Hi, I am Kritika Mehta, a PhD student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I work in the lab of Dr. Kai Zhang where I employ cellular and biochemical tools to understand the biogenesis of Activity regulated cytoskeleton protein’s (Arc) capsids. Microscopy is specifically very intriguing and driving for me. Prior to my PhD, I worked with Dr. Vaishnavi Ananthanarayan at the Indian Institute of Science, India after finishing my Masters from the India Institute of Technology-Bombay, India.

I am particularly fascinated about the inner working of our neuronal system. How brain channels energy to fuel its various functions and employs strategies to optimize its functioning for higher cognitive benefit is one of the most interesting questions in biology.

Apart from research, I am passionate about reading and communicating science. I believe science communication is very crucial for its further application and development.