There's always something to learn from everyone, be it their work ethic, positivity, perseverance, or energy.”
Gayathri Subramanian
PhD Candidate in the Department of Psychology
Gayathri Subramanian is a PhD candidate in the Psychology Department in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Her research centers on memory consolidation and sleep, with a targeted focus on memory reactivation and context-memory interaction. Gayathri is also a co-president of Northwestern’s Graduate International Student Association (G-ISA).
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience?
I study how the context (where we are, how we feel, etc.) in which we encode information influences our memory and specifically how context-memory interactions are modulated by sleep.
What is a mistake you have learned from in your career?
My emotional investment to my projects can be a bit overwhelming sometimes especially when they don't turn out the way I expect them to. But I am learning to be more patient and be more objective about my results and progress. As long as I work hard, I should be confident that it'll be a success. It may not be the success I had envisioned but success nevertheless.
What do you find both rewarding and challenging about your research and/or work?
Studying human behavior, our behavior, is both a rewarding and challenging aspect of my work. Human behavior is so variable that sometimes your hypothesis and predictions don't pan out, but that unpredictability is what makes it so fascinating.
What books are on your bedside table?
Mostly thriller and fantasy books. I have always been a fan of books that describe a whole new world, so it is exciting to immerse myself in that space and escape reality for a bit!
What inspires you?
Everyone around me inspires me. There's always something to learn from everyone, be it their work ethic, positivity, perseverance, or energy. Everyone around me – my friends, family, and colleagues –inspires me in so many ways.
What did you originally want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a doctor, specifically a neurosurgeon. That idea always came from my love for neuroscience and the zeal to learn more about people and their behavior. So, I would say I am close to where I wanted to be (minus the MD!).
What advice would you give your younger self or someone considering a similar path?
Accept that things don't always go according to plan, and that is okay. As long as you are passionate about what you want to do, things have a way of working out.
Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you.
I recently got into the Reflective and Effective teaching program at Northwestern which is giving me the opportunity to explore my passion for teaching. And, I plan to teach in the School of Professional studies this winter that I am super excited about!
Publish Date: November 28, 2023
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