Ruchika Prakash

Dr. Ruchika Prakash is an ASC Distinguished Professor of Psychology at The Ohio State University and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging. Her research focuses on evaluating mind-body interventions to improve cognitive and emotional health in older adults and those with neurological conditions, leveraging neuroimaging and neuropsychological methods. She has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles in top journals.

• Education: PhD (2009), MA (2006) from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; MA (2004), BA (2002) from University of Delhi

Key research interests include mindfulness meditation, emotion regulation, cognitive control in aging, and neuroimaging of neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis. Her work emphasizes translational approaches linking brain mechanisms to behavioral outcomes.

Recent studies investigate neural correlates of attentional control, mindfulness interventions for older adults, and digital health interventions for MS patients. She leads projects funded by NIH and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

• Awards: 2023 Diversity & Inclusivity Champion Award, 2023 Distinguished Professor title, 2016 Springer Early Career Achievement Award

Dr. Prakash mentors numerous graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and public health.