Krisha Aghi

Bio:

I was born in Japan but I grew up in Singapore and India, finishing high school in New Delhi before coming to the US for my bachelor’s degree. I completed my Sc.B in Neuroscience at Brown University, and received my PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. My doctoral research was conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Ehud Isacoff, and focused on uncovering the mechanisms that govern synaptic release and homeostatic plasticity using the glutamatergic Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction. At UCLA I will conduct research in the laboratory of Dr. Stephanie Correa, and my main questions will center on the interplay between corticosteroids and gonadal hormones (estrogen, progesterone) in regulating neural function in the hypothalamus and associated areas. I will examine how large-scale changes in metabolism are affected by manipulations of these hormones and delineate the hormone-sensitive circuits responsible.
I am a South Asian, disabled, trans woman of color and my overarching academic goals are aligned firmly with my marginalized identities. As a trans woman of color I am concerned with the ongoing increase of anti-trans sentiment and legislation that weaponizes incorrect principles and interpretations of biology. I want to work within my academic capacity to bring new perspectives to the field of neuroendocrinology that are not just trans-inclusive but rigorize the field by incorporating a trans perspective. My goals to achieve this are two-fold: First, to conduct research on gonadal steroids and corticosteroids and examine how neural function is precisely modulated by said hormones in a sex-category independent manner, and second, to rigorize how neuroendocrinology is taught by incorporating a sex variable based framework.  I am particularly focused on improving the quality of life of trans people of color, and center my work within academia for them. I am excited to be a part of the IRACDA program and am looking forward to honing both my pedagogical and research skills with a community of incredible scholars.