Symposium 11- Topics Presenters- 2.pdf - University of Connecticut ...

6 th International Symposium of Ayurveda and Health
Medicine & Beyond
NOVEMBER 4 TH -6 TH , 2011
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER
FARMINGTON, CT
Experience the beautiful New England Fall
Book your accommodation early and save disappointments
Approved for 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).
SPONSORED By *CASC,UCHC PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION
For Information
Contact-
aguha@att.net
University of Connecticut School of Medicine The International Society for
Office of Continuing Education and CASC Ayurveda & Health (ISAH)
University of Connecticut Health Center www.ayurvedahealth.org
http://casc.uchc.edu
*Complementary Alternative Supportive Care

About CME: Sponsored by University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Office of Continuing & Community Education and CASC
in collaboration with The International Society for Ayurveda and Health
Target Audience: All faculty interested training in CAM/Ayurvedic medicine. All others may attend.
Global Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:
1. Recite the expert opinion associated with Ayurvedic Medicine as an approach to wellness.
2. Identify barriers in implementing the principles and practices of Ayurvedic Medicine.
3. Describe one or more strategies necessary either to implement the evidence/expert opinion or overcome any barrier to
implementation of Ayurvedic Medicine
Accreditation: The University of Connecticut School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Connecticut School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 18 AMA PRA
Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Conflict of Interest Policy: All faculty participating in CME activities sponsored by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine
are required to disclose to the program audience any actual or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentations.
Program planners have an obligation to resolve any actual conflicts of interest and share with the audience any safeguards put in place
to prevent commercial bias from influencing the content.
None of the speakers has anything to disclose. This CME activity has no commercial support associated with it.
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Directions to University of Connecticut Health
Center from Greater Hartford: Route 84 to Exit 39.
Turn right onto Route 4-East (Farmington Avenue).
Drive about 1-1/2 miles
For Keller Auditorium:
Turn right into University of Connecticut Health Center.
At first stop sign continue ahead veering off to the left
-up the hill .
Go to first stop sign, and continue into the gate.
Open Parking. Enter through main door ( information desk is
at your right), take escalator to the ground floor
For Conference Room EG013:
Turn right into University of Connecticut Health Center.
At first stop sign continue ahead veering off to the right
At the stop sign turn to left into academic entrance, use Parking lot D for Friday and Monday.
Unrestricted parking on Saturday and Sunday— use AB lot, park at the end of the lot, take the stairs, go through glass
door and turn right. First door –EG013
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Accommodations:
Hotel Accommodations
Homewood Suites by Hilton
2 Farm Glen Boulevard
Farmington, CT 06032
860-321-0000
The Homewood Suites By Hilton in Farmington, will be holding guestrooms for the International Symposium of
Ayurveda & Health to be held in November 4-6, 2011. Reservations must be made before 10/1/11 to receive and be
guaranteed the group rate for the dates of November 2, thru November 8th, 2009.
Number of rooms reserved is limited and will be subject to first come first serve and availability.
The hotel is offering a King Bedded Deluxe Suite with Internet and Breakfast Included at a rate of $109.00
per night per suite, tax exempt. The hotel will also be offering complimentary Shuttle service to UCONN Health
Center per schedule. Dinner- Mon-Thursday is also included.
For reservation: please call the hotel at 860-321-0000 and ask for reservations. When speaking with the reservation
agent let them know that you are with the ISAH group.

The Subtle Energies
Medicine And Beyond, November 4–6, 2011
November 4th, 2011– Keller Auditorium
Registration : 8:30—9 AM, Keller Lobby
Walk the LABYRINTH
November 4th: 9 AM – 2 PM Keller Auditorium lobby
Courtesy, Connecticut Mental Health Center,
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven
Health and Planets: Linking Nature
9 AM-10 AM, Keller Auditorium
Abhimanyu Kumar and Prashanti De Jager
Introducing Medical Jyotish (Ayurvedic astrology): Planetary effects on physical
(dosha) and mental constitutions, health, wellness and disease
Ayurvedic Approach to Allergy & Asthma
10 AM–12:30 PM, Keller auditorium
Abhimanyu Kumar and Ajay K Sharma
Allergy to pollen grains, dust, smoke, food, incompatible diet, are some of the causative
agents of allergy in both adult and children. Ancient approach to modern problem will be
presented and discussed.
3:30 PM Welcome address
Beyond Medicine: The Untapped Vision of
Ayurvedic Subtle Energies in Health and Wellness
Amala Guha
Ayurveda defines subtle energy as molecules of cosmos and incorporates subtle energies in
daily life for preventative and therapeutic use will be presented
Light: Ceremony of Light & Colors
Sound: Kirtan with Saurabh Chokshi, MD

Course Director and
Conference Chair
Amala Guha, PhD, MPH, MA
UCONN Health CTR & ISAH, CT
Organizing Committee
Brent A. Bauer, MD
Mayo Clinic, MN
Rajendra Badgaiyan, MD
Harvard, MA
Caryn Christensen, Ph.D.
University of Hartford
Mary E. Dansinghani, M.Div
Yale University, CT
Bruce Koeppen, MD. PhD
UCONN Health CTR, CT
Vatsala Kucharski, PsyD.
River Valley Serv. & ISAH, CT
Adam Silverman, MD
UConn Health Center, CT
Pramod Srivastava, MD, PhD
Lori Wilson, MD
U Conn Health Center
Advisory Committee
Brent A. Bauer, MD
Mayo Clinic, MN
Vatsala Kucharski. PsyD
River Valley Serv. & ISAH, CT
Abhimanyu Kumar. MD. PhD
National Inst. of Ayurveda, India
Hridaya R Sharma, PhD
BHU, Banaras, India
Ajaya K. Sharma, MD PhD
National Inst. of Ayurveda, India
Stephen K. Wikel, PhD.
UT Medical School, TX
Saturday November 5 th, 2011, EG-013
8 –8:30 AM Conference Room -013 Breakfast Registration & CME Sign-in
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PRIMARY CARE & AYURVEDA
Adam Silverman, MD
U’Conn Health Center, Farmington, CT
AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO DISEASE MANIFESTATION: SYMBOLIC INTERPRETATION OF
IMMUNOMODULATIONS at CELLULAR and MOLECULAR LEVEL
Amala Guha. PhD, MPH, MA
U’Conn Health Center, Farmington, CT
CLINICAL EVALUATION Of A COMPOUND HERBAL PREPARATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF
ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION
Ajay Sharma, MD, PhD
National Institute for Ayurveda, Jaipur, India
IMMUNITY & STRESS : A BASIS for BALANCE BETWEEN HEALTH & BEHAVIOR
Robert E Cone, PhD
UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT
STRESS and RESILIENCE: NEUROPSYCHIATRIC AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE
FROM PSYCHIATRY AND AYUREDA
Frank John Ninivaggi, MD, FAPA
Yale University School of Medicine, Child Study Center in New Haven, CT
CONTROL OF CNS INFLAMMATION BY b-ADRENORECEPTOR AGONIST MEDIATED
STIMULATION of The cAMP SIGNALING PATHWAY
Stefan Brocke, MD, PhD,
UConn Health Center
MEDICALMYSTERIES: IN SEARCH OF A MISSINH LINK
Saurabh Chokshi, MD, MBA,
University of South Florida (USF), Tampa FL
NEUROIMAGING of AYURVEDIC PHILOSOPHY
Rajendra D. Badgaiyan, M.D.
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
INCORPORATING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES INTO THE CARE OF OUR CANCER
Angela S. Kueck, MD
UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT
IMMUNITY AGING AND CANCER
Upendra Hegde, MD
U’Conn Health Center, Farmington, CT
MANDALAS: GEOMETRY of WHOLENESS AND CENTERING
Mary Dansinghani, MDiv
CMHC, Yale Department of Psychiatry, CT
INTEGRATING AYURVEDIC PREVENTION PRACTICES INTO US NATIONAL PREVENTION
STRATEGY; A DISCUSSION
Shah Pratibha, MD
Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
HERBAL SPORTS NUTRITION A NATURAL PROGRESSION TO WELLNESS
Prashanti deJager
Pacific Center of Ayurveda; San Francisco, CA

Tulsi: Indian Holy Basil
Course Director &
Conference Chair
Amala Guha, PhD, MPH, MA
UCONN Health CTR & ISAH, CT
Scientific Committee
Rajendra Badgaiyan, MD
Harvard, MA
Stefan Brocke, M.D., Ph.D
Uconn Health Center,CT
Robert Cone, PhD
UCONN Health CTR., CT
Manjari Dwivedi, MD, PhD
BHU, Banaras, India
Amala Guha, PhD, MPH
UCONN Health CTR.CT
Abhimanyu Kumar, MD, PhD
NIA, Jaipur, India
Ajaya K. Sharma, MD PhD
National Inst. of Ayurveda, India
Auxiliary Team
Staff & Students
Vera Dynder
James Fomenko
Monica Karekar
Lauren E Rosen
Arpita Singh
Sunday November 6th, 2011, Conf Room EG-013
8 –8:30 AM Conference Room -013 Breakfast CME Sign-in
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INSIGHT INTO HYGENIC VERSES NONHYGENIC EFECTS ON SPECIFIC ON SPECIFIC T cell
RESPONSES
Anthony T. Vella, PhD
U’Conn Health Center, Farmington, CT
AYURVEDIC APPROACH for POTENTIATING the IMMUNE SYSTEM of CHILDREN WITH
RECURRENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Abhimanyu Kumar, MD( Ay), MSc (Psy), PhD
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India
AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO ASTHMA: A CASE PRESENTATION
Amala Guha, PhD, MPH
UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT,
Oklahoma City, OK
THERAPEUTIC TOUCH AND CANCER CELLS
Gloria A. Gronowicz, Ph.D,
UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT.
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
Amit K Guman, BAMS, MD
Harmony Health Center, Inc.
INVESTIGATING The ANTIINFLMMATORY MECHANISM OF BROMELAIN (Pineapple extract)
IN MOUSE MODEL
Eric Secor, ND, MPH
U’Conn Health Center, Farmington, CT
SPIRITUALITY and MENTAL HEALTH: REBUILDING THE BRIDGE
Jeffrey Montague, M.Div
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Southeastern Mental Health Authority, Norwich, CT
MUSIC and MEDICINE: TRADITIONAL MODALITY IN COMTEMPROPRY HEALTH CARE
Saurabh Chokshi, MD, MBA
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Panel discussion and audience participation
Closing: Chanting and “Slokas”

2011 Participating Faculty
Rajendra D. Badgaiyan, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
SUNY at Buffalo and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Dr. Badgaiyan is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY at Buffalo and Harvard Medical School Boston. In the past, he has served
on the faulty of the University of Oregon, the University of Texas, and the University of Pittsburgh. Before immigrating to the U.S.,
Dr. Badagaiyan was on the faculty of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. Dr. Badgaiyan did his postdoctoral training in cognitive
neuroscience and residency training in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. His research is focused on cognitive neuroscience with an
emphasis on consciousness.
Dr. Brent A. Bauer MD
Associate Professor Of Medicine
Director, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic
Dr. Bauer is board-certified in Internal Medicine, and has been on staff at Mayo Clinic for 17 years. His main research interest has been
the scientific evaluation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies that patients and consumers are using with increasing
frequency. He has authored several book chapters and papers on this topic, and is the Medical Editor of the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative
Medicine. He is a member of the NIH-NCCAM special emphasis review panel and is currently collaborating on over 20 studies being
conducted at Mayo Clinic evaluating CAM therapies ranging from acupuncture to valerian. Most recently, Dr. Bauer spearheaded a
collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Gaiam in the creation of a series of 10 DVD‘s (Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions).
These DVD‘s address common health problems (e.g. diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) with integrative medicine approaches that
empower patients to take charge of their health.
Stefan Brocke, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Immunology, Center of Pharmacology,
University of Connecticut Health Center, CT
Dr. Brocke received his M.D. degree at the Free University of Berlin, Germany. He then trained at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
and received his Doctorate in Immunology at the Free University of Berlin. Dr. Brocke performed internships and residency in Medical
Microbiology at the Free University of Berlin followed by a postdoctoral fellowship and research associate position at Stanford University
Medical Center under Dr. Lawrence Steinman. After spending time as a visting scientist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda,
MD, Dr. Brocke was appointed lecturer and senior lecturer at the Department of Pathology of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical
School in Jerusalem, Israel, before joining the faculty in the Department of Pharmacology and then Immunology at the University of
Connecticut Health Center. At the University of Connecticut Health Center Dr. Brocke was the Director of the Pharmacology Graduate
Program. His present research interests are focused on the molecular basis of cAMP signaling in immune cells, lymphocyte adhesion
and migration in inflammation, and the development of novel therapies for autoimmune diseases.
Caryn Christensen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Psychology
Director of the interdisciplinary All University Curriculum (AUC)
University of Hartford, CT
The AUC is a world renowned general education program, offering team taught interdisciplinary courses that bring together faculty and
students from every college within the university. AUC science courses include Assessing Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, AIDS
and Epidemics, Technology as a Human Affair, Issues of Health and Society: Weighing In, and Living in the Environment. An Experimental
Psychologist, Dr. Christensen‘s research focuses on medical decision making and healthcare policy. She is a former officer in the Society
for Medical Decision Making and study section member in the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Saurabh Chokshi, MD, MBA,
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Florida (USF)
Medical Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories
Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida
Dr. Chokshi is a practicing interventional cardiologist and electro physiologist at Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa Bay area. He has been serving
as the director of Cardiac Catheterization laboratory of Tampa General Hospital and is a clinical assistant professor at the University of South
Florida (USF). He has published more than 75 papers in peer reviewed journals and book chapters. He has earned his MBA degree from USF
and is a certified Yoga teacher trainer. Currently he is attending CME accredited Ayurveda Certificate Courses at the University of Connecticut
School of Medicine. Farmington, CT. He has been involved in teaching Medical students, residents, fellows, nurses and physician colleagues on
a routine basis and propagates his passion for holistic approach to health throughout Tampa bay Area and cross continent.
His research interest include scientific basis of miracles, medical mysteries and role of music in medicine.
Robert E Cone, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Department of Immunology,
University of Connecticut Health Center, CT
Dr. Cone received his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He then trained at the Walter and Eliza
Hall Institute for Immunology, Melbourne Australia where he studied with Professor GJV Nossal and Dr. John Marchalonis. At the Hall Institute
he participated in the development of enzyme-catalyzed radiolabelling of the cell membranes of living cells, and the characterization of
lymphocyte membrane proteins. He then trained at the Basel Institute for Immunology in Base, Switzerland. Dr. Cone was a faculty member
in the Departments of Surgery and Pathology at Yale University. At Yale University he was the Director of the Histocompatibility Testing
and Membrane Marker laboratory before joining the faculty in the Department of Pathology and then Immunology at the University of Connecticut
Health Center. At the University of Connecticut Health Center Dr. Cone was the Director of the Immunology Graduate Program.
Dr. Cone is one of the Commissioners of the State of Connecticut Commission on Medico-Legal Investigation and is a recipient of the State
of Connecticut Public Service Award. His present research interests are focused on the cellular basis of ocular immune regulation and the
role of the sympathetic nervous system on the development of regulatory T cells.

Mary E. Dansinghani, M. Div.
Chaplain/Coordinator of Spiritual Services Connecticut Mental Health Center
Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
Mary Dansinghani is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. She received her MA from Indiana University in ------ and BA, MAT -
University of New Hampshire. She finished her Clinical Pastoral Educational Residency at Yale New Haven Hospital and
received her Ayurvedic mental & Spiritual health Certificate from the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India in collaboration with the
International Society for Ayurveda & health (ISAH) in 2008. She is committed to Ayurvedic practice of holistic approach to spirituality and
healing as promoted through ISAH. Her interest is to develop Mandalas, Ayurvedic Guided Imagery, to promote relaxation to mental
illness to promote relaxation and balancing the energies. She is a board member - Interfaith Volunteers Care Givers of Greater
New Haven (IVCG), Hamden, CT and Professional Consultation Committee (PCC) for Department of Religious Ministry, Yale New Haven
Hospital and member of the International Society for Ayurveda and Health.
Prashanti de Jager, MS, EMT
The Pacific Center of Ayurveda
San Francisco, Ca
After earning a masters degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, and Emergency Medicine Paramedic
certification from Huron Valley Ambulance, Prashanti moved to India in 1990 to study Advaita and the Vedic Sciences including Ayurveda,
Vastu shastra, Yoga and Jyotish (astrology). Here he met Sri H.W.L. Poonja, , the Dalai Lama, Urgen Tulku, Jamgong Kontrul Rinpoche,
Hart de Fouw, Kaviraj Vaidya Nanakchand Sharma and settled in Lucknow, Northern India. In 1993 he started an Ayurvedic herb company
where he grew, wildcrafted and processed the herbs by hand. From this grew a beautiful team/Vision called ‗Organic India‘ that emerged to
serve the demand in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable way. These projects earned Organic India, ―The Most Socially
Responsible Company,‖ in the entire natural products Industry of about 25,000 companies
Currently Prashanti is creating Vedic Centers in San Francisco and Prague and sits on the Advisory and/or Scientific Boards of Organic India.
the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the Balanced Rock Foundation. He also is a consultant and formulator throughout the Global
Natural Product Industry promoting Global Sustainability via responsible agriculture--- development of new paradigm of business models
focusing on high quality diets, medicines and optimized life styles.
Amala Guha, MPH, PhD, MA
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
(http://CASC.UCHC.EDU) (www.ayurvedahealth.org)
Dr. Amala Guha is an Assistant Professor of Immunology and Medicine, Founding Director of Complementary & Alternative Supportive
Care ―CASC‖ University of Connecticut School of Medicine, CT. and the founding president of the International Society for Ayurveda and
Health (ISAH) and the editor-in-chief of the journal ELEMENTS.
Dr. Guha received her Doctoral Degree in Immunology from University of Allahabad, India in collaboration with the University of Connecticut
School of Medicine followed by the fellowship in Hematology/Oncology, supported by the prestigious NIH training Grant. She received her
graduate degree in Public Health from Connecticut School of Medicine and her training in Ayurveda from Ayurvedic Medical College, Bombay
and from University of Puna, Pune, India. Dr. Guha‘s advance training in bone marrow transplant, cancer Immunology, public health and
Ayurvedic Medicine brings a unique blend of expertise in the field of integrative medicine. She teaches Ayurveda at the University of
Connecticut School of Medicine and leads the Ayurvedic Training Programs sponsored by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine &
International Society for Ayurveda and Health (ISAH) and collaborates with the national Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India. She had served
on the review board of Complementary Alternative Medicine at the NCCAM/NIH. Dr. Guha is a fellow of The Leukemia Society of America.
Upendra Hegde, MD
Assistant Professor Medicine, Hematology Oncology
Associate Director, Medical Oncology, Melanoma Program
Co-director, Head and Neck/Oral Oncology Program
UCONN Health Center, Farmington, CT.
Dr. Hegde received his medical degree from the Goa Medical College in Goa, India. He completed post graduate training in internal medicine
at Goa Medical College (Bombay University) and did his clinical fellowship training in medical oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital in Bombay.
He worked closely with basic researchers and studied the clinical relevance of multi-drug resistance in acute myelogenous leukemia.
In 1992, he received a research scholarship from Rush Presbyterian St. Luke‘s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, to study leukemia at the
cellular and molecular biologic levels, which he completed in 1995 under the mentorship of Harvey D. Priesler, M.D. Dr. Hegde completed his
residency in internal medicine at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and received his fellowship training in hematology and
oncology in the medicine branch of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
Abhimanyu Kumar, MD, PhD
Professor & Head of the department, Ayurvedic Pediatrics
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India
Dr. Abhimanyu Kumar is a Professor & Head of the department of Ayurvedic Pediatrics at the National institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur (India) and is
involved in academic, clinical and research activities for last 23 years in various capacities. After completing his MD in Ayurvedic Pediatrics he
was awarded PhD. He received his master's degree (MSc) in applied Psychology and Diploma in Yoga. He has Authored three books and published
65 research papers. Member and Ayurveda expert in various national and international universities, institutes and organizations. He has
supervised 35 MD and PhD scholars. Completed one international collaborative research project and other three sponsored by Government of
India. Two industry- institutes based collaborative clinical research projects ongoing. He is Involved in teaching and training of international
scholars. Presently he is working as coordinator International program for Ayurveda studies at National Institute of Ayurveda. He is the President
of Indian Association of Ayurvedic Pediatrics and is National President of Indian Association of Ayurvedic Pediatrics

Bruce Koeppen, MD, PhD
Medical Dean. Quinnipiac School of Medicine
Hamden, CT
Dr. Koeppen received his M.D. from the University of Chicago in 1977 and his Ph.D. (physiology) from the University of Illinois in 1980. After
completing a research fellowship at Yale University in 1982, he joined the faculty of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he
held the administrative position of Dean for Academic Affairs. In 2010 he was named as founding dean of Quinnipiac University‘s new School
of Medicine. He has served on numerous committees of National Board of Medical Examiners, and he currently is a member of the Liaison
Committee on Medical Education. He is coauthor of the textbooks Renal Physiology and Netter‘s Atlas of Physiology and is a contributing
author and editor of Principles of Physiology and Physiology. Dr Koeppen has received numerous teaching awards from students at the
University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Dental Medicine. He was the 1995 recipient of the Arthur C Guyton Teaching Award from
the American Society of Physiology. the 1998 recipient of Association of American Medical Colleges and the Alpha Omega Alpha –Robert J.
Glaser Distinguished Teaching Award and in 2007 received the Edithe Levit Distinguished Service Award from the National Board of Medical
Examiners.
Angela S. Kueck, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Gynecologic Oncology
UConn Health Center, Farmington CT
Dr. Kueck received her medical degree and completed a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Georgetown University. She then finished
a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Michigan and worked as faculty for 4 years. It was during this time she began working
with others interested in alternative therapies in ovarian cancer. She participated in a faculty scholars program in Integrative Healthcare at the
University of Michigan prior to moving to UConn Health Center. She joined the cancer center faculty this year at UConn with a goal of
building a program that will offer individualized holistic therapies for patients undergoing conventional cancer therapy. Her research interests
are focused on studying mind-body therapies on minimizing effects of chemotherapy in women with cancer.
Vatsala G Kucharski, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist
River Valley Services, Middletown, CT
Dr. Kucharski has received her BA in Asian studies from Trinity College, Hartford, CT and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from
University of Harford, CT. She serves on the board of The International Society for Ayurveda & Health. Dr. Kucharski ‗s interests involve
Ayurvedic interventions in mental health and herbal rasayanas. Dr. Kucharski is the cofounder of The International Society for Ayurveda & Health.
Jeffrey A. Montague, M.Div.
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Southeastern Mental Health Authority
Norwich, CT 06360, USA
Jeff Montague is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. He completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Yale New Haven Hospital and served as a
chaplain both at YNHH and at the original CT Hospice in 1981. With the DMHAS for the past 24 years, he serves as the Coordinator of the
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and as the SMHA Health and Safety Coordinator. He is
Team Leader of the state Disaster Behavioral Health Response Network, (CT DBHRN) Region 4. Preparedness planning, exercising and responding
with both allied health partners and traditional First Responders is a primary component of his daily responsibilities; actual deployment
of resources is, thankfully, less frequently needed. With a professional framework of pastoral care and chaplaincy, Jeff‗s involvement in
EAP and emergency preparedness / response has long recognized the needed collaboration between physical, emotional and spiritual care
providers. Jeff is the Coordinator of the Faith Initiative at the SMHA where he is responsible for program development, staff and community
training and the implementation of spiritually sensitive, holistic recovery services.
Frank John Ninivaggi, MD, FAPA
Assistant Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry
Yale University School of Medicine, Child Study Center, New Haven, CT
Dr. Ninivaggi is an Associate Attending physician at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, member of the Yale Medical Group, and the Medical
Director of the Devereux Glenholme School in Washington, Connecticut. He teaches and supervises medical students, interns, residents, and
fellows at the Yale medical school. Trained at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, he is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology and a Fellow
of the American Psychiatric Association. He is author of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional Indian Medicine for the West, revised
edition published (2010) by Rowman & Littlefield, Lantham, MD, Envy Theory: Perspectives on the Psychology of Envy, published
(2010), and a contributor to Kaplan & Sadockʼs Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry edited by Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz, published by Lippincott
William & Wilkins Wolters/Kluver, 8 th ed., 2005, and 9 th ed., 2009. Dr. Ninivaggi is on the review board of ELEMENTS
Pratibha Shah , MD (Ayurveda)
Graduate Student, School of Public Health, Boston University, MA
Pratibha Shah holds a Post Graduate degree in Ayurveda, from the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India. She moved to US
in 2004, from New Delhi, India, where she was working as Chief Medical Officer, at CGHS (Central Govt. Health Scheme). During her
eleven years of clinical practice, she has engaged in public health activities besides regular clinical duty, including two stints with
WHO. Presently, she is a member of ISAH (International Society for Ayurveda and Health) and is engaged in a variety of voluntary
work and academic activities. She has a deep interest in Public Health and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Health
program at Boston University School of Public Health.

Ajaya Sharma, MD, PhD
Professor of Internal Medicine
Director, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sharma is Director of National Institute of Ayurveda, School of Ayurvedic Medicine, Jaipur, India, an autonomous
organization of Central Government of India, Department of AYUSH. He is also the Professor and Head of Ayurvedic Medicine. Prof. Sharma
has an extensive experience of more than 30 years in Academic, Clinical and Research activities. He is a Gold Medalist. He was awarded
M.D. in Ayurvedic Medicine from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. Afterwards he was awarded Ph.D. and Diploma in Yoga.
Prof. Sharma has authored thirteen standard books on Ayurveda and published more than 120 Research Papers. He has contributed
chapters to the prestigious volumes of Ayurveda – Kaya Chikitsa (Internal medicine) – Panchakarma published by CRC Press,
Boca Reton-London-New York-Washington, and Argentina. He has guided 15 Ph.D. and 50 M.D. students. He serves as member and
Ayurveda Expert at various National and International Universities, Institutes, Organizations. He is involved in teaching and training of
National & International Scholars. Prof. Sharma has richly contributed in the field of Rasayana (Geriatrics) and Panchakarma.
Some of the important Research Contributions made by Prof. Sharma are in the field of Dyslipidemia, I.H.D., Sleep disorders, Obesity and
Diabetes. Prof. Sharma is recipient of several important awards for his outstanding contributions in the field of Ayurvedic
Research and Panchakarma.
Adam Silverman, MD
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Medical Director of the UCONN Medical Group
UCONN School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
Dr. Silverman received his medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University and did his medical residency at Northwestern
University Medical School in Chicago, where he served as Chief Medical Resident. He then went on to spend 5 years in private practice
in Chicago and Norwalk, CT before settling into a career as an academic physician at the UCONN School of Medicine. Since 2001, Initially
hired as a primary care physician and hospitalist, he quickly became invested in graduate medical education participating as a site director
and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Programs. Dedicated to the training of the next generation of clinicians,
Dr. Silverman served on the Governor‘s Council of the CT ACP, eventually chairing the Associates Council, and was elected to serve on the
Program Planning Committee for the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine, a national Internal Medicine educational society.
His commitment to teaching has been recognized as he is a 4-time winner of the U‘Conn Internal Medicine residency programs‘
―Excellence in Teaching‖ award. Committed to excellence in patient care, Dr. Silverman was asked to lead the hospitalist group at John
Dempsey Hospital and was subsequently promoted to Chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine. Most recently he was
appointed as interim Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at the UConn School of Medicine and is the interim Medical Director of the UConn
Medical Group, the 256-member faculty practice plan at the University of Connecticut Health Center
Pramod Srivastava, MD. PhD
Professor
Physicians Health Services Chair in Immunology
Director, Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases
Director, Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Srivastava received his MD degree from the university of Connecticut School of Medicine and PhD from Center for cellular and molecular
biology Hydrabad, India. Dr. Srivastava is well known for his pioneering work in the field of heat shock protein.
Anthony T. Vella PhD
Associate Professor of Immunology,
The University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington Connecticut.
Dr. Vella received his PhD from Cornell University, Ithaca New York in 1993 and thereafter pursued postdoctoral studies at The National
Jewish Center for Immunology Respiratory Medicine, Denver Colorado. Through this time his research interests have been broadly centered
on the role of inflammation in the immune system and disease. His current research uses cellular approaches to assess how cytokine,
costimulatory, or pattern recognition receptor pathways can be exploited to gain insight into the basic mechanisms of T cell activation and
their influence on the innate immune system. The recent work from his laboratory has shown that inflammatory responses mediated by cytokines,
costimulation or pattern recognition receptors can provide important environmental signals that impact the outcome of T cell behavior.
By modulating the dose, timing or type of signal both CD4 and CD8 T cells can undergo fundamental changes in cell growth, cytokine secretion
potential, migration, and survivability. While much of this work depends upon immunobiological approaches application of a liquid-based
proteomic strategy to discover molecular mechanisms of cell function and to reveal inflammatory-based biomarkers has proven to be a valuable
tool in understanding how inflammation is initiated. It is hypothesized this approach may provide new clues to control unwanted inflammatory
responses.
Stephen K Wikel, PhD
Senior Associate Dean for Research, Professor and Chairman,
Department of Basic Medical Sciences
Quinnipiac University School of Medicine
Wikel has more than 30 years experience as a teacher, researcher and administrator. Most recently he was a professor of pathology and
senior scientist in the Center for Tropical Diseases, Bio-defense and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas Medical
Branch in Galveston, Texas. Over the course of his career, he has taught courses in pathobiology, immunology, medical microbiology,
infectious diseases, parasitology, histology and hematology. Wikel has also conducted cutting-edge research and been on faculty at a
number of institutions including the University of South Dakota, University of North Dakota, Oklahoma State University and the University
of Connecticut.