Anwesha Banerjee, Ph.D.
Neuroscientist · Medical Science Liaison · TEDx Speaker · Mental Health Advocate

AnweshaBanerjee, Ph.D.

Bridging the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. Championing mental health, one conversation at a time.

Scientist at heart.
Storyteller by choice.

Roots in Kolkata, India · Now in San Jose, California

I'm a neuroscientist and Medical Science Liaison who believes science only matters when it reaches people. My work at Axsome Therapeutics sits at the intersection of cutting-edge sleep research and real patient outcomes — translating complex science into conversations that move healthcare forward.

Beyond the lab and the clinic, I've spent years cultivating the craft of communication. As a TEDx Speaker and former Board member of Toastmasters International, I've coached and inspired thousands on turning stage fright into a superpower, using the very neuroscience I study.

Rooted in a deep curiosity for how the brain works, I carry a strong conviction that better science communication is one of the most urgent needs of our time — and mental health advocacy, one of its most important applications.

🧠Neuroscience
🎤Public Speaking
🤝KOL Development
📊Strategic Thinking
💬Strategic Comms
🌿Mental Health Advocacy
🔬Drug Development
🌐Cross-functional Leadership
Anwesha Banerjee, Ph.D.
Find me online
A neuroscientist who discovered that the cure for stage fright isn't avoiding the stage — it's understanding what your brain is doing when you're standing on it.
Medical Science Liaison · Axsome Therapeutics
Jun 2024 – Present · San Jose, California (Remote)
Serving as a scientific expert and trusted resource for healthcare professionals in sleep therapeutics. Providing up-to-date information on sleep disorders, current research, and the latest treatment options — bridging scientific discovery and clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients with sleep disorders.
Jun 2024 – Present
Axsome Therapeutics
Medical Science Liaison
Scientific expert and field liaison in sleep therapeutics — collaborating with clinicians, gathering field insights, and supporting research and development in the mental health space.
Aug 2022 – Aug 2024 · 2 yrs
Toastmasters International
Member, Board of Directors
Elected to the Board of Directors of the world's leading organization devoted to communication and leadership. Participated in strategic plan development, high-level policy direction, and financial oversight of the organization.
Feb 2022 – May 2024 · 2 yrs 3 mos
Annexon Biosciences
Scientist II
Led preclinical programs to develop therapeutic strategies for neurological and autoimmune disorders. Expert in in vivo model development, target validation, biomarker screening, and cross-functional CRO collaborations.
Jun 2015 – Mar 2022 · 6 yrs 10 mos
Emory University School of Medicine
Assistant Scientist (Apr 2019 – Mar 2022) · Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Jun 2015 – Mar 2019)
Researched molecular and behavioral deficits in animal models of Fragile X syndrome and Myotonic Dystrophy. Mentored research associates and contributed to CNS research strategy.
Jul 2016 – Jun 2021 · 5 yrs
Toastmasters International
District Director (2020–2021) · Program Quality Director (2019–2020) · Club Growth Director (2016–2019)
Progressive leadership across district-level roles — driving club growth, member retention, program quality, and district-wide strategic initiatives across Greater Atlanta Area.
Ph.D., Neuroscience
The University of Texas at Dallas
2011 – 2015
M.S., Cognition & Neuroscience
The University of Texas at Dallas
2009 – 2011
Executive Education — Data Science
UC Berkeley
2019
M.S., Biotechnology
Bangalore University
India
Licenses & Certifications
MSL Industry Certified — Cheeky Scientist (2021) Drug Development — Coursera / UCSD (2019) Business Foundations Specialization — Wharton / Coursera (2016)
Neuroscience Medical Affairs Drug Development Sleep Therapeutics KOL Development Molecular Biology In Vivo Model Development Target Validation Clinical Research Strategic Communications Public Speaking Cross-functional Leadership Strategic Planning Organizational Leadership Mental Health Advocacy
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Research spanning autism, Fragile X syndrome, ALS/FTD, narcolepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders — from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies.
Narcolepsy Autism Fragile X Syndrome Neurodevelopmental Disorders Repeat Expansion Disorders ALS / FTD
View on Google Scholar ↗
500+
Total Citations
10+
Publications
150
Top Cited Paper
Impairment of cortical GABAergic synaptic transmission in an environmental rat model of autism
A Banerjee, F García-Oscos, S Roychowdhury, LC Galindo, S Hall, et al.
International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 16(6), 1309–1318
150
cited by
2013
Aberrant RNA translation in fragile X syndrome: From FMRP mechanisms to emerging therapeutic strategies
A Banerjee, MF Ifrim, AN Valdez, N Raj, GJ Bassell
Brain Research, 1693, 24–36
139
cited by
2018
Chimeric Peptide Species Contribute to Divergent Dipeptide Repeat Pathology in c9ALS/FTD and SCA36
Neuron
Neuron
82
cited by
2020
Abnormal emotional learning in a rat model of autism exposed to valproic acid in utero
A Banerjee, CT Engineer, BL Sauls, AA Morales, MP Kilgard, JE Ploski
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 8, 387
74
cited by
2014
Overexpression of Homer1a in the basal and lateral amygdala impairs fear conditioning and induces an autism-like social impairment
Banerjee A, Luong J, Ho A Saib
Molecular Autism
51
cited by
2016
See all publications on Google Scholar ↗