ABOUT ME
Hi I'm Hema!
Scientist, engineer, fine art enthusiast, and public library dweller.
I believe in critical thinking, open communication (no matter the language), and doing the right thing. I want to keep making the world a better place.
My passion is biomedical research and education. I want to learn how behavioral events influence molecular interactions, particularly at the RNA scale. I am currently a pre-doctoral candidate in UC San Diego’s Biological Sciences program, where I hope to build on my knowledge and answer more questions!
(she/her/hers)
EXPERIENCE
I am an interdisciplinary scientist with over eight years of research experience in academia.
ACTIVITY-DEPENDENT TRANSCRIPTION: I am currently a pre-doctoral candidate in Dr. Gene Yeo’s lab at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. My tentative projects will be characterizing RNA/RNA-Binding-Protein interactions in iPSC derived neurons.
mRNA LOCALIZATION: My work in the Zid Lab explored the effect of translational repression on mRNA localization to stress granules using yeast and mammalian tissue culture systems. I developed a novel protocol to cross-link and visualize transient liquid-liquid phase separated granules via Fluorescence in-situ Hybridization. You can find a version of that protocol here.
COGNITION: While in the Bridgeman and Davidenko labs I investigated cognitive and visual biases such as slope perception and the Left Gaze Bias. This work was presented at multiple conferences and culminated in two submitted publications.
CIRCADIAN BIOCHEMISTRY: I gained significant experience in protein biochemical techniques when characterizing the cancer-testis antigen PASD1 under Dr. Partch. My adaptation of RNAi protocols for circadian evaluation was critical to our publication, and I was able to submit a grant proposal for my division of the project.
SYNAPTIC DEPRESSION: My initial thesis in the Malinow lab explored the effect of the acute antidepressant ketamine on a putative circadian-habenular circuit in a rodent model. I presented my preliminary data at the Judd Symposium.
Curriculum vitae
Teaching
The best thing about learning something new is sharing it with others. Given my varied interests, I've been able to tutor students in a broad range of subjects (STEM and Humanities) and acting as a writing coach.
As a Teaching Assistant and Instructional Assistant at UC San Diego I taught chemistry and “DEI in Human Biology” to undergraduate students, usually to a class of 120 students. I love being able to engage students and help relate abstract concepts (like molecular orbitals) to something they understand and care about (like fluorescent glow sticks).
I was awarded the "Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award" in Winter 2018 by the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, most likely because I think science should be less serious and more silly.
“Getting an education was a bit like catching a sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on.”
My experience as an Academic Coach/Graduate Advocate at PATHways to STEM at UC San Diego has shown me the importance of identify affirmation in STEM, and the need for psychosocial support throughout a student’s life. I founded Tiny Science Club as a way to continue my education outreach activity while transitioning in and out of academia.
