I received my B.Tech in Biotechnology from SRM University, India (2008), and Ph.D in Neuroscience (2014) from the Medical College of Georgia, USA. During my Ph.D work in Dr Lin Mei’s lab, I focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cerebellar development. I then joined Dr Ariel Levine’s laboratory at the National Institutes of Health, USA, where I focused on understanding the molecular basis for functional heterogeneity in the spinal cord and how spinal neurons are integrated into CNS-wide circuits for motor control. 

       I joined the Center for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of Science, as a Ramalingaswami Faculty Fellow in October 2020. My lab is interested in understanding how the integrative action of the brain and the spinal cord enables movement and how dysfunction of the underlying neural circuitry leads to motor disorders.

Hetpriya received her BS-MS in Cell and Molecular Biology from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat. She joined the SensationToAction lab for her Master's thesis work. 

"The jello-like machinery by which we navigate the world, from where the decisions arise, the stuff where imagination and memories are forged, rooted passions in me to explore neuroscience. Why do we behave the way we do? Understanding how one can potentially rewire their machinery excites me most.

'You don't perceive objects as they are, you perceive them as you are!' 

Reading David Eagleman's book "The Brain: The Story of You" made me curious to explore this inner cosmos. Previously as an SRFP 2022 summer intern, I worked on neurodegenerative diseases, which furthered my interest to pursue neuroscience. I want to apply her academic background to understand the cellular basis of behavior. Apart from this, I love reading, painting and enjoy making paper art. You may find me doodling in my free time!"