Team

Dr Sonu M. M. Bhaskar, MD PhD FANA is the Founding Director and Chief Investigator of NSW Brain Clot Bank and Global Health Neurology Lab. Currently, Dr Bhaskar is on a sabbatical as Visiting Director, Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC), Osaka, Japan (2023–25). Dr. Bhaskar is an award-winning physician-scientist, board director, and neurologist with a specialization in vascular neurology & neuroradiology and a clinician-researcher with a strong focus on clinical neurology, translational neuroscience, global health, and health systems. Besides interdisciplinary and collaborative research in neurology, Dr. Bhaskar leads national and international initiatives on reducing health disparities, with a focus on vulnerable populations and under-resourced settings. Serving at leading inter-governmental & international panels, committees, and boards, Dr. Bhaskar’s research and leadership have been highly influential in policy and practice, both in Australia and internationally. 

He has published over 120 peer-reviewed scientific articles in top-tiered journals, attracting >18,000 citations (with an H-index of 43 on Google Scholar), and his work has been covered by leading Australian and international media outlets. Dr. Bhaskar has been featured in Sydney Morning Herald, 9 News, Reuters Health/Medscape, Rotary Down Under, Global Indian, Indian Link, and ABC News-MSN. Dr. Bhaskar has been recognized in Australia and overseas for his pioneering contributions to medicine, medical research, and the broader community, including the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Investigator Award (two-times winner) [2019], Rotary Vocational Excellence Award [2020], multiple Paul Harris Fellow recognitions (3X) (Sapphire) by Rotary International, Top 40 under 40 Most Influential Asian Australian Leadership Award [2022], Australian Global Talent Award [2023], IABCA Australia-India Science, Research and Development Award [2023] and JSPS International Fellowship (supported by the Japanese Ministry of Science & Education & Australian Academy of Science) [2023], among others..

Dr. Bhaskar is passionate about advocacy and leadership for social impact and innovation, rooted in diversity, inclusion, community, and belonging. Beyond medicine, Dr. Bhaskar loves classical music, languages, deep conversations on history, culture, and music over red wine (his favorite being Vino Rojo de La Rioja), traveling, chess, and poetry. He is learning Japanese and Classical Hebrew, dabbles in theology and philosophy of life, and is addicted to Sephardic music, Rabindra Sangeet, Dreidel, and Jewish folktales.

For more on Dr Bhaskar, click here.

Sian is currently based at Liverpool Hospital and affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campuses of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of New South Wales. Sian’s area of interest is diabetes and its effect on stroke outcomes, particularly after reperfusion therapy. Since joining the Global Health Neurology Team in mid-2020, Sian pursued clinical research and training in vascular neurology under Dr Sonu Bhaskar and has been involved in several research projects on the role of diabetes in mediating outcomes after stroke, its impact on outcomes in COVID-19 hospitalized patients as well as the role of telemedicine during and beyond COVID-19. Findings from her research have been published in high-impact journals including the Journal of Diabetes, Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Frontiers in Public Health, and EMJ Diabetes. She is passionate about neurology, family health, and refugee health. Her hobbies include swimming, reading, and playing with her dog.

Affiliated to the University of New South Wales Medicine, Ming-Yee is interested in working at the interface between oncology and neurology. She joined Global Health Neurology Lab in the fall of 2021 to pursue clinical research and training in stroke and neurology under Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. In the lab, she is exploring the pathophysiological link between stroke and cancer, examining the overlap of underlying risk factors and pathogenic states to determine the optimal therapeutic strategies both pharmacologically and in clinical practice. During breaks from studying and research, Ming loves to dance, play netball, and jam with her saxophone quintet!

Joanna (Jo) joined Global Health Neurology Lab in the fall of 2021 to pursue clinical research and training in stroke and neurology, within the NSW Brain Clot Bank program, under the mentorship of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Jo’s research interests are at the intersection of neurology and pathology. In the lab, Jo is working on a project looking at how the morphology of stroke thrombi corresponds with clinical etiology, outcomes, and interventions. She is interested in health from a holistic point of view and is passionate about every patient’s voice being heard. For fun, she loves to sing, dance, and bake!

Shirin joined the Global Health Neurology and Translational Neuroscience Team in the spring of 2020 to pursue clinical research and training in neurology and neuroradiology under the supervision of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Her project investigates the usefulness of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as an imaging and interventional modality, particularly assessing its value in the diagnosis and prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke patients. Her work has been recently accepted for publication in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, such as Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery & Acta Neurologica Belgica. Aside from her studies, she enjoys painting, teaching chemistry to high school students, and representing her university and club teams at ultimate frisbee tournaments.

Aarushi joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in early 2020, affiliating with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of UNSW Sydney Medicine. Under the supervision of Dr Sonu Bhaskar, her research focuses on the study of the effects of white matter lesions on outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke patients receiving reperfusion therapy. Findings from her research project have been recently published in peer-reviewed journals, including the European Journal of Neuroscience, Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, and Acta Radiologica. Aside from her studies, she is passionate about global health and is part of the Medical Students’ Aid Project (MSAP) executive committee, the global health group at UNSW. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, cooking, and travelling.

DIvyansh joined the Global Health Neurology Lab led by Dr. Sonu Bhaskar in mid-2020 and is affiliated with the St George & Sutherland Campuses of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of New South Wales. Divynash’s project revolves around exploring the potential for the use of blood-based biomarkers in prognostication for acute ischemic stroke patients, along with their utility in stratifying patient care and informing secondary stroke prevention. In particular, he focuses on those biomarkers that can be obtained from standard blood panels and are thus low-cost and easily accessible. In addition to the research, he is also passionate about public health, mental health, and medical education. In his free time, he likes to play sports (particularly cricket), is an avid reader, and likes to sing.

Akansha’s research focuses on the role of cerebral collaterals in mediating outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke patients receiving reperfusion therapy. Akansha joined the team in 2020 to pursue clinical research and training under the mentorship of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar and has been involved in several projects in the lab, from delineating the role of collaterals in stroke to epidemiological studies on the prevalence of mucormycosis in COVID-19. Her work has been published in Neurology International, Frontiers in Immunology, and the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology. She is passionate about having a positive impact, whether it be large or small, through her work and demeanour. In her free time, Akansha loves going on spontaneous trips with family/friends, dancing, and playing badminton.

Anubhav Katyal joined the Global Health Neurology Lab team in early 2020. Anubhav completed his thesis under the supervision of Dr Sonu Bhaskar at the Liverpool Hospital and Ingham Institute in Liverpool. Primarily stationed at the Liverpool Hospital, Anubhav is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campuses of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of New South Wales. Findings of Anubhav’s research in our group led to several publications, including in the European Journal of Neurology, Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, Acta Radiologica, and Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology. Anubhav graduated as the Dux of Girraween High School in 2015, achieving an ATAR of 99.90. In his free time, Anubhav enjoys playing the piano and cooking recipes from various cuisines. He enjoys socializing with friends, and he hopes to travel to many countries, including Japan, in the future.

Shraddha joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in 2022. Under the supervision of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar, her research focuses on cerebral microbleeds, their prevalence, and how they mediate outcomes after acute ischaemic stroke. She is based out of Liverpool Hospital and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. Her clinical interest lies in neurology, having gained valuable experience through internships at the Melbourne Neuroscience Institute and UNSW’s Brain in Health and Disease GERRIC program under the mentorship of Professor Ken Ashwell. Additionally, she harbors a keen interest in medical education and teaching. She has a twin sister, who is also pursuing medicine and loves playing with her dog. In her free time, she loves to read, cook, sing Carnatic Music, dance, and tutor.

Seemub is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at UNSW Sydney and has been a member of the research team under the mentorship of Dr Sonu Bhaskar since early 2020. His research is concerned with improving the response to stroke in the paramedic setting by reducing pre-hospital treatment delays (TEFLON-X). Findings emanating from his research with the team have been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including Academic Emergency Medicine, SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine, and Acta Neurologica Scandinavica.

He was born and raised in Sydney. Seemub’s parents immigrated to Australia from Bangladesh, a country to which he has a close connection, visiting Bangladesh usually every two years where he has many family members. Seemub has one brother who is two years younger. They share many interests and have a healthy sibling rivalry. One of these interests is soccer.

Soccer is one of Seemub’s greatest passions, from playing to watching. He is a staunch supporter of the English team Liverpool FC and is often tired during classes on Monday due to watching games the night before. He has played since childhood and is currently the captain of his local team, Roselea FC, with the players all being his friends from high school. As Seemub is lucky to live close to the bush, bushwalking is one of his favorite activities. He also enjoys reading and writing. Seemub thoroughly enjoyed English during high school, and creative writing is something he wishes to further pursue in the form of a minor course at UNSW.

Seemub is passionate about helping others. In the past, he has been involved in volunteering to aid refugee children in education, building relationships with socially isolated nursing home residents, and providing entertainment and care for children from financially disadvantaged communities. These experiences are some of Seemub’s most cherished achievements, and he hopes to build on this in a career in medicine and medical research.

Raisa joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in 2022, to pursue research on ethnic and geographical disparities in timely access to acute stroke care, under the supervision of Dr. Sonu M. M. Bhaskar.

Based out of Liverpool Hospital and affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, she brings a background in Neuroscience from the University of Western Australia (Perth). This foundation has deeply rooted her interests in Neurology, sparked by a profound fascination with the intricate workings of the brain and the boundless potential for innovation within the broader field of brain sciences.

Her research pursuits span diverse areas, encompassing stroke, regenerative medicine, and advancements in wound healing outcomes for burns.

Raisa is passionate about equity and is an active member of the UNSW Youth Neuro Australia. In her spare time, Raisa explores her drive for people, arts, and culture, through dance.

Based out of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Fairfield Hospital, Prithvi joined the team in early 2020 to work under the supervision of Dr Sonu Bhaskar. His research focuses on health systems and acute stroke pathways, through the analysis of acute stroke workflows and treatment time delays to inform opportunities for practice improvement and fast-track time-critical treatment. Prithvi’s research in the group has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine, and Academic Emergency Medicine.

Affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campuses of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Prithvi is passionate about creating a positive impact in society through volunteering, research, and future medical practice. He is excited to be a part of the forefront of medical research at the intersection of emergency medicine and acute neurology, to improve future medical practice. Prithvi also loves fitness, basketball, and teaching, the latter of which he hopes to increasingly do as he progresses in his academic career. He hopes to engage in the fundamentals of research, appreciate its importance in guiding evidence-based practice, and make a positive contribution to neurology in the coming years.

Chenyu (Nick) joined the team in 2020 to pursue clinical research, on non-invasive imaging biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of stroke, under the mentorship of Dr. Sonu M. M. Bhaskar. His work has been published in Acta Neurologica Belgica, the official journal of the Belgian Neurological Society. Nick hails from China and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. Nick is interested in working at the intersection of neuroscience and cardiology as well as sports medicine. Nick enjoys playing sports and painting. 

Shirley Chen, UNSW Sydney

Shirley joined Global Health Neurology and Translational Neuroscience Lab in the fall of 2021 to pursue clinical research and training in stroke and neuroimaging, within the NSW Brain Clot Bank program, under Dr. Sonu M. M. Bhaskar. Shirley is based out of Liverpool Hospital and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Australia. She is passionate about working at the intersection of neurology and neuroimaging. Shirley pursues an exciting project that focuses on lesion topography and its association with clinical outcomes after stroke, especially in patients receiving reperfusion therapy. During the breaks from studying and clinical training, she loves volunteering with friends, listening to music, and trying out new things such as baking, and enjoys cooking recipes from various cuisines.

Helen is based out of Liverpool Hospital and affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. In 2022, she joined the Global Health Neurology Lab to pursue clinical and research training in neurology and imaging under the guidance of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Her research is dedicated to understanding the occurrence of and factors associated with poor outcomes following endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke patients.

The loss of a close family member to stroke has fueled Helen’s passion and commitment to conducting research and working in the field of Neurology. She aspires to make a tangible difference in the management of stroke patients through her work. Helen holds keen research interests in neuroimaging, socio-economic barriers to healthcare access, and stroke prevention and management.

Outside of medicine, Helen enjoys expressing her creativity through digital art, staying active by playing basketball, and cherishing moments with friends.

Samprithi Raja, UNSW Medicine

Samprithi joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in 2023 to pursue clinical and research training under the supervision of Dr Sonu Bhaskar. Her research focus is on the clinical and imaging predictors of cognitive disorders after acute ischaemic stroke. Samprithi is based out of the Liverpool Hospital affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. Samprithi’s research interests lie at the intersection of cerebrovascular disease and cardiology. She has pursued her passion for promoting health literacy on a community level through involvement in executive and committee roles in Medical Outreachers Australia and the Medical Students’ Aid Project. Outside of medicine, Samprithi enjoys reading, kayaking, and travelling.

Bill Goh, UNSW Medicine

Bill joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in mid-2023 to pursue research and clinical training in Neurology under the guidance of Dr Sonu Bhaskar. His project centers on the development and application of machine learning models in the field of stroke. Bill is based out of Liverpool and Bankstown Hospitals and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. In his leisure time, he enjoys reading.

Spiro Menounos, St George Hospital

St George & Sutherland Campuses, School of Medicine, UNSW Sydney

Spiro is based out of St. George Hospital, Sydney, and is affiliated with the St. George & Sutherland Campuses, School of Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. He joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in mid-2024 to further pursue clinical research in Neurology under Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Spiro’s interests include neurology, public health, medical education, and teaching. Outside of work, he loves listening to music, writing, and spending time with his fiancée and nephew.

Paniz Sangi, UNSW Sydney

Originally from Iran, Paniz joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in mid-2023 to pursue research and clinical training under the guidance of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Her project centers on investigating the relationship between stroke and seizures. Paniz is based out of Liverpool Hospital and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. Her research interests converge at the intersection of neurology and imaging. In her free time, Paniz enjoys swimming, dancing, and bushwalking.

Mansi Gandhi, UNSW Sydney

Mansi’s primary area of interest in research lies within vascular neurology and diagnostic interventions concerning brain hemorrhages. Currently stationed at Liverpool Hospital, she is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical School of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. She joined the Global Health Neurology team in 2024 under Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Fuelled by her fascination for the human brain’s capabilities and personally driven based on real-life experiences of stroke sufferers, she is driven to make a lasting impact not only on her team but also through presenting her research and getting involved in multiple projects on related topics. She plays key roles within the medical society and currently represents the student body at Liverpool Hospital. Her other interests include reading, cooking, exploring the beaches in Australia, and participating in Indian contemporary dance.

Shawn Yang, UNSW Sydney

Shawn’s area of interest uniquely merges the fields of technology and global health, with a special focus on how technological advancements can enhance neurology and healthcare. Having joined the Global Health Neurology Lab under the supervision of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar, Shawn is driven by a fascination with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in medical settings. His academic journey is marked by a multidisciplinary background that encompasses coding, art, photography, filmmaking, engineering, and global health. This diverse skill set fuels his enthusiasm for cross-disciplinary innovations that have the potential to revolutionise healthcare practices.

Shawn is particularly intrigued by the potential of non-medical technological advances to provide innovative solutions in the healthcare sector. His academic pursuit is characterized by a commitment to staying abreast of the rapid developments in technology and medicine, with a keen interest in how these advancements could improve healthcare delivery and neurological care.

Rachel Tan, UNSW Sydney

Rachel Tan is based out of Liverpool Hospital and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. She joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in early 2024, under the supervision of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Rachel is interested in working within neurology and cardiology, with a particular focus on pursuing clinical research in stroke and related diseases. Through her experience in research, she hopes to gain insights into the complexities of neurological and cardiovascular disorders, as well as how to develop holistic solutions to address them, from both policy and biochemical perspectives.

Outside of medicine, Rachel enjoys playing volleyball and touch rugby, as well as traveling and exploring different cultures.

Darryl Chen, UNSW Sydney

Darryl joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in 2024 to pursue clinical research and training in neurology, stroke, and neuroimaging under the supervision of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. He is based out of Liverpool Hospital and is affiliated with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. Darryl is interested in the field of neurology, particularly in the field of stroke and improving prognostic outcomes for stroke patients. Outside of medicine, Darryl enjoys playing and listening to music, cooking, as well as travelling to different countries.

Chelsea Jin, UNSW Sydney

Chelsea, currently based at Sutherland Hospital and affiliated with St George & Sutherland Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in 2024 to undertake clinical research and training in stroke and neurology under the mentorship of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. Chelsea’s interests lie in cerebrovascular diseases, particularly in the role of innovative diagnostic tools and interventional modalities in improving outcomes for stroke patients. She is driven to provide care to both local and global communities, which she promotes through her involvement in the Medical Students’ Aid Project. Outside of clinical studies, she enjoys reading, matcha desserts, and exploring natural landscapes.

Muskaan Gupta, UNSW Sydney

Muskaan joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in 2024 to pursue clinical and research training under the supervision of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar. She is currently based at Liverpool Hospital and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus in the School of Clinical Medicine at UNSW Sydney, Australia. Muskaan is interested in neurology as she is fascinated by the complexity of the brain.

Through real-life experiences, Muskaan understands the debilitating consequences that neurological disease can have and is hence committed to undertaking research in this field in hopes of improving the quality of life for affected patients. She is also passionate about improving health outcomes in vulnerable populations and currently volunteers with the Medical Students’ Aid Project Society to raise awareness of global health issues. Outside of medicine, Muskaan enjoys baking, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Kruthajn is currently based out of Port Macquarie Hospital, affiliated with the Rural Clinical School of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. In 2022, Kruthajn joined the Global Health Neurology Lab, delving into research on the pathophysiological link between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and stroke, under the guidance of Dr. Sonu Bhaskar.

With a passion for neurosurgery, Kruthajn is drawn to its endeavour to address some of the most severe disorders, recognizing the potential for continued research to enhance patient care in the coming decades. He is thrilled to contribute to this specialty’s cutting-edge medical research, aspiring to elevate future medical practices. Through volunteerism, research, and practice, he is enthusiastic about making a positive impact on society. Beyond medicine, Kruthajn is passionate about fitness, sport, music, and tutoring, all of which he aspires to do more of as his career grows.

Pathmesh Rajeswaran, UNSW Sydney

Pathmesh joined the Global Health Neurology Lab in mid-2023 to pursue research and clinical training under the guidance of Dr Sonu Bhaskar. His project centers on investigating how different stroke treatment choices impact patient outcomes, with a particular emphasis on exploring the relationship between stroke severity and post-treatment morbidity. Pathmesh is based out of Liverpool Hospital and is affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. His research interests converge at the intersection of neurology, rheumatology, and cardiology. He harbors a deep passion for promoting equity in healthcare and recognizes the crucial role of prevention in fostering healthier communities. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing the saxophone, reading, volunteering and playing sports.

Ashek is currently based out of Campbelltown Hospital, affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney. He harbors a keen interest in exploring the differential outcomes observed between posterior circulation and anterior circulation strokes. Areas of interest include investigating the etiology and clinical manifestations of conditions such as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Ashek’s focus lies within the realm of neurology, where he aims to delve deeper into investigating the etiology and clinical manifestations of conditions such as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

Deeply committed to promoting primary forms of healthcare to mitigate the need for tertiary healthcare and reduce the burden of disease, Ashek is driven by a passion for preventive medicine. He aspires to continually accumulate experiences that will enable him to effectively inform and empower both patients and fellow students with medical knowledge.

In his leisure time, Ashek finds solace and enjoyment in playing basketball and soccer, engaging in culinary pursuits through cooking, as well as indulging in short and long-distance running.

Vishni joined the Global Health Neurology Lab team in early 2020. Under the supervision of Dr Sonu Bhaskar, she pursued research on the role of collaterals in acute stroke decision-making. Vishni’s work has been published in the European Journal of Neuroscience.

Rohan joined the team in early 2021. Rohan is interested in working at the intersection of cardiology and neurology. His research project aimed at understanding factors associated with poor prognosis in acute ischaemic stroke patients with infective endocarditis. Beyond research, Rohan loves sports, especially cricket and soccer.

Jeremy is based out of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School. Prior to that, he was affiliated with the South West Sydney Clinical Campus of the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia. Jeremy’s primary interest lies in Neurology, particularly in utilizing imaging-based biomarkers to ascertain the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. He joined the team in mid-2020 and made significant contributions, including co-authoring a COVID-19 policy brief published in Frontiers in Public Health. This brief highlighted the critical issue of shortages in medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPEs). Apart from his dedication to the medical sciences, Jeremy is deeply passionate about dance. Additionally, he finds joy and fulfillment in rock climbing, further enriching his diverse range of interests and pursuits.