July 2024

ALOK KULKARNI

IMH Marshall Fellow & Psychiatrist
UBC Mood Disorders Centre

Meet Dr. Alok Kulkarni, a Psychiatrist from India and an IMH Marshall Fellow at UBC’s Mood Disorders Centre. Dr. Kulkarni has contributed significantly to the field of Psychiatry through his private practice and clinical research, including current work on novel treatments for Bipolar Disorder and identifying sex differences in treatment responses. An avid sports enthusiast and mental health advocate, Dr. Kulkarni brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his work and community.

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

After completing my postgraduation in Psychiatry from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) at Bangalore, I completed a clinical fellowship in tele-psychiatry from the same institute. Following this, I completed the UK Royal College (MRCPsych) exams and entered private practice. In India, I work at an exclusive psychiatric hospital which has an in-patient facility as well as a large cohort of people with mood disorders and severe mental illness. Currently, I am working as a Fellow in the Mood Disorders Centre at UBC after having been awarded the IMH Marshall Fellowship for the year 2022-23.

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

I am involved in clinical trials examining the efficacy of novel drugs to treat Bipolar Disorder, a severe mental illness characterized by dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and activity levels. These recurrent periods of “highs” (hypomania / mania) and “lows” (depression) can substantially disrupt a person’s interpersonal and social functioning. The UBC Mood Disorders Centre is conducting several clinical trials to discover newer treatments for Bipolar Disorder that could address persistent treatment gaps. While some trials are examining novel drugs to improve cognitive functioning, others are examining drugs to treat the depressive phase of Bipolar Disorder.

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

I am examining if the time-to-occurrence of any mood episode (hypomania / mania / depression) is different between men and women being treated for Bipolar I depression, using data from a recently published trial in The New England Journal of Medicine by Dr. Lakshmi Yatham and colleagues. Our findings will inform clinical practice by allowing psychiatrists to consider sex differences in treatment response.

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

The UBC Mood Disorders Centre and the Centre for Brain Health are vibrant workplaces. One will have the opportunity to interact with a lot of inter-disciplinary staff and faculty members. It is important to reach out to as many people as you can to explore areas for collaborative research.

What are your interests and hobbies outside of work?

I enjoy playing a variety of sports including badminton and tennis. I have taken to hiking after coming to British Columbia and hope to make this a lifelong affair! I enjoy sharing information on mental health and have written for a number of news outlets and magazines. I find swimming very relaxing but do it only in good weather conditions!

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.