Biography
My research interests focus on the social and behavioral determinants that influence health and well-being throughout the lifespan. I am particularly interested in understanding how people’s lived experiences, family and community structures, and cultural contexts shape health outcomes.
In my professional journey, I aim to find ways to connect education, medicine, and public health more closely with communities, examining how everyday environments and relationships impact both physical and mental health. This goal aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Some of my ongoing projects examine varying aspects of health inequities, stigma, and structural barriers, while also exploring community-based approaches that foster resilience, strengthen social connections, and promote intergenerational support.
By adopting a lifespan perspective, I aim to contribute to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by emphasizing the importance of social connectedness and community resilience, as well as to SDG 4 (Quality Education) through intergenerational learning and knowledge exchange. I see health as being shaped not only in adulthood, but also by early childhood experiences, social networks, and broader determinants that extend into older age.
Contact Information
Areas of Interest
- Behavioral Sciences
- Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Determinants of Health
Affiliations
- International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE)
- UK Behavioral Science Society
Selected Publications
- Torosian, S., Mousakhani, V., Wehsener, S., Ramnauth, V., G. Walcott-Bedeau. Virtual reality and preclinical medical education: a systematic review of its application and effectiveness. Discov Educ 4, 191 (2025). https://doi-org.sgu.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00628-x
- Ramnauth V A, Rooney P (March 30, 2023) An Atypical Presentation of Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cureus 15(3): e36929. doi:10.7759/cureus.36929
- Nelson, B., Naraine, V., Patterson, C. & S. Rodrigo (2013). “Incidence of Congenital Malformations in Grenada”. Published in the West Indian Medical Journal. The West Indian Medical Journal 05/2015; doi:10.7727/wimj.2013.331
Selected Projects
- Smartphone addiction
- Methylphenidate misuse
- Psychiatric symptoms in carcinoid syndrome
- Cannabis-induced psychosis
- Loneliness and social isolation
- Caregiver burden in autism spectrum disorder
- Socioeconomic status and aging
- Psychosis and the glymphatic system
- Breastfeeding in baby-friendly hospitals
- Robotics in education
SVM Research Faculty
View the SVM faculty involved in research and SVM Adjunct and Cooperating faculty who collaborate with SVM researchers. SVM faculty also collaborate with many other researchers at institutions in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. These collaborations are reflected within the individual SVM faculty research profile.


