Neha Reddy, G4

Why did you choose to attend Northwestern MSTP?

I first became interested in Northwestern because of the diversity of research opportunities in the fields of neural engineering and rehabilitation, which I was interested in studying for my PhD. After visiting Northwestern, I felt so welcomed by the MSTP students and staff and knew this was the supportive community I was looking for. I also fell in love with the city of Chicago and could see myself exploring its many neighborhoods in the years to come.

Tell us what you’ve enjoyed most about your current phase in the program.

I am currently pursuing my PhD in Biomedical Engineering in the labs of Molly Bright, DPhil, and Julius Dewald, PT, PhD, where I use functional MRI to study motor impairment of the hand in chronic stroke. My PhD has been a time for scientific, professional and personal growth. Not only have I been learning how to think critically about scientific questions and develop technical skills in my field, but I have had the time and flexibility to pursue other learning opportunities. For example, I have participated in offerings from the Center for Leadership, learned how to be a better writer and communicator, developed my ability to effectively visualize data, and become a part of international communities in my research field.

Tell us a bit about your interests and hobbies outside the classroom.

I love playing the piano in chamber music groups and have had the opportunity to continue doing so through the Northwestern Medical Orchestra. You can often find me exploring the seemingly unlimited restaurants Chicago has to offer or trying out a new recipe. Lately, I have also been on a mission to find my favorite coffee shop in the city. Otherwise, I like to spend my weekends with a new book or catching up on the latest season of a TV show.