ABOUT ME // OVERALL GOALS
Welcome to my website! My name is Amritha Harikumar.
I am a PhD student in the Imaging Genetics and Informatics Laboratory (Clinical Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience track) at Georgia State University, and I recently joined in Fall 2021. I hope to utilize my interdisciplinary training to understand aberrant neural networks in schizophrenia and mood disorders using a blended neuroscience and data driven approach.
Welcome to my website! My name is Amritha Harikumar.
I am a PhD student in the Imaging Genetics and Informatics Laboratory (Clinical Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience track) at Georgia State University, and I recently joined in Fall 2021. I hope to utilize my interdisciplinary training to understand aberrant neural networks in schizophrenia and mood disorders using a blended neuroscience and data driven approach.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- Clinical Neuropsychology // Cognitive Neuroscience
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
- Leveraging data science (R // Python // MATLAB) and applying it to neuroscience research
- Default Mode Network (DMN) and other aberrant neural networks in mood disorders
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
EDUCATION
- August 2021-Present, PhD, Clinical Psychology | Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Concentration (NCN)
- Georgia State University | TReNDS Center, (Atlanta, GA, USA)
- May 2018, Master of Arts, Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Track
- San Diego State University, (San Diego, CA, USA)
- May 2015, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; Minor: Biology
- The University of Tulsa, (Tulsa, OK, USA)
RESEARCH // WORK EXPERIENCE
- August 2020 - July 2021, Laboratory Manager and Coordinator, Leal Neuroscience of Memory and Aging Lab
- Rice University, (Houston, TX, USA)
- June 2018 - June 2020, Clinical Research Coordinator II, Emotion and Social Neuroscience (ESN) Lab
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging || Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), (Boston, MA, USA)
- June 2014 - May 2015, Undergraduate Research Intern, Laureate Institute for Brain Research
- Savitz ANTIGEN Lab, (Tulsa, OK, USA)
INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES // INTERNATIONAL GOALS
When I have some free time to spare, I love to be active and enjoy running, yoga, and badminton! I also spend time with family and friends, and love to travel to different parts of the world. Growing up as an Indian-American raised in various states from Utah, California, and Oklahoma, I've also had a unique cultural experience visiting India during my summer holidays. It has enabled me to keep in touch with my Indian heritage, which I am incredibly proud of, as well as gain perspectives on different cultures.
Growing up in the United States in a traditional first generation immigrant Indian family, I became fluent in my mother tongue, Malayalam, and spend months in India with family, as well as immersing myself in our culture. This dual perspective has enabled a more international focus both academically and socially, and I love to explore different cultures- whether it be learning a new language, tasting different types of ethnic foods, or simply attending international events!
My dual cultural background directly influences my clinical and research interests. Post PhD and after getting established, I would like to partner with organizations in India and the US to destigmatize mental health, educate individuals on neuropsychology / neuroscience, and work with individuals in both communities to improve mental health initiatives.
When I have some free time to spare, I love to be active and enjoy running, yoga, and badminton! I also spend time with family and friends, and love to travel to different parts of the world. Growing up as an Indian-American raised in various states from Utah, California, and Oklahoma, I've also had a unique cultural experience visiting India during my summer holidays. It has enabled me to keep in touch with my Indian heritage, which I am incredibly proud of, as well as gain perspectives on different cultures.
Growing up in the United States in a traditional first generation immigrant Indian family, I became fluent in my mother tongue, Malayalam, and spend months in India with family, as well as immersing myself in our culture. This dual perspective has enabled a more international focus both academically and socially, and I love to explore different cultures- whether it be learning a new language, tasting different types of ethnic foods, or simply attending international events!
My dual cultural background directly influences my clinical and research interests. Post PhD and after getting established, I would like to partner with organizations in India and the US to destigmatize mental health, educate individuals on neuropsychology / neuroscience, and work with individuals in both communities to improve mental health initiatives.
SERVICE // SCIENTIFIC MENTORSHIP
I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists, and take it as my mission to serve as a guide to young scientists, and my fellow peers from my experiences. At Mass General, I mentored our junior coordinators and interns from UMass and Boston University. Recently, I have signed up to be a STEM Pen Pal through the Letters to a Pre-Scientist Program for the Fall 2020 cycle. This program will match me with a young future scientist who would like to know more about science coming from an underrepresented minority. I also have mentored undergraduate research students and have recently volunteered to serve as a committee member for the newly formed Mass General Hospital Post-Baccalaureate Association (PBA). This is an organization that helps post-bacc scholars find jobs, network, and apply to PhD programs successfully.
I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists, and take it as my mission to serve as a guide to young scientists, and my fellow peers from my experiences. At Mass General, I mentored our junior coordinators and interns from UMass and Boston University. Recently, I have signed up to be a STEM Pen Pal through the Letters to a Pre-Scientist Program for the Fall 2020 cycle. This program will match me with a young future scientist who would like to know more about science coming from an underrepresented minority. I also have mentored undergraduate research students and have recently volunteered to serve as a committee member for the newly formed Mass General Hospital Post-Baccalaureate Association (PBA). This is an organization that helps post-bacc scholars find jobs, network, and apply to PhD programs successfully.