Dr. Priyanka

Dr. Priyanka is a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a mentor focused on helping students present themselves as future leaders in their fields. She brings deep experience from both research and teaching environments, with a track record of supporting students through academic writing, research planning, and professional development.

Dr. Priyanka’s research integrates neuroimaging, brain network modeling, and genetics in studies of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. She has built reproducible analysis pipelines, mentored undergraduate researchers on neuroimaging projects, and contributed to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. This research background helps her guide applicants in articulating clear research interests, defining program fit, and translating technical experiences into compelling, accessible application narratives.

As a Teaching Fellow, Teaching Assistant, and Associate Instructor with UCLA’s Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences, Dr. Priyanka has taught 1,000+ students across neuroscience, psychology, and life sciences courses. She is known for student-centered instruction, practical feedback, and supportive mentorship, including helping students build confidence with research papers, academic communication, and long-term planning.

Dr. Priyanka is especially attentive to the “hidden curriculum” of graduate school: identifying mentors, writing effective outreach emails, securing strong letters of recommendation, preparing for interviews, and navigating academic culture with clarity and confidence. As an international student and immigrant in the U.S., she also understands the additional layers that international applicants and trainees often face, including cross-cultural transitions, differences in academic norms, and planning for common international-student considerations throughout the graduate journey. Her mentoring style is structured, personalized, and grounded in helping students make strategic choices that align with their goals and values.