Dr. Sumeesha Jaswal: Senior resident at Indira gandhi medical college, India
Dr. Sumeesha Jaswal is an accomplished psychiatrist with a focus on schizophrenia, psychosis, and psychiatric comorbidities. She completed her MD in Psychiatry with first position at Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. Her research encompasses immunological aspects of psychiatric disorders, effects of psychotropic medications on immune markers, and neuropsychiatric overlaps in systemic diseases. Currently a Senior Resident at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, she combines clinical expertise with active academic and research pursuits. She has presented nationally and internationally, contributing significantly to the fields of clinical psychiatry and neuroimmunology.
Online Profile
Dr. Sumeesha Jaswal’s research has garnered a total of 17 citations, with an h-index of 2 and an i10-index of 1. These metrics demonstrate the growing academic impact and recognition of her contributions in psychiatry and mental health research.
Education
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MD Psychiatry (May 2019 – May 2022), Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
Secured first position in Panjab University; thesis on “Effects of Clozapine on Immunoglobulins and Interleukin Levels and Its Clinical Correlation in Patients with Schizophrenia.” -
MBBS (Aug 2013 – Dec 2018), Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, India
Topped Himachal Pradesh University in first and second professional years; awarded distinction in Biochemistry and Forensic Medicine.
Recipient of the “Sri Tribhuvan Nath Bhatnagar Memorial Grant.”
Engaged in observership in Department of Clinical Psychology at Composite Regional Centre for Persons with Disabilities.
Research Focus
Dr. Jaswal’s research investigates the immunological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia, focusing on the role of clozapine and risperidone in modulating immunoglobulin and cytokine levels. She explores psychiatric comorbidities in dermatological conditions such as psoriasis, neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic diseases like multiple sclerosis and scrub typhus, and the overlap between neurological and psychiatric presentations. Her work integrates clinical trials, observational studies, and psychometric assessment development.
Experience
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Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry
Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla (Nov 2022 – Present)
Responsible for clinical care, teaching postgraduate students, and conducting research. -
Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh (Jul 2022 – Oct 2022)
Engaged in advanced psychiatric clinical services and academic training.
Research Timeline & Activities
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July 2019 – May 2022: MD Psychiatry residency with thesis research on clozapine effects on immune markers in schizophrenia patients.
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2022 – Present: Active clinical research at IGMC Shimla, including studies on psychiatric comorbidities in psoriasis and neurological-psychiatric overlaps.
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Regular presenter at national conferences including ANCIPS and IPS-NZ.
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Reviewer and peer reviewer for international journals including International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, BP International, and Mathews Journal of Psychiatry & Mental Health.
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Participated in National Mental Health Survey Master Training at NIMHANS, Bengaluru (Nov 2024).
Awards & Honors
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PB Buckshey Award for outstanding research on Clozapine’s immunological effects, IPS-NZ 2021.
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GC Boral Award for research on neuropsychological predictors in OCD, IPS-NZ 2021.
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First position in university during MBBS first and second years with distinctions.
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Winner of All India Book Review Competition “Seeing the Suffering” by Indian Psychiatric Society.
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Multiple poster and paper presentation awards at national and regional psychiatry conferences.
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Awarded “Sri Tribhuvan Nath Bhatnagar Memorial Grant” during MBBS.
Top Noted Publication
Jaswal S, Thakur A, Lata S. Borderline Intellectual Functioning: A Masquerader in Patients with Confusing Psychopathology. Mathews Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2025;10(1):51.
This article highlights the clinical challenges in diagnosing borderline intellectual functioning amid complex psychiatric symptoms and emphasizes tailored approaches for accurate diagnosis and management.
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COVID vaccination and mental health: An Indian perspective
GP Singh, S Jaswal
Published in Asian Journal of Psychiatry (2021)
— Explores the intersection of COVID-19 vaccination and mental health issues in the Indian context. -
Pattern of psychiatry referrals in a tertiary hospital teaching set-up
S Jaswal, H Garg, A Kaur
Published in Mathews Journal of Psychiatry & Mental Health (2023)
— Examines referral patterns to psychiatry departments in a teaching hospital setting. -
Development and psychometric testing of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding COVID-19 among patients
N Chauhan, R Rohilla, D Aggarwal, S Jaswal, A Singh, P Arun
Published in Industrial Psychiatry Journal (2022)
— Focuses on creating and validating a questionnaire to evaluate public knowledge and behaviors related to COVID-19. -
Borderline Intellectual Functioning: A Masquerader in Patients with Confusing Psychopathology
S Jaswal, A Thakur, S Lata
Published in Mathews Journal of Psychiatry & Mental Health (2025)
— Discusses borderline intellectual functioning and its challenges in psychiatric diagnosis. -
A fatal case of Anti-NMDAR encephalitis with fulminant psychosis
S Jaswal, A Kumar
Published in Industrial Psychiatry Journal (2025)
— A case report describing a severe and fatal instance of anti-NMDAR encephalitis presenting with psychosis.
Strength suitable for a Best Researcher Award
1. Excellence in Academic Achievement and Research Quality
Dr. Jaswal has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, securing first positions during her MD Psychiatry and consistently excelling throughout her medical education. Her research output is marked by high scientific rigor and relevance, as evidenced by multiple peer-reviewed publications and increasing citation metrics. This reflects her commitment to producing meaningful and impactful psychiatric research that advances clinical understanding.
2. Innovative Research on Psychotropic Drug Immunomodulation
Her groundbreaking work exploring the immunological effects of antipsychotic medications, particularly clozapine, addresses critical gaps in understanding schizophrenia’s pathophysiology. By linking psychotropic drug action to immune modulation, Dr. Jaswal has opened new pathways for research and treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes through precision medicine.
3. Strong Clinical-Research Integration
Dr. Jaswal exemplifies the ideal clinician-researcher by integrating her frontline clinical experiences with scientific inquiry. Her research is deeply informed by patient care challenges, which enhances the practical applicability of her findings. This synergy ensures that her work contributes directly to improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment protocols, and holistic patient management.
4. Consistent Contribution to Scholarly Community
Beyond her own research, Dr. Jaswal actively contributes to the broader academic community through peer reviewing for international journals, mentoring students, and regularly presenting her work at national and international psychiatry conferences. This engagement promotes scholarly discourse, knowledge exchange, and the nurturing of future researchers in the field.
5. Recognition through Prestigious Awards and Grants
Dr. Jaswal’s research excellence has been acknowledged through several prestigious awards, such as the PB Buckshey Award for outstanding research on clozapine’s immunological effects and the GC Boral Award for contributions to neuropsychological research. Additionally, competitive grants like the Sri Tribhuvan Nath Bhatnagar Memorial Grant highlight her ability to secure funding, supporting her ongoing innovative research projects.