Invest visitor: Samir Kumar Praharaj

In the “INVEST visitors” series, we present visiting professors and fellows who have arrived at the flagship INVEST. This time we are introducing visiting professor Samir Kumar Praharaj.

I am Samir Kumar Praharaj, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India.

I am a clinical psychiatrist with a research focus on developmental psychopathology and child and adolescent mental health. I have been actively involved in cross-cultural research, including adolescent well-being surveys conducted through the Global Child and Adolescent Mental Health Study (GCAMHS) network, led by Professor Andre Sourander at the University of Turku.

Why do you want to visit INVEST?

I wish to visit INVEST to strengthen my collaboration with Professor Andre Sourander and his team at the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry. The visit will provide an opportunity to engage with leading researchers, exchange ideas, and develop joint projects that advance cross-cultural understanding of developmental psychopathology.

What do you expect/hope to achieve during your visit to INVEST?

During my visit, I aim to enhance our collaborative research within the GCAMHS network, explore new research methodologies, and gain insights into longitudinal and cross-cultural approaches. I also hope to build lasting academic partnerships that contribute to improving child and adolescent mental health globally.