Overview
Dr. Kaur is an anesthesiologist specializing in human rights research. She earned her B.S. from Cornell University in 2006, graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College in 2010, and completed her Anesthesiology Residency training at Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital in 2014. She earned a Master's Degree in Medical Anthropology from Harvard University in 2015.
Dr. Kaur's research interests are in advancing the clinical care of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. She has used her extensive training and research in neuroscience as an analytical framework to pioneer the study of human rights through scientific methodology. This has involved clinical research and clinical trials on issues such as chronic pain in torture survivors, mental health of children who are displaced, and trafficking of young women and girls in refugee camps. Her innovative research has been supported by competitive awards from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research, the National Institutes of Health/WCM CTSC KL2 Career Development Award, the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs at Cornell University, and the Office of the President at Cornell University.
Highlights
- 1PLoS medicine · 2020
- 2
- 3PLOS global public health · 2024
Publications
Funding
Active
2 grants- PIR01NS144041-02Prevalence and Associations of Protracted Torture-Related Physical Pain, Hypertension, and Stroke History in Refugees: A Longitudinal Cohort StudyNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2025–2030
- PIK23NS116114-05Chronic Pain Diagnosis and Treatment in Torture SurvivorsNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2020–2026Career
Completed grants (4)
- MPIKL2TR002385-01Clinical and Translational Science Center - KL2National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences · 2017–2022Career
- PIPCCW 194245-01Chronic Pain Assessment in Refugee Torture Survivors: A Multi-Institutional StudyPresident's Council of Cornell Women · 2019–2021
- Co-ICU 200705-01Cornell University Medical-Legal Partnership: Enhancing Care and Advocacy for Immigrants and Asylum-Seekers A Joint Proposal for the President's Visioning Committee on Cornell in NYC Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights and Cornell LawCornell University - Ithaca · 2019–2020
- PIFAER 170909-02A Novel Model for Global Health Education in AnesthesiologyFoundation for Anesthesia Education & Research · 2016–2018
Clinical research
Active
2 studies- PINCT04629963Chronic Pain Diagnosis and Treatment in Torture SurvivorsNA · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)Pain; Pain, Chronic
- PINCT06647511Digital Solutions to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Pregnant Refugee WomenWeill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2024)Gestational Hypertension
Completed & closed trials (3)
- PIAdvancing the Health of Immigrants: Assessing Barriers to Accessing Medical Care or Public Benefits in an Asylum-Seeking PopulationWeill Medical College of Cornell University · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2026)
- PINCT04563507CIMER: Combined Immunotherapies in Metastatic ER+ Breast CancerPHASE2 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · CLOSED TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)Breast Cancer
- PIThe Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights (WCCHR) Cohort Study: An Observational Study of the Demographic, Psychometric, and Biomarker Correlates of Stress among Asylum-Seeking Individuals in the New York City AreaWeill Medical College of Cornell University · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2023)
News mentions
- Dr. Gunisha Kaur Appointed to Federal Commission on Religious FreedomJune 16, 2026
Dr. Gunisha Kaur has been appointed to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency that globally monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.
- Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights Marks 15 Years of Helping People in NeedFebruary 19, 2026
The WCCHR provides survivors of persecution or torture seeking asylum in the U.S. with objective forensic evaluations, which are psychological and physical assessments, including gynecological exams, that can last up to three hours. Since its inception, the center has evaluated more than 1,100 people.
- Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms Surprisingly High in Young RefugeesDecember 5, 2024
Many individuals seeking asylum in the United States show increased stress and pain symptoms that are associated with indications of cardiovascular disease, according to Weill Cornell Medicine researchers.
- Research Team Led By Dr. Gunisha Kaur Wins 2023 National Academy of Medicine Catalyst PrizeDecember 12, 2023
Anesthesiologist and global health expert Dr. Gunisha Kaur and her research team recently won a prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Catalyst Prize.
Show 3 more mentions
- Commentary Calls for Equal Access to Healthcare for DACA Recipients and All ImmigrantsJune 2, 2023
Recent uncertainties regarding the legal status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program underscore the urgency for policymakers to reassess long-standing restrictions on government-sponsored healthcare subsidies for all immigrants.
- Dr. Gunisha Kaur Named NAM Emerging Leader in Health and MedicineSeptember 6, 2022
Dr. Gunisha Kaur, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine and medical director of the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights, has been selected as an Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine (ELHM) Scholar by the National Academy of Medicine.
- Three Weill Cornell Medicine Faculty Win ASCI Young Physician-Scientist AwardsMarch 3, 2022
Three Weill Cornell Medicine faculty members have received Young Physician-Scientist Awards from the American Society for Clinical Investigation. The 2022 award recipients are Drs. Bishoy M. Faltas, Gunisha Kaur and Hasina Outtz Reed.
Mentoring
- SKSargun Kaur VirkPostdoc mentee · 2023–2026
External relationships
Other Interest
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Other
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre