Anushka Irani, B.M., B.Ch., Ph.D.

What moment or experience in your life influenced your decision to be a clinician?

I never intended to go into medicine — with my parents being doctors, I wanted to take a different path. But in the end, I couldn't find a better way to combine my love of science, deep interest in human biology and physiology, and desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. My clinical research still reflects all these passions.

What motivated you to become a Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar?

Having gained expertise during my doctoral and postdoctoral research in the neurobiological mechanisms of chronic pain, my top priority was to translate these findings into improved clinical care. This is perfectly aligned with the center's goals and was the main driver to apply.

What is your focus and goal as a scholar within the Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery?

My focus is on identifying and implementing better ways to assess and deliver individualized treatment strategies for people with chronic pain and fibromyalgia. I aim to leverage the latest technology to harness novel approaches to capturing physiological measurements as part of the clinical pipeline.

Tell us about your mentoring team.

I am very excited to work closely with my research mentor, Emma Fortune Ngufor, Ph.D. She is an expert in using advanced wearable technology to undertake remote monitoring and, ultimately, promote physical activity and well-being.

My clinical mentor and the division chair of rheumatology, Vikas Majithia, M.D., M.P.H. understands the importance of this project and is keen to see Mayo Clinic deliver world-leading care for patients with chronic pain, who are so often underserved.

I am also fortunate to be mentored by LaTonya J. Hickson, M.D., chair of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension. As the associate chair of research and innovation and a former Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar, she is an invaluable source of research expertise, deeply familiar with Mayo Clinic's infrastructure, a seasoned investigator and a generous mentor.

How will your research improve patient care or impact public health?

My research has the ambitious — but achievable — goal of conducting an asynchronous, holistic patient assessment outside the context of a traditional in-person clinic appointment. This will pave the way toward providing evidence-based methods to stratify patients and deliver tailored treatment plans, resulting in improved quality of life and more streamlined care.

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic to pursue your career

Mayo Clinic offers a unique environment where clinical excellence and research innovation are top priorities. Its multidisciplinary approach and commitment to tackling complex, often overlooked conditions make it the ideal setting to advance research and drive meaningful change to the areas I am passionate about — chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

Tell us three words that describe you.

Creative, curious, compassionate.

Outside of work, what is one thing you like to do?

I love to practice yoga because it helps me create a sense of physical and mental balance. It's a space where I can reconnect the mind and body, reset, and build the clarity and resilience I need in my personal and professional life.