Dr. Karthikeyan P R

Dentist Turned Epidemiologist

Hi, I’m Dr. Karthikeyan P R — a dentist-turned-epidemiologist with a deep passion for public health and mental well-being. I began my career as a commissioned dental officer in the Indian Army and eventually found my calling in health research. Currently, I serve as a Research Coordinator at SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation), where I lead youth-focused mental health initiatives that creatively combine science with art, including interactive theatre and community-based interventions.
My research spans across suicide prevention, mental health during COVID, delays in cancer diagnosis, leprosy, and chronic disease management, with some of my works published in international journals. I enjoy working at the intersection of clinical practice, public health, and data, and I’m especially drawn to projects that are grounded in community realities.
Outside of research, I continue to run a small dental practice that serves working-class families in suburban Chennai, a space that keeps me rooted and connected.
When I’m not immersed in work, you’ll probably find me binge-watching rom-coms or an unending OTT series, or getting completely absorbed in a high-energy Telugu film with a predictably heroic ending. I’m also a longtime fan of Roman Polanski’s cinema — contradictions make life interesting.
Write to me at: karthikeyan@scarfindia.org