*1961 | India
Field: Natural Sciences
My Work:
Director & Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru
Brief description of activities:
Research on addiction, training programs in mental health, human rights, and history
Pratima Murthy
"Science and research aren't just exciting, but ultimately aim to improve things for us and our environment. It's a wonderful field to work in, and if you strive to excel, you can make a real difference.
Be passionate, be confident, work hard, believe in yourself and in your ability to bring about change and make things better."
Did you have a clear idea of what your future would look like when you were a child? How did that evolve? Did your vision come true?
I had the privilege of attending a school with outstanding teachers, many of whom served as role models for me later in my professional life. They encouraged us greatly and always motivated us to do our best. I worked hard both in school and in extracurricular activities. Biology and chemistry were my favorite subjects. However, I didn’t have a clear idea of my calling or future until I reached pre-university education. At the time I was growing up, the only two fields considered “worthy” in the academic world were engineering or medicine.
Which person(s) or experience(s) had the greatest influence on your decision about what career to pursue, and why?
I wanted to work in a healthcare profession, but I knew that opportunities were limited at the time. Good grades in high school helped me secure a spot at a top-tier medical school, and I became the first doctor in my family. The strong relationships I was able to build with my patients, combined with my curiosity about the mind and the brain, led me to consider psychiatry as a specialty. Here, too, the opportunity to work at a renowned institution for mental health and neuroscience and enjoying my first few months there were decisive factors in my decision. The motivation and inspiration I received from teachers and colleagues, as well as the satisfaction I found in working with people with psychiatric disorders, were important factors in my professional advancement.
Please tell us how your interest in your profession, field of study, or trade was sparked.
My interest in internal medicine led me to addiction treatment and research within the field of psychiatry. I was interested in both genetic and environmental risk factors for addiction. My research focused on evaluating treatments and investigating factors that improved treatment outcomes. My interest in translational research was sparked by my involvement in improving addiction treatment facilities and establishing a toxicology laboratory to objectively validate substance use. Another research interest was the expansion of psychiatric and addiction medicine services for the community, as well as the enhancement of training through the use of technology.
What do you like most about your current job?
My current leadership role gives me the opportunity to bring individuals and teams together to improve services based on scientific research at the national level. It has been exciting to mentor young faculty members and students and encourage them to focus on national priorities in the areas of mental health and substance use prevention. It has also been exciting to use technology to improve service delivery and see how it reaches those who are underserved. I also love being a teacher and seeing my students grow, develop greater skills, and participate in innovations for better mental health and addiction care.
These qualities have helped me along the way:
It has helped me to stay optimistic and hopeful, to work hard, to make the most of opportunities, to be passionate about my work, and to persevere in my endeavors. The encouragement I received from loved ones, colleagues, and mentors has also been very important along the way. The desire to make a difference myself is also a powerful driving force.
If you could give young women some advice, what would it be?
Have confidence in yourself and your abilities, set high standards for yourself, but also consider alternatives. Build resilience, nurture your support system, and learn to set priorities at different stages of your life. Always do your best in everything you do. Work hard to be the best version of yourself.
Contact information
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