Sujata Kelkar Shetty

A curious mind with a love for science and a gift for storytelling, Sujata Kelkar Shetty bridges cutting-edge research and everyday wellness with warmth and wisdom. Trained in the US as a biological scientist, she holds a BS in genetics (University of Wisconsin–Madison) and a PhD in toxicology (University of Kentucky), she then dived into pioneering stress research at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, under Dr George Chrousos—a legend in the field. Her work revolves around decoding how stress tinkers with our immunity, one biomolecule at a time.

Back in India, she swapped lab coats for a pen, becoming a preventive health evangelist. For years, her lively columns in Mint (India’s top business daily) made complex science feel like a friendly chat—mixing modern medicine, ancient ayurveda and real-world doctor insights. Readers loved it so much, she turned her wisdom into the bestselling book 99 Not Out! Your Guide to a Long and Healthy Life (Penguin Random House India, 2019). The book was so popular that Penguin asked for an expanded edition which was published in 2023.

Sujata is also a certified life coach and resilience trainer on a mission to help people and organizations thrive. From Infosys to PricewaterhouseCoopers, her workshops crackle with energy, blending science, humour and practical tools to build unshakable well-being. She trained with Coaches Training Institute and Dr Amit Sood’s Resilient Option.

When she’s not writing or coaching, you’ll find her reading, practising yoga or walking nature trails with her husband, two sons and three dogs. If the mood strikes, she will unwind with Hindustani classical music because even scientists need soulful melodies.