Neurosciences from NIMHANS (2000). Her primary research interests include Human Electrophysiology and Cognitive Neuroscience. Her work focuses on brain dysfunction in Alcoholism, adolescent impulsivity, and genetic vulnerabilities.

Prof Malavika Kapur is a Honorary Visiting Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru and former Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. Her areas of interest are Developmental Psychology, Community Mental Health Programmes for Children and Adolescents in, Primary Health Care personnel and Anganawadi Workers. She has been involved in training of lay child counsellors.

Dr Mami is a naturopathic doctor specialising in holistic health and traditional Japanese dietary practices. She promotes well-being through unique natural and cultural methodologies.

Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma is a neuroscientist who also explores the intersection between Buddhism and traditional healing. 

Maria Claudia currently serves as the Climate Justice Policy Manager at Catalyst Miami. Within this role she is able to connect with community members throughout Miami-Dade County, engaging them in equitable climate policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Maria Claudia began her career as a place-based climate educator designing experiential courses for high school students. She later worked with educators and youth supporting the implementation of climate education in classrooms throughout the East Coast of the United States. Outside of work, Maria Claudia engages in activities that foster joy and nurture community.

Dr. Meera S. Neelakantan holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. Her research focuses on school mental health, socio-emotional learning, and mindfulness.  Her work bridges research and practical application, with a focus on enhancing mental health through innovative programs and community involvement.

Dr Meetu Khosla is a Professor at Delhi University, actively engaged in an ICSSR research project on micro-momentary emotional expressions. She teaches and researches extensively across areas including Health Psychology, Cultural Identity, Cognitive Psychology, and Counselling.

Dr Micheal Zirkler is the Co-Head Center for Organizational Behavior, Researcher and Lecturer at the ZHAW School of Applied Psychology. His expertise lies in Leadership and Leadership Development, New Work, and Transcultural Psychology.

Dr Njoki Nathani Wane is Chair of the Department of Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, Canada. Wane’s research interests include African Indigenous knowledges, spirituality, anti-colonial, decolonial, and decolonization theory.

Dr Najma Agherdien currently works at the Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD), University of the Witwatersrand. Her most recent publication is 'Enabling transformation through socially just critical pedagogies in a health and wellbeing course

Dr. Patricia Elizabeth Cossío Torres is a Research Professor at the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, specializing in psychosocial factors affecting adolescents and community environmental health. Her work includes diagnosis and interventions, drawing insights from health education and potentially Mexican health practices.

Petra is a dual-licensed Intern, registered in Mental Health and Marriage & Family. She has been providing counseling services since 2017 and is dedicated to offering high-quality counseling services tailored to each client's unique needs. Petra takes pride in creating a secure, nurturing, and non-judgmental environment to discuss your thoughts and emotions and work towards achieving a happier and healthier life. Petra is a certified Peer specialist and Whole Health Life Coach.

Holding key roles at Assumption University of Thailand's counseling and psychology programs, Dr Varma's expertise includes multicultural counselling and psychotherapy. Her work involves the exploration of psychological wellbeing through student support, counseling, and teaching.

Prakash Padakannaya is a professor of Psychology at CHRIST University, Bengaluru, India. He was trained in educational psycholinguistics and cognition. His research interests include reading, dyslexia, Psycho/Neurolinguistics, and cognition among preliterate, young-literate, adult-literate, and illiterate populations, employing multiple approaches that comprise behavioral (including eye-tracking), neural (brain imaging), and genetic techniques.

Mr Raghu Ananthanarayanan is the joint director of the Centre for Citta Vidyā and Indian Psychology, He is a trained Yoga Expert, Teacher and Coach in the lineage of Shri. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, often referred to as the father of modern Yoga.

Mr Raghu Ananthanarayanan serves as Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate College at the University of Cincinnati, where her leadership in Health Psychology can foster exploration into traditional healing and critical mental health. Formerly a Professor at Miami University, her work is grounded in robust statistical and research methods.

Dr Roshini Pillay currently works at the Department of Social Work, University of the Witwatersrand. Her research interests include the exploration of educator narratives, blended learning and she brings a critical lens to studying the education in South Africa

Dr Roy Moodley is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto's OISE, specializing in critical multicultural and diversity counseling and psychotherapy. His research interests include race, culture, psychoanalysis, global south psychologies, and traditional healing.

Dr. Sandra Dixon is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta and an Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge's Faculty of Education. Her extensive publications address critical issues such as racial trauma, anti-Black racism, faith, immigration, and culturally responsive counselling. As a Black woman and mental health professional, Dr. Dixon's intersecting identities inform her research, teaching, and practice, driving her commitment to impactful advocacy and transformative social change.

Dr Sherin P Antony is an Assistant Professor at CHRIST University. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in play therapy. 

Dr Silvia Reyes is a managing director at International Registry of Counsellor Education Programs (IRCEP). She aims to make counselling more accessible across cultures and draws from her vast expertise to create spaces where diversity and care can foster. 

Dr. Sreenath K is a highly regarded academic in Psychology and Human Resources. He holds an MSc in Applied Psychology and an MBA in Human Resources. His research expertise includes Grit, Resilience, Mindfulness, Yoga, Community Interventions, Literature Reviews, and Psychometric Testing. 

Dr Sylvia Kokunda is the CEO of Action for Batwa Empowerment Group (ABEG), an organization working to protect and promote the rights of Batwa in Uganda. In the 1990s, Batwa in the country were evicted from their ancestral lands – the forests of Ekyuya, Semuliki, Bwindi and Mgahinga

Dr. Ted Lo has been providing psychiatric services for about 15 years. He specialises in Cultural competence, exploring mental health issues among Asians and complementary & alternative medicine. 

Dr Tissy Mariam Thomas is an Assistant Professor at Department of Psychology, University of Kerala. Her research work on the gender identity and status of hijras inside and outside gharanas is noteworthy. Her research interests range from gender/transgender studies to social and cultural psychology to mental health.

Tony Benning graduated from Manchester Medical School in 1995 and undertook psychiatric training in the UK and Australia. He practices general adult psychiatry. His interests include cultural psychiatry, exceptional human experiences, indigenous mental health, and the interface between psychiatry and religion/spirituality. 

Dr Vaishali Raval works on culturally informed understanding of parenting, emotion, and psychopathology, with practical implications for youth in the world’s most populous countries, and the fastest growing minority groups in USA

Erica Lorentz, M.Ed., L.P.C. is a Jungian Analyst (IAAP) with forty year of clinical experience. Since 1988, she has lectured and taught classes and workshops throughout the US and in Canada. She has been a training analyst since 1998 (presently at the C. G. Jung Institute of New England). She does does individual, couples, and group work. While she has a deep and varied clinical background, she is deeply interested in what dreams, emotions, physical symptoms, and the inner imaginal realms are trying to teach her clients. She believes that anxiety, depression, anger, compulsion, illness, PTSD, etc. are all the body/psyche’s way of drawing our awareness to how we need to grow. 

Dr. Jessica Gladden has a Ph.D. in Social Work from Michigan State University and an M.S.W. from Grand Valley State University. She earned her B.A. from Cornerstone University with a major in music. Dr. Gladden has a variety of clinical experience in private practice with Fountain Hill Center for Counseling and Consultation, teaching trauma informed yoga at Grand Rapids Healing Yoga, founder and executive director of Thrive: A Refugee Support Program and as a therapist at the YWCA and several other agencies.

Dr. Praerna Chowdhury holds an Ayurvedic medicine degree, a master's in Clinical Yoga, and is a PhD scholar in Yogic Science. She is a Scientist at the Centre for Consciousness Studies at NIMHANS, where she studies the neurobiological basis of traditional practices on health and mental health. With over six years of research experience, she has several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Her work focuses on integrating traditional wisdom with modern science to inform healthcare, body-mind integration, and psychological well-being.

Dr. Ravindra P. Nagendra is an MD, PhD in Neurophysiology and an Additional Professor and Officer-In-Charge at the Centre for Consciousness Studies at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. He specializes in the neurophysiology of meditation and sleep. His research investigates the effects of mind-body practices like Yoga and meditation on sleep and the neural correlates of states such as a balanced mind and relaxed alertness & in experienced meditators. He also studies consciousness during sleep by examining the electrophysiological and phenomenological aspects of dreams. His special focus is exploring Neurovisceral integration (Brain-Body integration) measures in clinical conditions like depression. MCI and sleep, and the effect of life style intervention on these. He is recipient of National award from Associations of Physiologist and Pharmacologist of India for his work on meditation and sleep. Dr. Nagendra is a global collaborator, affiliated with various research groups and universities.

Ms. Suma Bhaskar holds an M.Sc. in Physiology, an M.Phil. in Neurophysiology, and is a final-year PhD scholar in Neurophysiology at the Centre for Consciousness Studies at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. In addition to extensive teaching experience in medical physiology, her research interests include cognitive and emotional brain processes, interoception, and neurophysiological signal analysis. Her current work focuses on the neurophysiological mechanisms of adolescent depression, specifically looking at working memory, attention, and emotion perception. She also studies the impact of interventions like yoga and counseling. She has hands-on experience with EEG and HRV analyses and is skilled in MATLAB and Python. Suma Bhaskar was awarded the Dr. R.N. Moorthy prize for her distinction in M.Phil, Neurophysiology.

Dr. Tanya (Toni) De Mello is a human rights lawyer with a unique background in economics, finance and operational management. With experience working in both the private and nonprofit sectors, she has co-founded two NGOs and worked for the United Nations in humanitarian aid. Tanya is an experienced coach and mediator.