This happened over and over, in different villages. I was amazed at how fascinated they were by a pen, an object that is so familiar to all of us,' she said.

Brijnath has been invited to the Global Forum for Health Research to be held in Havanna, Cuba.

'I will have the chance to meet with people who are making strides improving health and education, and reducing poverty across the world,' she was quoted as saying.

'And as I've never been to Cuba, I am really looking forward to getting a feel for the local culture and the people.'

Brijnath is working on her PhD that investigates how families in India care for a relative with dementia.

It touches on the causes of dementia, caregivers' experiences, and the stigma attached to the disease. She hopes that her research will result in the Indian government providing better services for people with dementia.

'I hope to complete my PhD in 2010, and then continue in academia. I also want to return to India at some point, and teach for a while.'