Posts classified under: cohort 8

I was born and raised in the housing projects of East LA. I attended public schools in Downtown LA and Sunland-Tujunga and was accepted into UC Davis with the hopes of becoming a veterinarian as an Animal Science major. That was until my 2^nd year, in which I was encouraged to join Dr. Michael R. Miller’s lab and learned to use bioinformatics to build a genetic map for rainbow trout. I then went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Harvard University and was trained in Dr. Alex Soukas’ lab where we used genetic approaches in C. elegans to study the mechanistic underpinnings of aging and aging-related diseases. My Ph.D. project focused generally on understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-aging effects of metformin (a highly prescribed anti-diabetic medication for T2D patients). My thesis project focused on the discovery and characterization of a novel set of molecular effectors involved in metformin’s prolongevity effects. Following genetic screening in C. elegans, I discovered that genes involved in ether lipid biosynthesis operate downstream of metformin to extend lifespan in C. elegans. Through subsequent genetic, imaging, biochemical, and lipidomic analyses, I have demonstrated that ether lipids serve as a lynchpin not only for metformin lifespan extension, but also multiple prolongevity paradigms related to dietary restriction, TOR inhibition, and reduction of mitochondrial function. At UCLA, I am now working in Dr. Claudio Villanueva’s lab to broaden my genetics skillset using tissue culture and mice to 1) understand the mechanistic link between translation and adipocyte tissue metabolism and 2) investigate the genetic mechanism underlying the hepatic molecular response to adipose tissue lipolysis. The advice and support I received from my past mentors were pivotal in my journey to understanding scientific research and using genetics as a tool to understand biological processes. Thus, I have a firsthand understanding of how extremely critical college-level mentors can be in advising future scientists, especially for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students, like myself, and hope to be an inspiring mentor for diverse, future generations of STEM professionals.

I was born and raised in Tamil Nadu, India, located at the southern tip of the subcontinent. I received a Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree in Biotechnology at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, India. During my final year, I was hired as a Genetic Researcher for Histogenetics, LLC, New York, a pioneer in Human Leukocyte Antigen research. Because of my passion to study neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), I then joined the laboratory of Dr. Theo Palmer at Stanford University where I investigated how gene-environment interactions contribute to autism. To continue my work on NDDs, I joined the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) and earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Under the guidance of Dr. Shafali Jeste, I studied electrophysiological biomarkers in Dup15q syndrome, a rare genetic disorder highly penetrant for NDDs. Funded by the Dup15q Alliance, my work led to the identification of abnormal sleep physiology in children with this condition that may have implications on their cognition and development. As a postdoctoral fellow, under the mentorship of Dr. Peyman Golshani, I will investigate the molecular and cellular underpinnings of abnormal brain oscillations during sleep in Dup15q syndrome and expand our investigation and understanding of sleep physiology in the clinical population. Using genetic mouse models and innovative neuroimaging tools developed in the Golshani lab including the E-scope (integrated miniaturized microscopy and electrophysiology), I will study changes in sleep physiology and oscillatory synchronization across brain regions during sleep in mice.

As a first-generation Indian, navigating my science journey has been challenging. Every stage of my career thus far has been educational and transformational in making me who I am today. I am grateful to have found extraordinary mentors that motivate me and create a supportive environment for me to grow. I hope to use these experiences and help create opportunities for others here and back home in India. I am passionate about increasing educational opportunities, especially for minority students. I serve as a neuroscience outreach coordinator for the UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI) and work closely with the LAUSD schools in Los Angeles to bring neuroscience education and awareness to K-12 children in low-income/low-opportunity communities. In the long term, I hope to obtain an academic position where I could continue to conduct my research on sleep in NDDs and expand my teaching and advocacy efforts to promote equity and inclusivity in STEM. In my free time, I love to bake and explore new hiking trails.