Divya Ganugapati is a senior majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Chemistry. She first began research in the spring of freshman year as a research assistant in the Language and Brain Laboratory run by mentor and principal investigator, Dr. Emily Myers in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department. This lab introduced Divya to neuroscience research utilizing the fMRI to analyze cognitive anatomical variances when exposed to non-native speech sounds.
As a part of the 7th cohort, Divya and a group of three other students, received the IDEA Grant to create, design, and produce STEMTalk Magazine, a media outlet reporting university-wide and national developments, research, news, and opinions regarding a wide range of STEM topics. The magazine, which launched in February 2017, serves as a unification of expertise in both STEM and fine arts fields, illustrating the cohesion of various UConn’s schools/colleges.
Currently, Divya is working on her own research project in conjunction with Dr. Rachel M. Theodore, from the Spoken Language and Processing Laboratory in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department. Her mentorship with Dr. Theodore began in the Summer 2016 when Divya participated in the Research Intensive Summer Experience (RISE) Program, and together, the team received the SHARE Award in Spring 2017 to complete a study on voice recognition among English monolinguals.
Divya is excited to continue working on her research and building relations with peers and faculty. Outside of research, Divya is a tour guide at the Lodewick Visitors Center and serves as the Site Manager for Community Outreach's English as a Second Language (ESL) program. She is also working towards applying to medical school. Don’t hesitate to ask her any questions!