zul-merali

 

Professor Merali Is a neuroscientist and pharmacologist by training (McGill University, University of Ottawa, and Wharton), with over 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications​. He strives to address mental and brain health challenges, locally, nationally, and globally. He is the past CEO of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (in Canada) and was the Founding Scientific Director of the Canadian Depression and Intervention Network. He is the Founding Director of the Brain and Mind Institute, with hubs in Kenya (serving East Africa) and Pakistan (serving South and Central Asia).

His research has spanned from the cellular and molecular mechanisms of stress-induced pathology to population-based approaches to mitigate impact of stress and trauma on brain health. He believes in integrative methods, building and bridging academic and community-based approaches, promoting a ‘neuron to neighbourhood’ approach. Furthermore, he is dedicated to the development of innovative and sustainable solutions for low and middle-income countries. This includes the deployment of digital and task-sharing approaches to promote early detection, prevention and intervention. His long-term objective is promoting brain and mental healthcare that is accessible, resource-sensitive, rights-based, and scalable.