About Me

I’ve always loved science. My scientist dad enriched our home with microscopes, took us to science fairs and performed science experiments with us. As a child, science was about indulging one’s curiosity to know more about the world. My fascination with science continued throughout high school and my undergraduate career.

I decided to become a neuroscientist for two reasons. First, human behaviour and intelligence fascinated me, and I wanted to understand the organ that gave rise to both. Second, neuroscience as a scientific field is filled with unanswered questions and I find that really exciting! I would like to be part of the wave of neuroscientists that inches towards understanding the most complicated organ in the body.

As a scientist, I am committed to making science open (e.g., publishing code online and being as transparent as possible), reproducible (e.g., making sure my methods can be executed by another scientist), and inclusive (working towards making science and academia a place that everyone belongs in).

A few things I do

 

PhD Candidate, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto

I currently work with Dr. Stephanie Ameis and Dr. Sean Hill at the Translational Imaging and Genetics Research (TIGR) Lab located in the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada’s largest mental health research hospital. We’re interested in uncovering some of the mysteries of how the brain is linked to mental health symptoms. My research work can be found here.

Science Communication

I began disseminating neuroscience and mental health research in 2019. This started as a bilingual Instagram account which has created a community of youth across North America and the Middle East eager to learn more about science. Since then, I have spoken on panels, gave workshops, and guest lectures on various topics in science and science communication. More of my science communication work can be found here.

Leadership in Academia

I currently serve as the Chair Organization of Human Brain Mapping (OHBM)’s Student and Postdoc Special Interest Group. The OHBM is one of the largest international brain imaging conferences. Our special interest group puts together events that address mentorship, diversity and inclusion, and challenges in academia for early career neuroscientists with the goal of enhancing their careers. I am also a member of the diversity and inclusion committee at OHBM.

The philosophies of my work.

 

  1. The overarching goal of scientific work is to understand the natural world and the organisms within it. With all the knowledge we continuously learn as scientists, I believe that we should use that knowledge to serve and benefit the broader society.

  2. Collaborations are essential for successful scientific innovation and discovery. I believe it’s ideal to work with collaborators who align on scientific (e.g., open science practices, transparency) and social (e.g., treating others well, lifting colleagues up) values.

  3. No one should compromise their beliefs, values or personalities to become a scientist. Science is about hard work, perseverance, discovery and curiosity.

  4. Scientific information (e.g., research findings, new knowledge about biological mechanisms, the scientific discovery process) should be accessible and inclusive for everyone. Sharing this information to the public is important for maintaining a well-informed society.