IAPEN INDIA CORE GROUP : NEURO NUTRITION
About the IAPEN INDIA Neuro Nutrition Core Group
Aim:
1. Generate nationally representative, practical evidence on diet–brain links across life-course and neuro conditions.
2. Develop and publish India-adapted clinical practice guidelines and protocols for neuro-nutrition.
3. Train and certify multidisciplinary professionals (neurologists, dietitians, rehab teams, nurses) in standard neuro-nutrition competencies.
4. Support development and validation of affordable Indian dietary therapies and enteral/ketogenic formulations.
5. Advocate with national agencies (NIN, ICMR, state health) to include neuro-nutrition in policy, public health programs, and medical curricula.
Vision:
An India where nutrition is a recognized, evidence-based pillar of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for brain and mental health across every community and care level.
Mission:
1.To produce India-relevant evidence, guidelines and training within 3 years.
2.To catalyse 3 multicentre research projects (paediatric neurodevelopment, dementia risk, epilepsy dietary therapy in 24 months.
3. To Launch a certified 6-month Neuro-Nutrition Practitioner course tailored for India (online + hands-on) in year 1.
4. To publish an India-adapted “Neuro-Nutrition Toolkit” (clinical algorithms, sample meal plans, enteral recipes, monitoring checklists) within 12 months.
5.To secure formal liaison with one national agency (NIN/ICMR/Ministry of Health) to pilot policy integration and one state pilot program in year
Meet The Team:
Founder
Mrs Vibha Hasija
Qualification :
MSc (Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics);
P.G. Diploma in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition;
Registered Dietitian (Cardiology),
A strong believer in the power of preventive and therapeutic nutrition, the role of holistic healing and the integration of Body, Mind and the Soul, Ms. Vibha Hasija is an academician (Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, University of Mumbai) since 23 years. An expert in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics and Nutritional Meal Planning, she is known for her powerful and highly effective teaching techniques in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. She believes firmly in that – All changes happen first in the mind and this has been the guiding principle in her life as well as in applications in the field of Nutrition. Vibha has worked with her mentees in researching and creating Nutrition Communication Solutions and Educational Aids in the field of Clinical Nutrition which has won multiple awards including a National Award for Excellence in Innovation in Clinical Nutrition. She is a resource person for academic nutritional events and for talks on Health and Well Being. Associated with the Registered Dietitian Board of the Indian Dietetic Association as well as part of the executive committee of the Indian Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Mumbai Chapter), she drives various nutrition education initiatives. An ardent poet and a prolific writer, she works to create a Health Mindset and make good health, good nutrition and lifestyle a human value. Through her Blog – Nutrition with Vibha, she is involved in making a positive difference to the nutritional and lifestyle choices of the community. With her mind on the multifaceted and multidisciplinary aspects of health and life, she brings her unique ideas to create a wave of Holistic Dietetic Choices. Through her unmistakable communication style of words and verses blended with evidence-based research, practicality and spiritual wisdom she dedicates herself to bettering the health of our Nation.
Mentor
Dr. Smilu Mohanlal
Consultant - Paediatric Neurology
MD, DNB (Pediatrics), IAP Postdoctoral Fellow (Pediatric Neurology), Diploma in Pediatric Sleep Medicine
Dr Smilu Mohanlal specializes in pediatric neurology. She completed her MD in Paediatrics from T.N.M.C Medical College and B.Y.L. Nair CH Hospital, Mumbai, and did her pediatric neurology fellowship from Rainbow Children's hospital, Hyderabad and also got Diploma in Pediatric Sleep Medicine.
Her special interests lie in Pediatric Epilepsy and Neuromuscular diseases. She has extensive experience in managing acute neurocritical care and ensures that she is updated with the latest advances in the field.
She also has an extended job profile where she has worked with some of the renowned institutions of India in different posts.
Active in IAP, she currently holds the post of joint secretary of the IAP Calicut branch.
Chief Program Officer
Dr. Sripriya Shaji
Independent Researcher - Nutritional Psychology & Nutritional Neuroscience | Counselling Psychologist | Dietitian | Entrepreneur
Sripirya Shaji integrates dietetics, psychology, and neuroscience to advance nutritional–mental health care in India. With a foundation in Nutrition & Dietetics, a postgraduate degree and PhD in Psychology, and a Master’s in Dietetics & Food Service Management, she works as an independent researcher and practitioner in nutritional psychology and nutritional neuroscience.She is the Founder of Srisha Counselling and Srisha Academy, leading work in psychological health, nutritional education, and applied research. Her clinical and scientific contributions span Eating Disorders, ADHD, Autism, ALS, Neuro-degenerative Disorders, Maternal Mental Health, and Geriatrics. She has authored 20 research publications, presented 23 scientific papers, contributed to several book chapters, and is now a recognised speaker across India on food–mind science.
Key Credentials :
1. Holds the prestigious Strategic Centre for Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE) certification, the global gold standard in obesity management — a distinction achieved by only a few in India, and uniquely held as a psychologist.
2. Certified in Nutrition Psychology from The Centre for Nutritional Psychology
3. Achieved 100% score in Identification and Management of Disordered Eating in Gastrointestinal Disorders from Monash University
4. Certified in Low FODMAP Diet Therapy with distinction from Monash University
5. Holds a Diploma in Art Therapy
Roles:
- Founder & Secretary, Community Nutrition Forum, Kerala
- Chief Program Officer, Neuro Nutrition Core Group, IAPEN India
- Co-Editor, Mind Matters International Magazine
She continues to write, research, and teach with a commitment to bridging food, mind, and culture in India’s evolving health landscape.
Advisor
Dr Manjari Tripathi
DM, FNASc, FRCP (Edin), FIAN, FNAMS
Professor & Head
Department of Neurology AIIMS, New
Educational Qualifications:
MBBS: MKCG Medical College, Brahmapur, ODISHA, 1991
DM: NIMHANS, Bengaluru, KARNATAKA (Neurology, 1996)
Research Specialization :
(Major scientific fields of interest): Dr Manjari Tripathi is a Professor of Neurology at AIIMS, New Delhi, with specialization in epilepsy.
She has over 20 years of experience in managing drug-refractory epilepsy and runs the epilepsy monitoring unit at AIIMS, New Delhi. Besides clinical research, Dr Tripathi has been engaged in cutting edge basic epilepsy research, particularly those involving next generation sequencing-based methodologies, to understand the mechanisms of drug resistance and epileptogenesis in refractory epilepsies.
Dr Tripathi's work is focused on epilepsy mechanisms, therapies, care and management, and has authored and co-authored over 500 articles in national and international journals of repute on epilepsy and related areas.
As a part of collaborative effort Dr Tripathi is the Co-Principal Investigator of the Centre of Excellence for Epilepsy which grants her access to wet-lab with specialization in “multi-omics” approach for discovery of epileptogenic and drug resistance mechanisms in epilepsy. These include, whole-genome sequencing, mRNA/miRNA sequencing, and mass spectrometry-based lipidomics and proteomics.
Awards/Honors :
- 1st Prize for AIIMS Excellence Research Award for the year 2017-2018, AIIMS, New Delhi.
- Faculty branding awards 2013 Certificate of Excellence by EET CRS Research wing for Excellence in Professional Education and Industry.
- Awarded Anandi Bai Joshi award for Medicine in Third IRDS awards 2012.
- Awarded- DBT Young Investigator award- for fMRI and EEG as an essential tool in the Noninvasive investigation of patients with epilepsy which is Intractable.
- Gold medallist in MBBS: Anatomy, Physiology, Medicine.
Advisor
Dr Praveen K S
M.Ch Neurosurgery
Head of Department - Neurosciences
Trustwell Hospitals
Having more than 20 years’ experience in the diagnosis and surgical management of general neurosurgical cases including Aneurysms, Neuro-Oncology, Neuro-Trauma, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Disorders and Neuro-Endoscopy.
Conducting routine neurosurgical operations which include routine and complex head injuries, microsurgical clipping of aneurysms, excision of a spectrum of brain and spinal tumors, microdiscectomy for lumbar and cervical degenerative spine disease, complex spinal instrumentation, and peripheral nerve decompressive surgeries. Have so far independently performed approximately 8000 neurosurgical cases.
Having studied in premier medical institutions throughout the study period, achieved academic excellence in undergraduate, post graduate and Specialisation degrees. Attained a spine surgery fellowship from Germany in 2015. Worked as an independent consultant in all the prominent corporate hospitals. Started a Multispecialty 250 bedded Hospital- Trustwell Hospitals in Central Bangalore along with a group of likeminded medical professionals in 2019. Was an integral part of a team of specialists treating Covid Mucormycosis during 2021. Trustwell Hospitals has the reputation of treating the largest series of Rhino orbito cerebral Mucormycosis in India during that time. Working as Head- Department of Neurosurgery at Trustwell Hospitals, Bangalore and Rangadore Memorial Hospital: also heads the Department of Neuro Oncology in Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bangalore.
One of the first Neurosurgeons to start Full Endoscopic Spinal Surgery in Bangalore and has a special interest in Minimally invasive Spinal surgery and Cranial Endoscopy.
Executive Member
Dr Jasmine Parihar
She is an Assistant Professor in the Neurology Department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
She has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, with more than 120 citations, focusing on neurological disorders such as epilepsy, neuro-immunology, neurodegeneration, and neuroinfectious conditions.
Dr. Parihar’s recent work explores challenges in epilepsy surgery access across the Asia–Oceania region, and she also contributes to neurodegenerative disease care, neuroimaging studies, and rare neurological syndromes.
Executive Member
Dr Mala Manral
Ph.D, RD, M. Sc.(H) specialization in food &Nutrition Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, certified Dietician for Ketogenic Diet Therapy. 30 years of experience in Clinical Nutrition-patient care teaching and Research and designated as a Dietician in Cardiothoracic and Neurosciences Centre , All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Running special clinical on every Monday & Thursday, Ketogenic Diet Therapy for Drug Refractory Epilepsy with Dr. Manjari Tripathi. Experience in providing Medical Nutrition therapy for Cardiac / Neurology / Neurosurgery / Paediatric ICU patients
Awarded Excellence award in Nutrition Practice at State level IAPEN INDIA quality AWARDS(ICNC, 2023) for Research work in the field of Clinical Nutrition.
Done Certificate course from Asian Institute of Ketogenic Diet under Dr. Janak Nathan in 2015
Published Book on Modified Atkins Diet in Epilepsy-Delicious keto Recipes: A guide for Caregiver
Chapter on “Introduction to Neurological Disorders and MNT” in the book “ Principles of Medical Nutrition Therapy for Positive Clinical Outcomes ( 2021).
Awarded PhD in 2021 for her thesis work “Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of Modified Atkins Diet in Persons with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy a Randomized Controlled Trial” while being in service. Got excellence award for PhD Doctoral work in 4th AIIMS Annual Research Day.
Organized Ketogenic Diet Workshop- A Therapeutic Model Organized by ‘Centre of Excellence for Epilepsy, Department of Neurology in 2023, at AIIMS, New Delhi. Presented many Scientific papers related to Ketogenic Diet Therapy in Epilepsy in International and National Conferences and also Invited as Faculty in ECON Congress.
Life member of several professional bodies, including IDA, International Neurological Ketogenic Society Lifetime member of Indian Epilepsy Society(IES), Lifetime member at IAPEN India, Lifetime member at ISPEN
Executive Member
Dr. Nivedita Pavithran
Qualification: PGDCN, M.Sc,PhD, RD, LSME
Experience: 25+ years of experience
Clinical Expertise :
Childhood Epilepsy Dietary Management
18+ years of expertise in ketogenic diet therapy
Areas of Specialization :
- Ketogenic Diet Therapy
- Neurology Nutrition (Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Clinic, Memory Clinic)
- Oncology Nutrition
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Bariatric Nutrition
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Academic & Mentorship Contributions:
Teaching and training for 370+ students annually across Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences
Supervision and successful completion of multiple PhD scholars
Research & Publications: More than 12 peer-reviewed publications in international journals
Awards & Recognition:
G20 Civil 20 (C20): Served as a Committee Member in the Integrated Holistic Health Working Group.
Team Leadership: Functioned as the Team Lead for the Nutritional Health Domain under the Civil 20 platform.
- Recipient of Eight Best Paper Awards at international conferences
- Resource person at national and international scientific conferences
Executive Member
Dr Shilpi Tripathi
- Ph.D, M.Sc and certified dietician for Ketogenic Therapy. With 21 years of experience and designated as a Dietician at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, specializing in the Departments of Neurology, Head & Neck Cancer, Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery ICU and Critical Care Medicine (CCM).
- AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, 2024 at SGPGIMS
- Secretary of the Kitchen Monitoring - Committee (KMC) since 2019.
- An Executive Member of the Kitchen COVID Committee at SGPGIMS.
- Co-Investigator on an intramural project on Ketogenic Diet , Department of Neurology.
- Working as a Guide for dietetic intern training programs.
- Academic Counselor in IGNOU.
- Life member of several professional bodies, including IAPEN, IDA, SAPEN and Poshan Dhara Association.
Executive Member
Ms. Shraddha Vyas
Ms. Shraddha Vyas is a Functional Nutritionist, Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Nutrition and Biochemistry with 17 years of experience in evidence-based nutrition and holistic wellness. She specializes in weight management, women’s health, and prediabetes & diabetes management, blending modern science with practical, sustainable strategies.
Founder of Appediet, Hyderabad, Shraddha provides global online consultations for diet and wellness. She serves as a Board of Studies Member at St. Pious Degree & PG College, Nacharam. As a WE Hub Mentor,(Government of Telangana intiative) she guides students and professionals in research and innovation.
Education & Certifications: Ph.D. (Pursuing) in Biochemistry – P.K. University; Functional Nutritionist – IAFM; Health & Wellness Coach – Weljii Institute, HSSC, Ministry of AYUSH; CPD Certification in Nutrition & Weight Management Essentials – College of Contemporary Health, UK; Certified Diabetes Educator – NDEP; CSIR-NET Qualified (2005).
Awards & Recognitions: Excellence Award for Freelance Nutrition – IAPEN, ICNC 2025; Global Award for Women Entrepreneurs & Educators – Women Leaders Forum, Icons of Asia 2023; National Award: Best Dietitian of the Year – National Healthcare & Wellness Conference 2023; Featured among Top 24 Inspiring Women in Healthcare – She Inspire Magazine; Best Oral Presentation – “Nourishing Resilience”, 2nd International Conference on Clinical Nutrition.
She is an author and researcher, recently publishing work on Neuro-nutrition in the British Medical Journal for Food and Nutrition, and continues to empower individuals and communities toward healthier, sustainable lifestyles.
Executive Member
Ms Sana Thousia
Sana Thousia is a well known Dietitian and currently associated with Brains Super Speciality Hospital. She has 13 years of experience in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics and worked as an expert Dietitian in different cities of India. She has worked in many reputed hospitals.
Doctor Sana Thousia has contributed to handling numerous complex medical cases in several hospitals. She is known for attention to accurate diagnosis and for treating patients empathetically.
Dr Sana Thousia did her BSC Nutrition and Dietetics MSc Food Science and Nutrition
She has also participated in research work and various workshops under the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics department and published many papers. Doctor Sana Thousia has also received an award in the field of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.
Executive Member
Priyal Gala
Priyal Gala is a Pediatric Onco-Nutritionist at Tata Memorial Hospital with expertise spanning pediatric oncology and clinical nutrition. She contributes actively to neuro–nutrition through her work in child-centred nutrition care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice. With published papers in oncology and pediatric nutrition, she brings academic strength and clinical insight to the Core Group. Her leadership supports the team’s mission of advancing neuro-nutrition across India.