Dr. Pria Anand, a neurologist with a background in India, has won the 2026 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award for her debut book, “The Mind Electric, A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains.” The $10,000 prize recognizes her exceptional prose in bringing complex biological concepts to life. The award was announced during the 62nd Annual PEN America Literary Awards ceremony in New York City on March 31.
Judges praised Anand for her unique blend of clinical case studies and personal memoir, offering a dual perspective on the intersection of culture, storytelling, and the brain. Anand’s journey from India to the United States for education has shaped her rich cross-cultural background.
In her book, Anand challenges the traditional medical model by emphasizing the influence of human identity and personal history on illness experience. Her writing style is reminiscent of Oliver Sacks, focusing on the impulse for storytelling after neurological injury.
Currently working as an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, Anand has also contributed to publications like The New York Times and The New Yorker. The PEN/E.O. Wilson Award, established in 2011, recognizes writing that makes science accessible to the public.
For Anand, the award represents a milestone in her career as a physician-author who bridges the gap between clinical precision and the humanity of her patients’ lives.
