Dr. Ashitha SNM is an INSPIRE Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), India. She earned her Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Mysore, where her work on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) identified unique genetic risks affecting neurodevelopmental pathways and specific roles of behavioral immune system.

She leads an independent research program using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to study the affects of these genetic mutations on neurodevelopment across psychiatry. By integrating genetic, transcriptomic, and cellular approaches, her group seeks to define inflammation-sensitive subtypes of psychiatric disorders and uncover new therapeutic targets.

Dr. Murthy is deeply committed to advancing research in low- and middle-income countries, mentoring young scientists, and fostering global collaborations that bridge fundamental neuroscience with translational mental health research.