Mental Health Champions: Why & How Mariam Khayretdinova Of Brainify.AI Is Helping To Champion Mental Wellness

An Interview With Michelle Tennant Nicholson

Practicing self-compassion: I tend to be hard on myself, so practicing self-compassion is a work in progress. But I’m learning to be kinder to myself, even when things don’t go as planned. And let’s face it, with my pottery skills, things don’t always go as planned!

As a part of our series about Mental Health Champions helping to promote mental wellness, I had the pleasure to interview Mariam Khayretdinova.

Mariam Khayretdinova is the Co-founder and CEO of Brainify.AI, an AI/ML biomarker platform for novel treatment development aimed at female depression, which increases the likelihood of new drug approval by 80% and reduces R&D costs by $1.5B. Prior to co-founding Brainify.AI, Mariam held various positions in technology for over 10 years — from Data Analyst to Senior Business Consultant with companies such as Coca-Cola, Unlivelier and EPAM Systems, where she modeled business process optimization for a variety of top investment banks in Russia. She has also held positions in medical research field such as Senior Research Assistant at Lisa Maeng Lab Wheaton College and Harvard Medical School where she focused on sex differences in COVID-19 media exposure effect on sleep and emotional memory. In 2022, she was a Research Fellow at Brainclinics Foundation where she focused on the application of machine learning to identify biomarkers for treatment response prediction based on electroencephalography (EEG) data.

Mariam holds a Master of Liberal Arts in Psychology from Harvard and combined B.S./M.S. degrees in Applied Mathematics. Mathematical Methods in Economics from Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics, and Informatics.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?

I’m a neuroscientist from Harvard and the CEO & Founder of Brainify.AI, I have a deep personal connection to the issue of mental illness, particularly postpartum depression. My mother’s struggle with this condition has driven me to pursue a path that aims to help others who are suffering from similar mental health challenges. I want to change that and help as many people as I can bybringing more precise depression treatment to the market.

You are currently leading an initiative that is helping to promote mental wellness. Can you tell us a bit more specifically about what you are trying to address?

My company, Brainify.AI, Mariam Khayretdinova, is an AI/ML biomarker platform for novel treatment development aimed at female depression, which increases the likelihood of new drug approval by 80% and reduces R&D costs by $1.5B for pharma companies. My company’s goal is to increase the number of approved drugs for treating female depression issues by identifying biomarkers for treatment response prediction during clinical phase II, using these biomarkers for recruitment criteria, and qualifying patients for clinical phase III.

This is urgent for women because pharma companies are investing more than $80B annually in R&D for new therapeutics and over $8B have been invested in postpartum depression therapeutics R&D over the last 10 years. However, only one drug received FDA approval for post-partum depression in 2019 (Sage Therapeutics).

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?

I went through depression myself and I tried to over 10 different medications to find something that would actually work. What also got me thinking about the issues that would underpin Brainify.AI was that I knew of the stories of suicide attempts amongst members of my family. All of this made me question “what’s going on inside someone’s brain?” and “why did they decide to go against evolution and try to kill themselves?” And I decided I would like to find an answer.

Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?

I got my master’s degree in mathematics, and I worked in the tech industry for a while. Then after that I had an opportunity to study the most important computer in the world…the brain. But my first “a-ha” moment came after looking at the research from various institutions when I realized that much could be done to help decode the brain a little bit by combining neuroscience, mathematics, and modern technology — including computational power. This could us help understand what’s going on in the brain and ultimately how can we treat mental disorders.

My second “a-ha” moment came when I was researching sex differences in mental health. What really triggered me was when I learned how women are so under studied, as most drug treatments are tested on males even though women suffer from depression way more often than men do. It gave me the idea that we need to separately study women and understand how we can help them to feel better.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?

During a recent WSJ health conference, an investor made the statement that “any good science startups will be funded.” However, I wasn’t afraid to challenge this statement during the Q&A session. I asked the investor how he would be able to understand what qualifies as “good science” if they weren’t themselves scientists. The question prompted laughter and likely caused many in the audience to reflect on the importance of communication and understanding between scientists and investors. This exchange highlights the need for critical thinking, asking questions, and maintaining an open mind in the world of scientific startups and investment.

None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?

Yes, I have been fortunate enough to have mentors and cheerleaders who have helped me along the way.

One of my most influential mentors has been Diego Pizzagalli. Diego not only provided guidance and support for my research, but also encouraged me to think critically and creatively about the problems I was trying to solve. He challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and pursue new avenues of research, which ultimately helped me to develop as a scientist and a person.

Another mentor who has had a significant impact on my career is Maurizio Fava, who has been a longstanding collaborator on several research projects. Maurizio has a wealth of experience in the field of psychiatry and has provided invaluable guidance and insight on clinical applications of my research. He has also been a tireless advocate for mental health and has inspired me to use my scientific skills to make a positive impact on society.

Finally, Conor Liston has been a mentor and collaborator who has helped me to see things from a different perspective. Conor is an expert in neuroimaging and has provided guidance on the use of advanced imaging techniques in my research. He has also helped me to think about the broader implications of my work and has encouraged me to pursue new opportunities for collaboration and impact.

Together, these mentors and cheerleaders have helped me to succeed in my career by providing guidance, support, and inspiration. Their influence has been invaluable, and I am grateful for their contributions to my professional and personal growth.

According to Mental Health America’s report, over 44 million Americans have a mental health condition. Yet there’s still a stigma about mental illness. Can you share a few reasons you think this is so?

Stigma around mental illness is still prevalent today, even though over 44 million Americans have a mental health condition. There are many reasons for this, but some of the main ones are lack of education and awareness, cultural and societal factors, fear of being judged or discriminated against, and lack of representation and advocacy.

One of the biggest reasons for stigma is a lack of understanding about mental health conditions. Many people may not know much about them, and so they may hold negative beliefs and stereotypes about mental illness. This can lead to fear, discrimination, and exclusion. Additionally, some cultures and societies may have negative attitudes towards mental illness, which can contribute to stigma.

People with mental health conditions may also fear being judged or discriminated against, which can prevent them from seeking help and support. This fear can be reinforced by negative media portrayals of mental illness or negative experiences with healthcare providers. Additionally, mental illness is often underrepresented in the media and in public discourse, which can contribute to a lack of understanding and awareness about these conditions.

Addressing stigma around mental illness will require a comprehensive approach that involves education, awareness-raising, advocacy, and the promotion of positive media portrayals and messaging around mental health. By working together to reduce stigma, we can create a more supportive and accepting society for everyone.

In your experience, what should a) individuals b) society, and c) the government do to better support people suffering from mental illness?

To better support people suffering from mental illness, there are several things individuals, society, and the government can do.

For individuals, seeking professional help from a therapist or psychiatrist can be an important first step towards recovery. It’s also essential to educate yourself and others about mental illness, speak out about your experiences, and practice self-care. Taking care of your physical and emotional health can help improve your overall well-being and manage symptoms of mental illness.

For society, it’s essential to promote awareness and understanding of mental illness through public education campaigns, media representation, and advocacy efforts. Reducing stigma and discrimination towards people with mental illness can also help create a more supportive and accepting society. Improving access to care and ensuring that mental health care is affordable and accessible to everyone is also crucial.

For the government, investing in mental health care by increasing funding for mental health services and research is critical. Supporting mental health policies, such as workplace mental health programs, school-based mental health services, and community-based mental health initiatives, is also important. Government efforts to combat stigma and discrimination can include funding public awareness campaigns and supporting anti-discrimination policies and programs.

Overall, supporting people with mental illness requires a collective effort from individuals, society, and government. By working together, we can create a more compassionate and understanding environment for everyone.

What are your 5 strategies you use to promote your own well-being and mental wellness? Can you please give a story or example for each?

1. Practicing mindfulness: When it comes to practicing mindfulness, I’m not always the best at focusing. Sometimes my mind wanders, and I catch myself thinking about what I’m going to eat for lunch or that silly TikTok video I saw earlier. But that’s okay! The important thing is that I’m taking a few minutes to be present and breathe, even if it means bringing my mind back to the present moment every few seconds.
2. Engaging in physical activity: I love exercising, but I must admit, I’m not the most coordinated person out there. Sometimes I’ll be doing a workout video, and I’ll trip over my own feet or fall off balance. It’s a good thing I work out alone, or I’d be pretty embarrassed!
3. Connecting with others: As much as I love spending time with friends and family, sometimes socializing can be exhausting. After a long day of socializing, I like to recharge by spending some time alone. And by “alone time,” I mean binge-watching my favorite Netflix show and eating an entire bag of chips.
4. Pursuing hobbies and interests: I’ve recently taken up pottery, and let’s just say, it’s been quite the adventure. The first time I sat down at the pottery wheel, I ended up with more clay on my face and clothes than on the wheel. But after some practice (and a lot of cleanup), I’m starting to get the hang of it!
5. Practicing self-compassion: I tend to be hard on myself, so practicing self-compassion is a work in progress. But I’m learning to be kinder to myself, even when things don’t go as planned. And let’s face it, with my pottery skills, things don’t always go as planned!

Overall, these strategies help me stay grounded and maintain my mental wellness, even if it means tripping over my own feet or getting clay all over my face. It’s all part of the journey!

If you could tell other people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?

If I could tell other people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, I would say that it’s all about creating a better world for ourselves and future generations. When we take care of the planet and the people around us, we are contributing to a brighter and more sustainable future for everyone.

Making a positive impact on our environment and society can be incredibly rewarding, both on a personal and a global level. Whether it’s reducing your carbon footprint, volunteering in your community, or supporting local businesses, every little bit helps. When we come together to create positive change, we can make a real difference in the world around us.

And it’s not just about creating a better world for the future. Making a positive impact can also bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose to our own lives. When we engage with our communities and work towards a common goal, we build meaningful connections and create a sense of belonging. We can also find a sense of purpose and pride in knowing that we are doing our part to make the world a better place.

So, my message to others would be this: think about the kind of world you want to live in, and then take action to make it a reality. Even the smallest actions can have a ripple effect, and together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

How can our readers follow you online?

You can follow me on my LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkhayretdinova/ — and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mariam.khayretdinova/?hl=en

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!

About the Interviewer: Inspired by the father of PR, Edward Bernays (who was also Sigmund Freud’s nephew), Michelle Tennant Nicholson researches marketing, mental injury, and what it takes for optimal human development. An award-winning writer and publicist, she’s seen PR transition from typewriters to Twitter. Michelle co-founded WasabiPublicity.com.