Nepali-origin scientist Dr. Amrit Baral has started a postdoctoral fellowship in Drug Dependence Epidemiology at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
He recently received the highly competitive and prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is awarded to encourage research excellence, scientific leadership, and innovation.
Journey from medical science to public health research
Dr. Baral's educational journey began at Chongqing Medical University in China, where he received his MBBS degree. After serving as a physician in Nepal, he entered public health with an interest in the social determinants and prevention of diseases.
He then earned his MPH from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he was awarded the Dean's Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Global Diversity. After his MPH, he worked as a disease investigation specialist in the US public health system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He later began his PhD in Epidemiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where his research focused on the complex interrelationships between cannabis, psychedelics, cancer, and mental and cardiovascular health.
Cannabis and Psychedelics: Towards New Research Directions
Dr. Baral explored the relationship between the use of cannabis and psychedelic substances and health in older adults with cancer in his PhD research.
The medical uses of cannabis and psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin, LSD) are currently in the spotlight again around the world—particularly in the treatment of conditions such as cancer-related pain, drug-resistant depression, PTSD, and sleep disorders. Dr. Baral’s research has provided factual information about the potential benefits and risks seen in cancer patients using these substances.
His research findings have been presented at major scientific conferences in the US [such as ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology), APHA (American Public Health Association), and CPDD (College on Problems of Drug Dependence)] and published in scientific journals.
Johns Hopkins: A new chapter in research
Dr. Baral's postdoctoral fellowship, which began at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, will now focus on the relationship between cannabis, psychedelics, sleep, and chronic diseases.
Johns Hopkins—considered the world’s number one institution in public health—has been leading pioneering research into the scientific evaluation, legal policy, and public health impacts of such substances.
Dr. Baral says, “Both scientific research and societal attitudes toward cannabis and psychedelics are changing. I want to understand these issues from a public health perspective and contribute to policy development.”
His journey, which began in Nepal and culminated in a world-class research laboratory, has become an example not only for Nepal but also for the world, showcasing the potential of scientists from developing countries.
Dr. Baral says, “This is not just a representation of mine, but of the potential of future Nepali researchers.”
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