Aarti Nagpal Mehta
Ph.D., University of Hyderabad.Assistant Professor
Aarti Nagpal Mehta
Ph.D., University of Hyderabad.My research journey has been guided by a deep commitment to understanding health and well-being through a biopsychosocial lens. From the earliest stages of my academic training at the University of Hyderabad, I was fascinated by how psychological, social, and cultural factors shape health outcomes and influence resilience in the face of adversity. This curiosity led me to pursue both my Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Health Psychology, during which I developed a strong foundation in research methodology, clinical applications, and community-based interventions. My doctoral research focused on chronic illness, illness perception, and the role of psychosocial factors in shaping quality of life. Through this work, I sought to highlight the ways in which health is not only a biological condition but also a psychological and social experience. Over time, my scholarly interests expanded to include reproductive and sexual health, stress, coping, and mental health promotion across the lifespan. I have presented my findings at national and international forums, earning recognition such as the NITTER-IAAP Award for Best Research Work and the Prof. A.S. Dash Gold Medal for outstanding contributions in Health Psychology. Parallel to my academic research, I founded Sahara Mental Health Clinic in 2013 with the vision of providing accessible and holistic psychological care. The clinic has been both a site of practice and a source of insights, reinforcing the importance of bridging the gap between theory and practice. This dual role—as a researcher and practitioner—continues to shape my quest: to generate evidence-based knowledge while ensuring its real-world application. Currently, as an Assistant Professor at Chanakya University, I am invested in nurturing the next generation of psychologists and researchers. I aspire to build interdisciplinary collaborations that bring together psychology, education, and health sciences, while also integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems such as Ayurveda into modern health psychology frameworks. My long-term research vision is to develop culturally grounded models of health and resilience that can inform both academic scholarship and public health interventions in India and beyond. At its core, my research quest is driven by the belief that psychological science has the power to transform not just individuals, but also families, communities, and society at large. Through rigorous inquiry, compassionate practice, and committed mentorship, I aim to contribute meaningfully to this vision.
Dr. Aarti Nagpal Mehta is a distinguished psychologist and academician with expertise in health psychology, chronic illness, and psychosocial well-being. She earned her undergraduate degree from St. Francis Degree College, followed by postgraduate and doctoral studies in Psychology at the University of Hyderabad, where she was awarded top rank in the entrance examinations for both programs.
She has held academic and research positions at premier institutions including the Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi), GITAM University, IGNOU, and the University of Hyderabad. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Chanakya University, Bangalore, and is the founder of Sahara Mental Health Clinic, where she has been providing counseling and therapeutic services since 2013.
Dr. Aarti has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, with notable work on illness perception, reproductive health, and women’s well-being. She has presented research at several national and international conferences, earning awards such as the Young Psychologist Award (2012), the NITTER–IAAP Award for Best Research Work (2020), and the Prof. A.S. Dash Gold Medal for Best Ph.D. Research (2022). Beyond academia, she has been an active student leader, serving as Students’ Union President at the University of Hyderabad (2018–2019), and continues to advocate for holistic mental health awareness and education.
- Ph.D. Psychology, University of Hyderabad
- M.Sc. Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad
- B.A. Psychology, St. Francis Degree College, Hyderabad
- A. N. Nagpal and S. C. Fernandes, “Attitude of parents towards sex education,” The International Journal of Indian Psychology, vol. 2, no. 4, 2015.
- A. N. Nagpal and M. Padhy, “Dynamics of perception of illness along time among hypertensive patients: Influence on well-being,” Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing, vol. 6, no. 9, 2015.
- G. Sunkarapalli, N. Taparia, T. Fernandes, and A. N. Nagpal, “Dynamics of optimism, anxiety and coping strategies in residents of Vishakhapatnam affected by Hudhud Cyclone: An ex-post facto study,” Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 60, 2016.
- N. N. Seema, A. N. Nagpal, and G. B. Shravanti, “Impact of obesity on stress in women during first trimester,” Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing, vol. 8, no. 11, pp. 1397–1400, 2017.
- A. N. Nagpal, A. Rajendran, M. Hariharan, N. D. S. Seema, and C. R. Rao, “Conceptualizing HIV/AIDS: Developmental trend in school children,” IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 74–81, 2017.
- A. N. Nagpal, “Understanding women’s reproductive and sexual health issues in India: Role of a health psychologist,” Health Psychology Update, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 32–39, 2021.
- Young Psychologist Award (2012)
- Gold Medal for Excellence in Psychology (2013)
- IAAP NITTER Award for Best Research Work (2020)
- Gold Medal for Best Ph.D. Research Work (2022)
- Former Students’ Union President, University of Hyderabad (2018–2019).