Hi! My name is Khushi Rai, and I am a rising senior majoring in Neuroscience and Philosophy. Obtaining an interdisciplinary education was one of the main goals I had while entering college. My majors have complimented each other as I learn the practical, scientific aspects of neuroscience while simultaneously questioning the ethical aspects of modern interventions and applications in the field. My favorite course in college has been Minds and Machines (PHIL 0440) with Kate Stanton which explored whether the mind could be thought of as a machine. Fun Fact: this course was the reason I chose both of my majors.

Outside of college, I love to read books. I have recently been obsessed with Joan Didion’s writing and I am slowly but surely working my way through reading each piece. I am also fond of skiing and hiking. Recently, my family and I visited Iceland and hiked up a glacier! I currently work for The Pitt News and UPMC Shadyside, and I volunteer for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) and Prevention Point Pittsburgh. I recently lobbied in Congress as a part of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) for the implementation of harm reduction policies on college campuses and the rescheduling of certain psychedelic drugs for the expansion of research.

After I graduate from college, I hope to attend medical school. I am also interested in continuing research as a physician and volunteering with Prevention Point. I have numerous research interests which include psychosis in Alzheimer’s Disease, treatment of intracranial tumors, and addiction. I currently conduct research in Alzheimer’s Disease psychosis through the Sweet Lab and radiation treatments of intracranial tumors at UPMC Neurosurgery.

I believe participating in the Health Science Research Fellowship will allow me to better communicate my research across multiple disciplines. I want to ensure that I am able to explain my research and scientific findings to any individual to ensure that I am an apt communicator as a physician. It is no secret that scientists have a hard time breaking down their research into understandable terms! The fellowship allowed me to work on my research full-time so I can learn more research techniques and interact with other research-focused peers. I hope to finish my project this summer and eventually participate in research conferences. I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity and I am looking forward to making progress on my project!