Saurav Shrestha Name: Saurav Shrestha Educational background: Chemistry (BA), Bennington College Mentors: Drs. Robert Innis and Per Svenningsson Area of study: Neuroscience Current location: NIH (Bethesda) Research interests: Mood and anxiety disorders using PET imaging Contact information: Saurav.Shrestha@NIH.gov Personal Statement: Saurav developed an early fascination with science, majoring in Chemistry at Bennington College. Because he wished for a more ‘tangible’ way of contributing to human health, after graduation he decided to pursue neuroscience. He joined the Pain Research Center at Harvard University, and spent two enjoyable years learning neuroscience, doing basic research using many ‘cool’ techniques, and publishing a first-author article before deciding to pursue a PhD. Saurav matriculated into the joint NIH–Karolinska PhD partnership program in 2009. He chose to do his PhD thesis under the guidance of Drs. Robert Innis and Per Svenningsson. His emerging interest on brain disorders led him to study the effects of maternal separation and antidepressant treatment during brain development on the serotonin system, which is implicated in mood disorders. His thesis work uses state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging to study brain functioning and successfully integrates two complementary approaches—in vivo PET and in vitro molecular techniques—within his research. After receiving his PhD in 2013, Saurav plans to embrace a career as a physician-scientist involved in both patient care and translational research, using an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to explore the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorders. |
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