Faculty at DemCon

Prof Mathew Varghese

Dr. Mathew Varghese is a prominent Indian psychiatrist and former Head of Psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. He is a pioneer in geriatric psychiatry, dementia care, and psychiatric epidemiology with nearly four decades of experience. Notably, he led the landmark National Mental Health Survey of India (2016), which drastically reshaped countrywide mental health policies. He also co-authored the critical Dementia India Reports to improve public health awareness and caregiver support systems.He continues his clinical work as an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at St. John's Medical College.

Dr Sheeba Ninan

Dr Sheeba Ninan is a highly accomplished Senior Consultant in Geriatric Psychiatry based in Kozhikode, Kerala. She possesses extensive international experience, having previously trained and worked in the United Kingdom as a specialist registrar and consultant within the NHS. Currently, she balances prominent roles as a consultant at Meitra Hospital and a Senior Consultant for Tele-MANAS at IMHANS, Kozhikode. Furthermore, she serves as the president of the Kozhikode chapter of the Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), dedicating her expertise to advancing dementia awareness and older adult care.

Dr Athanu Biswas

Dr. Biswas is a highly distinguished senior Neurologist and Professor of Neurology at the prestigious Bangur Institute of Neurosciences and SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. With over two decades of clinical and academic excellence, he is a widely recognized pioneer in cognitive neurology, specialized dementia care, and movement disorders. An accomplished researcher, he has authored more than 150 medical papers and is a recipient of the prestigious Sun Pharma Award.

Dr Banika Ahuja

Dr Banika Ahuja is an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist, NHS specialist, and honorary lecturer at University College London (UCL) who specializes in trauma-informed, intersectional therapy for neurodiversity, complex trauma, and geriatric care. As the founder of B.Neurofit and the lead for the CST in India Project, she focuses extensively on dementia care and international cognitive healthcare training. Beyond her clinical and academic roles, she is a prominent mental health advocate known online as @mostlydesi.clinpsychologist, where she works to destigmatize mental health within the South Asian diaspora and mentors international students through her Namaste DClinPsy program.

Dr CT Sudhir Kumar of MHAT will be at DemCon

Dr Sudhir Kumar

Dr CT Sudhir Kumar, Consultant Psychiatrist at Mental Health Action Trust (MHAT), has several years of experience in dementia and elderly mental health services in the UK and India.

Dr Dominic Benjamin

Dr Dominic Benjamin is a Consultant Geriatrician and the Head of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Bangalore Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. He possesses extensive international qualifications, including an MRCP, FRCP, and a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) from the United Kingdom, alongside a DNB from India. With clinical expertise in managing dementia, fall prevention, and geriatric diabetes, his medical practice focuses heavily on restoring functional independence in elderly patients. Previously, he served as a consultant physician within the UK's National Health Service (NHS), where he pioneered a specialized "Hospital at Home" frailty service before returning to practice in India.

Dr Charlotte Kenten

Dr. Charlotte Kenten is an academic researcher and Operations Manager for the DeNPRU-QM at Queen Mary University of London, specializing in dementia care, organ donation, and pediatric end-of-life care. Key milestones include managing the major EMBED-Care initiative and co-developing the "D-Words" public engagement project, which received a King's Engaged Research Award in 2024 .

Dr Claudia Cooper

Dr. Claudia Cooper is a leading British academic who serves as the Deputy Institute Director and Centre Lead for Psychiatry at Queen Mary University of London. As a Consultant Psychiatrist, she actively treats patients within memory services for the East London NHS Foundation Trust. Her research focuses deeply on dementia prevention, reducing healthcare inequalities, and designing interventions that help elderly patients maintain independence at home. Additionally, she helps guide national healthcare strategies as a co-director for the NIHR Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases Policy Research Unit.

Dr Eoin Cotter

Dr. Eoin Cotter, PhD, is an applied neuroscientist currently serving as the Education, Engagement & Strategy Lead at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) at Trinity College Dublin. In this role, he oversees international educational portfolios, program operations across Trinity and UCSF, and advocates for brain health equity, neurodiversity, and dementia prevention. Previously, he managed scientific research and clinical trial education at the UCD Clinical Research Centre and served on the School of Pharmacy Leadership Team at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.

Dr Gloria Wong

Dr. Gloria Hoi Yan Wong is a leading academic and clinical psychologist specializing in dementia care, holding appointments at the University of Reading and The University of Hong Kong. As the Director of Training for the CST-HK Programme, she collaborated with University College London to adapt and scale Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), a vital non-pharmacological treatment that improves cognition and quality of life for people with dementia. Her government-commissioned research directly shaped Hong Kong's permanent Dementia Community Support Scheme, which provides essential integrated care to thousands of families.

Dr Harriet Demnitz King

Dr. Harriet Demnitz-King is an academic psychologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London. Her work focuses on dementia risk reduction, non-pharmacological interventions, and translating clinical evidence into public healthcare policies. She earned a BSc in Psychology from the University of York followed by an MSc and a PhD in dementia risk reduction from University College London (UCL). Her research has significantly advanced through large-scale clinical trials like the pan-European Silver Santé Study and the APPLE-Tree project.

Dr Iracema Leroi

Dr Iracema Leroi is a Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and Site Director of the Global Brain Health Institute. As a consultant clinician, she founded the Mind and Memory Clinic at St James' Hospital to treat individuals with complex neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Her research focuses heavily on global health equity and sensory-cognitive links, most notably serving as Chief Investigator for the EU-funded SENSE-Cog programme. She also leads Dementia Trials Ireland to expand national clinical trial infrastructure and heads the EMERALD-Lewy framework to improve diagnostic pathways for Lewy body dementia.

Dr Karthik Dhananjayan

Dr. Karthik Dhananjayan is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the Amrita School of Pharmacy. He holds a Ph.D. in Medicine from Western Sydney University, where he received an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship. Professionally, his work spans advanced academic teaching, institutional committees, and specialized healthcare advocacy. His research leverages computational models and molecular docking to study neuroscience, metabolomics, and pulmonary biology. Before joining Amrita, he expanded his expertise through postdoctoral research in vascular signaling at the MIGAL Galilee Research Institute in Israel.

Dr Joe Varghese

Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, MS, FRCPI, is a world-renowned cognitive aging specialist who serves as the Chair, Professor, and Endowed Chair of Neurology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Appointed in late 2024 after a distinguished 24-year tenure at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His pioneering work focuses on how aging and neurological diseases affect mobility and cognition, viewing gait as a preclinical marker for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Notably, he led the development of "5-Cog," a brief, culturally unbiased dementia-screening tool recognized by the NIH as a top human health research highlight of 2024. Today, he balances active federal research grants with clinical practice at Stony Brook University Hospital, specializing in dementia, gait disorders, and geriatric neurology.

Dr M Malaiappan

Dr. M. Malaiappan is a highly respected Consultant Psychiatrist based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He has extensive clinical and administrative experience, notably serving as the former Director of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Kilpauk. He holds an MD in Psychiatry and specializes in treating depression, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Beyond general psychiatry, he is widely recognized for his work in substance de-addiction, marital counseling, and providing inclusive, queer-friendly mental health advocacy.

Dr Martin Bruno

Dr. Martín Alejandro Bruno is a distinguished Argentine neuroscientist and the Director of the Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas at the Universidad Católica de Cuyo. His groundbreaking research focuses on how genetic, environmental, and socio-economic disparities uniquely drive dementia and Alzheimer’s disease across Latin America. As a key investigator with the regional ReDLat consortium, he examines the impact of lifelong stress, poverty, and healthcare barriers on brain health. Dr. Bruno also pioneers advanced genetic tracking to study immune system responses during early cognitive decline. Ultimately, his work aims to bridge global healthcare gaps by creating accessible, digital screening tools for early dementia detection in vulnerable communities.

Dr Pretesh Kiran

Dr. Pretesh Kiran is a prominent public health physician and Associate Professor of Community Health at St. John's Medical College in Bengaluru. Specialising in geriatric care and community medicine, he serves as the coordinator for the Senior Citizen Health Service and the convener of the institution's Disaster Management Unit. His extensive academic work focuses on active ageing and health policies for India's elderly demographic, including contributions to the national PROTECT study. Recognized for his impactful community work, he was honoured with the 'DH Healing Hands' award for his medical service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond clinical operations, Dr. Kiran acts as a policy consultant for national ministries, advocating for age-inclusive urban development and a stronger elder-care economy. ministries, advocating for age-inclusive urban development and a stronger elder-care economy.

Dr Pranathi Ramanchandra

Dr. Pranathi Ramachandra is an old age psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and educator specializing in dementia care and global mental health policy. She works between India and the UK, serving as a Senior Consultant at Nightingales Medical Trust in Bengaluru and as a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Her extensive background includes an MSc in Global Mental Health from London and a Royal College of Psychiatrists certification. Additionally, she co-authored the Cambridge Prescriber's Guide in Psychiatry and has volunteered with Doctors Without Borders in Ethiopia.

Dr PT Sivakumar

Dr. P.T. Sivakumar is a prominent medical expert serving as a Professor of Psychiatry and the Head of the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru. He specializes in geriatric mental health, neurodegenerative disorders, late-onset depression, and the clinical management of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Beyond his clinical work, he is a leading researcher who serves as a co-investigator on major global longitudinal studies, including the India ENIGMA Initiative and the DAD-LASI project. Recognized for academic excellence, he received the 'Prof. Raguram Distinguished Young Teacher Award' from the Indian Psychiatric Society's Karnataka Chapter.

Dr Ravikesh Tripathi

Dr. Ravikesh Tripathi is an acclaimed mental health professional currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru. He specializes in geropsychology (the psychology of ageing), cognitive health, and forensic psychology. Prior to his academic appointment at NIMHANS, he served as a senior consultant at Narayana Health and an Assistant Professor at the National Forensic Sciences University. Dr.Tripathi has authored over 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications focusing heavily on mental health interventions, psychological well-being, and clinical assessments for the elderly. He is an executive committee member of the Clinical Psychology Society of India, actively working to bridge the gap between community mental health needs and structured clinical practice

Dr Roop Gursahani

Dr Roopkumar Gursahani is a distinguished Consultant Neurologist and Epileptologist based at Mumbai's P.D. Hinduja Hospital.He holds a DM in Neurology from Grant Medical College and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.While heavily experienced in treating complex seizure disorders, he is most renowned as India’s leading advocate for neuropalliative care.In 2024, the International Neuropalliative Care Society honored him with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work.As a core member of the ELICIT task force, he actively campaigns for patient autonomy and medical legal reforms.Most recently, he co-founded India's very first dedicated Living Will Clinic to assist patients with advance care directives.
His career beautifully bridges advanced clinical neurological science with compassionate, dignified end-of-life care planning.

Dr S Deepa

Dr. S. Deepa is a prominent geriatric specialist and the Director (Full Additional Charge) of the National Centre for Ageing (NCA) in Chennai. An Associate Professor of Geriatric Medicine, she previously taught and treated patients at the prestigious Madras Medical College. Her clinical expertise focuses on senior healthcare, nutritional disorders, and age-related chronic illnesses. Under her leadership, the NCA operates a 200-bed state-of-the-art facility providing comprehensive, free medical care to senior citizens. Dr. Deepa also collaborates with organizations like HelpAge India to ensure accessible, dignified, and smooth hospital navigation for elderly patients.

Dr Thomas Issac

Dr. Thomas Gregor Issac is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Brain Research (CBR), located within the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. As a prominent medical faculty member and senior consultant geriatric psychiatrist, he holds an MD in Psychiatry and a DM in Geriatric Psychiatry from NIMHANS, along with a PhD in Clinical Neurosciences. His primary research focuses on brain aging, cognitive decline, dementia, and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. At CBR, he leads multi-modal longitudinal cohort studies aimed at tracking healthy brain aging and identifying biomarkers for vascular cognitive impairment. Beyond clinical research, his work extends to neuro-interventions, geriatric advocacy, and developing social policies for elderly populations.

Dr Sen Varghese will speak at DemCon in Chennai

Dr Sen Varghese Kallumpuram

Dr. Sen Varghese Kallumpuram is a Psychiatrist who specializes extensively in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. Based within the NHS at the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), he provides highly specialized care to elderly patients through the Luton Memory Service. His clinical work focuses heavily on identifying early cognitive decline, managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and distinguishing organic dementia from other late-life mental health conditions. Recognizing his expertise, he was recently awarded specialist research fellowship funding to pioneer and expand dedicated older adult psychiatry research hubs across Luton and Bedfordshire. Through these initiatives, alongside his educational role as a Training Programme Director, he actively works to advance clinical standards and improve post-diagnostic support frameworks for dementia patients and their families.

Dr Suvarna Alladi

Dr. Suvarna Alladi, Professor and Head of Neurology at NIMHANS, is a globally recognized neurologist known for pioneering research in dementia and the cognitive benefits of bilingualism [1]. She established one of India’s first multidisciplinary memory clinics and leads the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative to decentralize care [1]. Furthermore, she developed the ICMR Neurocognitive Toolbox for standardized, multi-language dementia diagnostics [1]. Through her extensive clinical practice and academic leadership, she significantly impacts public health systems for neurodegenerative diseases.

Gita Jayaraj

Gita Jayaraj is an Indian researcher, writer, and editor pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT Madras, specializing in literature, theatre, and performance anthropology. An M.Phil. graduate from JNU and a Women Leading IITM Grantee, she has written extensively for publications such as Frontline and The Wire on marginalized South Indian art forms. As a family caregiver for a loved one living with dementia, she brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges, emotional realities, and care needs associated with dementia, enabling her to offer valuable insights grounded in lived experience alongside her research and storytelling expertise.

Neha Sinha

Neha Sinha is a clinical psychologist, Co-Founder, and CEO of Epoch Elder Care, a premier Indian provider specializing in professional assisted living and dementia care. At age 28, she pivoted the company from a home-care model to 24/7 managed residential facilities across Delhi NCR and Pune, actively combating the cultural stigma and family guilt associated with senior care in India. Recognized globally, she has been featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, invited to the exclusive Dementia Forum X in Stockholm, and serves on the board of the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI). A graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program at IIM Ahmedabad, she trained her nursing teams through Swedish Care International and regularly writes for national media to raise awareness on dementia management and caregiver burnout.

Dr Vasanth Karthikeyan

Dr. Vasanth Karthikeyan, a Senior Consultant Geriatrician and Group Medical Director at Geri Care India in Chennai, specializes in designing healthcare models for the elderly, including home care, assisted living, and skilled nursing. He manages complex multi-morbidities, dementia, and transitional rehabilitation while overseeing consulting services across several Geri Care clinics.

Nilanjana Maulik

Nilanjana Maulik’s dementia care model structures intervention into five critical phases: preventing well, diagnosing well, supporting well, living well, and dying well. Under her leadership, the ARDSI Calcutta Chapter brings these concepts to life by integrating the international Spark of Life Philosophy directly into day-care settings. This specialized approach prioritizes sensory stimulation and emotional reassurance to systematically boost self-esteem, rebuild functional memory, and restore human dignity to individuals living with cognitive decline.

Pavithra Gangadharan

Pavithra Gangadharan is a leading Indian healthcare entrepreneur specializing in geriatric and dementia care ]. With an M.Sc. in Psychological Sciences from Brunel University and an ISB business background, she blends clinical empathy with strategic management. As the founder of Hyderabad's Kshetra Assisted Living, she designs specialized residential and respite care models for seniors with Alzheimer's and cognitive decline. Beyond her facilities, she serves as the Joint Secretary of the Dementia India Alliance (DIA), where she champions non-pharmacological interventions like music therapy to support family caregivers. She also provides executive governance as a corporate director for Heritage ElderCare Services and Kshetra Care Solutions.

Rajit Mehta

Rajit Mehta is the Managing Director and CEO of Antara Senior Care (a subsidiary of the Max Group), which launched Antara Memory Care Homes specifically dedicated to providing professional and dignified care for seniors living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Under his leadership, Antara has significantly expanded its specialized dementia care services, culminating in its Gurgaon facility becoming India's first NABH-accredited (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) care home

Prof Ralph Martins

Professor Ralph Martins, AO, is a world-renowned Australian neuroscientist pioneering the early detection and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Based at Edith Cowan University and the University of Western Australia, he co-discovered that beta-amyloid protein build-up forms the destructive brain plaques characteristic of the condition. His current groundbreaking research focuses on developing affordable, non-invasive blood tests to identify dementia risk decades before symptoms surface. A passionate advocate for preventative health, Martins emphasizes that proactive lifestyle changes—such as targeted diet and exercise—can significantly lower neurodegenerative risk. For his monumental contributions to medicine, he was named Western Australian of the Year in 2010 and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2013.

Jessica Budgett

Jessica Budgett is a prominent British health researcher and academic who specializes in dementia care, psychosocial interventions, and support for family caregivers. Currently a Research Associate and Programme Manager at the Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health within the Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), her research utilizes mixed-method approaches to improve the independence and quality of life of individuals living with dementia. Her core scientific interests include developing non-pharmaceutical interventions, designing tailored support frameworks for family carers, and establishing personalized outcome measures for clinical settings.

Vaibhav Tewari will speak at DemCon in Chennai

Vaibhav Tiwari

Vaibhav Tewari is the Co-Founder and CEO of Portea Medical, India’s largest out-of-hospital home healthcare platform. With over 25 years of industry experience, he pioneered a scalable business model that delivers high-quality clinical care, dignity, and compassion directly to patients' homes. Under his strategic leadership, the company serves over 10 lakh patients across 40 cities, providing extensive support for chronic disease management, palliative care, and specialised elder care. For elderly individuals dealing with age-related illnesses or cognitive decline like dementia, Portea offers vital home services including trained nursing attendants, doctor consultations, and counselling. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and IIM Calcutta, Tewari is recognized for integrating tech-driven healthcare solutions that alleviate the burden on standard hospital infrastructure .

Dr Sridhar, Founding Member and Secretary of DIA will speak at DemCon 2026

Dr Sridhar Vaitheswaran

Dr. Sridhar Vaitheswaran is a Chennai-based Geriatric Psychiatrist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience. As the Director of the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), he specializes in psychosocial interventions and cognitive stimulation therapy for dementia patients.

Dr Rajinder Dhamija

Prof. (Dr.) Rajinder K. Dhamija is a highly distinguished Indian neurologist, researcher, and public health activist who currently serves as the Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in New Delhi. With roughly 30 years of extensive medical experience, he previously established and headed the Department of Neurology at Lady Hardinge Medical College. Academically accomplished, he holds an MD, DNB in Neurology, and an FRACP from the University of Melbourne, alongside completing a prestigious WHO Fellowship. He is globally recognized for his pioneering clinical research in stroke management and movement disorders, boasting over 140 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Beyond leadership, he is the Chair of Movement Disorders at the World Federation of Neurorehabilitation and an international advisor for the Royal College of Physicians in London. His exceptional contributions to medical education earned him the National Award for Science and Technology from the Government of India.

Asheesh Gupta

Asheesh Gupta is the Founder and CEO of Samarth Eldercare and Samarth Clinics for Healthy Ageing, an organization dedicated to supporting senior citizens and their families across India. Through his extensive writing, public webinars, and dedicated support platforms, he focuses heavily on the challenges of managing dementia and age-related cognitive decline. A core pillar of his work involves helping families—particularly Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)—navigate the complexities of long-distance caregiving by teaching them how to spot early signs of memory loss that are often dismissed as normal ageing. Mr.Gupta advocates for a caregiving philosophy rooted in empathy and specialized communication, emphasizing that family members should avoid confrontational corrections or memory testing, and instead rely on non-verbal reassurance and strict, predictable daily routines to reduce confusion and anxiety for the patient.

Dr Manoj will speak at DemCon in Chennai

Dr T Manoj Kumar

Dr. T. Manoj Kumar is a pioneering Indian psychiatrist and social entrepreneur best
known as the founder and Clinical Director of the Mental Health Action Trust (MHAT).
Established in 2008 in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala, MHAT provides comprehensive, free,
and community-led mental health care to the most economically backward sections of
society.

Dr Alex is on the governing body of Dementia India Alliance and will speak at DemCon

Dr Alexander Thomas

Dr. Alexander Thomas is a highly prominent Indian orthopedic surgeon, healthcare
policy pioneer, and institutional leader who has shaped India’s modern medical quality and
accreditation landscape over the last four decades. He is widely recognized as the founder,
patron, and former president of major national medical bodies, including the Association of
Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), the Association of National Board Accredited Institutions
(ANBAI), and the [Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO)] Additionally,
he is the former CEO and Director of Bangalore Baptist Hospital

Dr Srikala Bharath

Dr. Srikala Bharath is a highly distinguished Indian psychiatrist, academician, and life
skills mentor with over 40 years of clinical experience. She is a former Professor of
Psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, where she served as a faculty member for over 23
years until taking voluntary retirement in May 2016. She is widely celebrated for her
pioneering work in Geriatric (Old Age) Psychiatry, neurodegenerative diseases, and
adolescent life skills development.

Dr Sanjeev Jain

Dr. Sanjeev Jain is an eminent Indian psychiatrist, molecular geneticist, and academic
author who served as a Senior Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of
Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. With over three decades of
clinical teaching and neurobiology research, he is globally recognized for pioneering the
study of genetic and cellular correlations within complex psychiatric and neurological
diseases in India

Dr Soumya Hegde

Dr. Soumya Hegde is a highly accomplished Indian Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist
with 26 years of clinical experience. Based in Bengaluru, she is recognized as a leading
expert in old age psychiatry, specialized memory care, and holistic management strategies
for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Dr Murali Krishna

Dr. Murali Krishna is a highly distinguished, UK-trained Consultant Psychiatrist and
Senior Clinician Scientist with close to two decades of clinical and research experience.
He is widely recognized for bridging advanced clinical mental healthcare with cutting-edge
global research on cognitive aging and brain health.

Dr VK Paul of Niti Aayog to participate at DemCon 2026

Dr Vinod K Paul

Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul (popularly known as Dr. V.K. Paul) is a globally renowned Indian
pediatrician, public health visionary, and physician-scientist who served as the critical
architect of India's landmark healthcare reforms over the past decade. For nearly nine years,
he was a full-time Member of NITI Aayog heading the Health, Nutrition, and Human
Resource Development verticals. In April 2026, he transitioned from this long-standing
policy role following a broader reconstitution of the government think tank, being succeeded
by AIIMS Director

Dr Naganath Narasimhan Prem

Dr. Naganath Narasimhan Prem (frequently known as Dr. Prem Narasimhan or Dr. N.N.
Prem) is a pioneering Indian Elder Care Specialist and Consultant Geriatrician. He is widely
celebrated for establishing South Mumbai's first-ever dedicated geriatric hospital
infrastructure and serves as the Director of Medical Services at The Wisdom Club, an elite
initiative dedicated to premium cognitive wellness, active aging, and memory rehabilitation

Ramani Sundaram

With over 16 years of experience in dementia and elder care, Ramani is a passionate neuroscientist committed to improving the lives of seniors, currently serving as the Executive director of Dementia India Alliance. She brings deep expertise in brain health, neuropsychiatric assessments, personalised care planning, and program leadership, and has designed and led impactful dementia care and active aging initiatives across the country.
Her work spans from hands-on care to national advocacy—managing grants, driving fundraising, capacity building and shaping policy to ensure high-quality, compassionate dementia care.

Dr Steve Paul Manjaly

Dr. Steve Paul Manjaly is a highly respected Indian physician and Consultant
Geriatrician (elder care specialist) with over a decade of core experience in geriatric internal
medicine. Based in Bengaluru, he is widely recognized for his holistic, patient-first approach
to preserving functional independence and improving the quality of life for older adults.

Dr Jayashree Dasgupta

Dr. Jayashree Dasgupta is a highly accomplished Indian Clinical Psychologist,
neuropsychologist, and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of clinical and research
experience. Following the established clinical trajectory of this conversation, she is a
leading national expert in dementia care, healthy aging, and neuropsychological
interventions. She is globally recognized for developing contextually informed and culturally
adaptable models of care to address the massive diagnosis and treatment gaps in low- and
middle-income regions.