IMH Showcase | May 2024

CHITHRA PREAM RAJU

IMH Marshall Fellow
UBC Mood Disorders Centre


Meet Dr. Chithra Pream Raju, a Marshall Fellow and dedicated Psychiatrist from India. Dr. Pream Raju’s research focuses on bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and maternal mental health at the UBC Mood Disorders Clinic, where she applies a holistic approach towards mental health. Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Pream Raju enjoys traveling, music, and dancing, always eager to explore new cultures and dance forms!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am a psychiatrist from India. I completed my residency training at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India. I continued as a Senior Resident (equivalent to a sub-specialty in Canada) in Forensic Psychiatry for a year and then moved to Adult Psychiatry for the next couple of years at the same institute. I am currently working as a fellow at the Mood Disorders Clinic after receiving the Marshall Fellowship Award for the years 2021/2022 and 2023/2024. My areas of interest include mood disorders with a focus on bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and maternal mental health with a holistic approach towards mental health.

Can you describe what kind of research you are involved in?

I am involved in various clinical trials focusing on the treatment of bipolar disorder, a severe mental illness characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression. I am working on research projects to understand the neurobiology of bipolar disorder, which may lead to the development of novel treatment agents for preventing and treating the recurrence of episodes. Additionally, I am involved in various other research projects on substance use disorders and trauma during childbirth in women.

Can you tell us about an interesting project or initiative you are working on?

The most interesting part of one of my projects is investigating whether the levels of neurochemicals in the brain, measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients with first-episode mania (which marks the onset of bipolar disorder), can predict the recurrence of future episodes over the next 10 years. The best aspect of this project is the follow-up MRS scans conducted over a decade. I am excited to be working on many new advances in the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, which remains an unsolved puzzle. What excites me most about my work is the impact of research on improving the functioning and quality of life for patients with bipolar disorder through new treatment advances.

What is the best piece of advice you can share with colleagues new to your department or UBC?

There are so many opportunities around you, and you have to keep looking for them and reach out to as many people as possible to connect with. This will eventually help you reach great heights in your career!

What are your interests and hobbies outside of work?

Traveling has always been very exciting, and I love to travel and explore different countries! I also love music and dancing, and I continue to enjoy learning new dance forms!

Besides your Marshall Fellowship, are there any other awards you’re particularly proud of?

  • Silver Jubilee Award for the Best Outgoing Student, 2019 – National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India.
  • Research Society of Alcoholism, The Junior Investigator Award, 2021 funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) for my research on ‘Management of Adult ADHD with Atomoxetine and its impact on the course of Alcohol dependence – A naturalistic follow-up study’.

If you are an IMH member and would like to share more about yourself and your research with the community, please contact IMH Research Manager Dr. Nicole Sanford at nicole.sanford@ubc.ca.