Research & Experience
Current Neuroscience Research
Title: Decoding the computational role of adult neurogenesis in hippocampus
Supervisor: Professor Federico Calegari, CRTD at TU Dresden
Description
In my current position I study a unique hippocampal sub-region, the dentate gyrus (DG). DG is one of the only two regions in the brain that undergo adult neurogenesis, which is thought to aid with the formation of new memories and learning of novel tasks. I independently set up in-vivo neuroelectrophysiology in the Calegari lab and am now using this technique to study the computational role of DG adult neurogenesis in various memory processes in the mouse brain.
Past NeuroPhysics Research
Title: Developing techniques to study Neuroscience using concepts and methodologies of Nanotechnology
Supervisor: Professor Mayank Mehta, W. M. Keck Center for Neurophysics at UCLA
Description
My first exploration in Neuroscience began with studying the brain’s seat of memory and learning, the Hippocampus. Using the rat model and electrophysiology, I acquired and analyzed Hippocampus CA1 neural responses to surrounding space and various external stimuli. Also, using my expertise in nanotechnology, I started the development of a completely new technique to acquire neural responses using optics and nanomaterials.
PhD Physics Thesis Research
Title: Quadratic coupling between a classical nanomechanical oscillator and a single spin
Supervisor: Assistant Professor Brian R. D’Urso, University of Pittsburgh
Description
I theoretically proposed and experimentally realized a system consisting of a nanomechanical oscillator (NMO) coupled with a single spin through a uniform external magnetic field, enabling a bridge between the quantum and classical worlds. The NMO was fabricated using graphene and the spin originated from a nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in a diamond nanocrystal. Both these systems were individually characterized and their coupling was explored by a simple readout of the NV center spin and observation of the discrete states of the NMO.
Research Skills
Experimental
Instruments and Techniques.
- Designing and building electrical drives for surgical cranial implantation over mouse and rat brain
- Designing, implementing and analyzing behavioral memory tasks in real world and VR for mice and rats
- Mouse and rat handling, task-training and cranial surgeries
- Working with various autistic rat models, and comparisons with wild types.
- NeuroElectrophysiology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Optical setups (Confocal and Fluorescence), Raman, scanning electron and optical microscopes
- Microfabrication using lithography (photo and deep UV), etching (chemical and plasma), diamond turning machine, sputtering systems and chemical vapor deposition
- Cryogenic (∼4 K, using pulse tube cryorefrigerator) and vacuum systems
- RF and Microwave signal acquisition and processing
Computational
Languages, Softwares and Techniques.
- MATLAB, Python, Mathematica
- OpenEphys, Neuralynx, Bonsai, DeepLabCut, Plexon Offline Sorter
- Arduino Microcontroller programming
- AutoCAD (2D and 3D), Inkscape, Affinity Designer, ImageJ, Solidworks, Google SketchUp
- LATEX
Proficient at leading research projects with graduate and undergraduate students.
