Miraj Desai Obituary-Death News; Yale University Assistant Professor Of Psychiatry Passes Away

Dr. Miraj Desai was a well respected assistant professor at the Department of Psychiatry’s Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH). His abrupt and terrible death has left the Yale University School of Medicine in mourning.

On Sunday, November 5, 2023, Dr. Desai, 41, departed from this life. He left behind a legacy of revolutionary contributions to the domains of structural psychology and mental health research. His birth year was 1982.

The following news about Miraj Desai’s passing was posted on Facebook by Arnond Sakworawich, who wrote, “I am extremely shocked and sad to hear the following news.”

One of my closest pals at Fordham University is Miraj. We used to hang out at various conferences and on campus. This is really a sad occasion. Miraj is an intelligent Indian son. May peace be upon his soul.

A valued member of the Yale community since 2011, Dr. Miraj Desai was widely recognized for his commitment to creating a better world through his work in academia and community engagement.

Despite the absence of details surrounding the cause of his death, the Yale community is united in grief, remembering Dr. Desai for his unwavering dedication and innovative contributions to the field.

Throughout his academic journey at Yale, Dr. Desai held various roles, including Resident Fellow of Pierson College and affiliated faculty positions in the Center on Climate Change and Health, as well as the Yale School of Public Health.

His groundbreaking work in “structural psychology” focused on examining the structural bases of health, equity, and inequity, with his concept of “implicit organizational bias” earning him a prestigious K01 award from the National Institute on Minority Health and Disparities (NIMHD).

Dr. Desai’s research on culture, community, race, and racism garnered significant recognition and funding through various awards, including a Pioneering Ideas Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a KL2 Scholar Award from the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation/NIH.

His influential book, “Travel and Movement in Clinical Psychology: The World Outside the Clinic,” explored the connection between mental health and structural oppression.

Honors and recognitions adorned Dr. Miraj Desai’s career, including being named a 40 under 40 Leader in Health by the National Minority Quality Forum in 2022.

His impact extended beyond academia, as evidenced by his collaboration with Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church, addressing recovery and structural racism from a community-centered perspective.

Survived by his wife, Dr. Usha Reena Rungoo, and son, Indra, as well as his mother, Maya Desai, and brother, Neil Desai, Dr. Miraj Desai’s profound impact on mental health research and practice will be remembered by many.

His dedication to community engagement, participatory research, and addressing structural issues resonated deeply with colleagues and communities alike.

The Yale community and beyond are invited to join in mourning and remembering Dr. Miraj Desai. Details about departmental town hall meetings and memorial services are forthcoming, providing an opportunity for friends, colleagues, and admirers to pay their respects to a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on the world of mental health research.

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