Dr. Mai Uchida stands out as a pediatric psychiatrist, a passionate neuroscience researcher, and a globally recognized advocate for mental health, scientific literacy, and gender equality. Her multifaceted career spans across various fields, reflecting her dedication to both science and societal wellbeing.
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Uchida played a pivotal role in combating vaccine hesitancy in Japan through her work as a science communicator. Recognized for her efforts, she received the 2022 Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award, contributing to CoV-Navi, a non-profit organization focused on providing accurate information about COVID vaccines. Sharing her personal experience of receiving the mRNA vaccine while pregnant, she significantly influenced vaccine acceptance among pregnant and lactating individuals, playing a crucial role in Japan’s federal vaccine rollout and media communications. Her outreach efforts were instrumental in helping Japan achieve one of the highest vaccination rates globally.
