– Dr Monisha Ravikumar
Neurorehabilitation is evolving beyond traditional approaches, embracing a broader understanding of recovery that integrates behaviour, sleep and the environment. Nominated as a touchNEUROLOGY Future Leader 2025, and in collaboration with the European Sleep Research Society, Dr Monisha Ravikumar, postdoctoral researcher in Health and Behaviour Change at Loughborough University, UK, shares her journey from clinical physiotherapy in India to behavioural health research in the UK.
Her work explores how sleep hygiene, environmental stressors and inclusive research practices can influence recovery and resilience. Drawing on cross-disciplinary mentorship and international collaborations, Dr Ravikumar highlights the need to centre equity and holistic care in neurorehabilitation. Her insights reflect a shift towards more person-centred, system-aware models that connect individual outcomes with global health priorities.
Three years ago, I believed that being a good physiotherapist and researcher meant focusing solely on rehabilitation exercises and patient outcomes. Gradually, I began to understand that health extends much deeper, into behaviour, sleep and even the environments we inhabit.
My journey began in India, where I worked as an Assistant Professor at SRM Institute of Science and Technology. Teaching students and working with patients in physiotherapy and rehabilitation gave me a strong foundation in exercise prescription. However, it also prompted larger questions: why do some individuals recover better than others, even when they receive the same treatment? That curiosity stayed with me as I moved to the UK, where my postdoctoral research now focuses on behaviour change and sleep health.
Exploring how overheating in London homes disrupts sleep, or how adults with learning disabilities can benefit from tailored sleep hygiene tools, showed me that recovery is not just physical, it is behavioural, environmental and social as well.
Along the way, I was fortunate to have mentors, Dr Iuliana Hartescu and Professor Emeritus Kevin Morgan, who encouraged me to look beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. They helped me connect clinical practice with broader systems, linking sleep to environmental determinants of health, or considering how cultural and social factors shape research.
That mindset taught me that curiosity does not require leaving behind your field; it involves expanding it to discover connections you had not previously noticed.
This perspective has also shaped my work beyond the lab and clinic. As Education and Training Lead for the European Sleep Research Society’s Early Career Network, I have collaborated with colleagues around the world on projects such as a global survey on the barriers researchers face in attending international conferences. These range from financial constraints to cultural and language challenges. Such issues serve as a powerful reminder that research is not just about data, it is about people, equity and inclusion.
The more I have worked across these areas, the clearer it has become that research must align with global priorities. Whether it is connecting sleep to health recovery, addressing environmental factors such as temperature regulation, or tackling inequalities in access to scientific communities, I now ask: how does this contribute to resilience, inclusion and long-term impact? That question guides every project I undertake.
Participation in the ESRS Conferences: Challenges for Early Career Professionals | ESRS
Available at: https://youtu.be/ehvASj-Jswo?feature=shared
Balancing these diverse projects has not always been straightforward. Like many others, I have questioned whether I was straying too far from “core” research. But I have learned that being organised is not only about managing time, it is also about managing doubt.
Each new challenge, whether designing sleep hygiene resources or shaping educational initiatives, has brought fresh energy and skills I never anticipated acquiring.
Today, while I still value rigour and specialization, I have also embraced a holistic view of neurological care. For me, progress lies in integrating behavioural, environmental and social dimensions alongside clinical advances. I believe the future of research depends on empowering diverse voices, particularly from under-represented regions, to shape that vision collectively.
About Monisha Ravikumar
Dr Monisha Ravikumar is a postdoctoral researcher in Health and Behaviour Change at Loughborough University, UK. She began her career as an Assistant Professor in physiotherapy at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India, with expertise in rehabilitation and exercise prescription. Her current work focuse ndcs on sleep research, environmental determinants of health and behaviour change interventions. She serves as the Education and Training Lead for the Early Career Network at the European Sleep Research Society and collaborates with the ESRS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to support equitable access and participation in scientific communities worldwide.
Further content in sleep and neurorehabilitation
This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchNEUROLOGY. Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Editor: Katey Gabrysch, Editorial Director.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchNEUROLOGY in collaboration with Monisha Ravikumar. The content was developed and edited by human editors. No fees or funding were associated with its publication. touchNEUROLOGY utilize AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat). Monisha Ravikumar has nothing to disclose in relation to this interview.
Cite: Monisha Ravikumar. Connecting sleep, environment and neurorehabilitation with Dr Monisha Ravikumar: touchNEUROLOGY Future Leader 2025. 01 September 2025.
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