Young researchers don't always get the accolades they deserve, so I was delighted to see a recent story that's bucking this trend. This week Science News released its list of "10 scientists who are making their mark,” and Stanford neuroscientist Priya Rajasethupathy, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow in the lab of Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhD, was featured among them.Rajasethupathy was nominated for this honor by another group of outstanding scientists: Science News polled 30 Nobel Prize winners to learn which young researchers are doing work that's worth watching.
Rajasethupathy's research on how memories are made and stored caught their eye because she's found that long-term memories may leave lasting marks on DNA. (Her work "has been called groundbreaking, compelling and beautifully executed," according to the piece.) By studying sea slugs, she and her colleagues have also identified a tiny molecule that may be involved in memory.
Now Rajasethypathy is expanding on this early work and investigating the neural circuits involved in memory recall. To do this, she's exploring specific genetic mutations to see if they result in abnormal memory behavior. This work may offer insights into neurological disorders, she explains.
Previously: Exploring the role of prion-like proteins in memory disorders, No long-term cognitive effects seen in younger post-menopausal women on hormone therapy and Individuals' extraordinary talent to never forget could offer insights into memory
Photo by Connie Lee; courtesy of Pryia Rajasethupathy
