ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT ANKITA MANDAL, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
Columbia University | New York, United States | Advancing SDG 5, SDG 10 & UNAI 8
" What excites me most about the Millennium Scholars Program is the chance to work alongside curious, driven peers who are passionate about creating change. I'm eager to exchange ideas across disciplines, learn from diverse perspectives, and sharpen the skills needed to transform research into real-world solutions—particularly in advancing women’s health, medicine, and equitable access to care. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: The MotherMind Project
The MotherMind Project is an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing maternal and child emotional well-being in communities disproportionately affected by postpartum depression. Central to the project is ongoing engagement with women in rural areas surrounding Kolkata, where conversations with young and new mothers provide insight into the complex social, emotional, and economic factors shaping early motherhood. These dialogues reveal significant gaps in mental health literacy, limited avenues for support, and the profound impact that untreated maternal distress can have on early childhood development.
Guided by these community-identified needs, the MotherMind Project is producing a suite of culturally attuned emotional regulation resources for mothers and children. These include interactive media, early childhood stories designed to introduce self-soothing concepts, and accessible, science-informed strategies that integrate seamlessly into daily routines. Complementing this work are digital materials intended to reach regions with limited in-person services. The overarching aim is to strengthen emotional resilience, enhance early developmental outcomes, and foster healthier intergenerational bonds.
About the Millennium Fellow
Ankita Mandal is a sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia University, studying Neuroscience and Behavior with a focus on women’s health and medicine. She has conducted research at the intersection of AI and nutrition, explored cancer genomics at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and contributed to reproductive health innovation through Manglovo Health. Her work spans scientific research, health journalism, and community engagement, all driven by a commitment to advancing equitable reproductive care and maternal health. Ankita aims to bridge research and policy to create impactful, evidence-based solutions in women’s health globally.
