I’m a medical student at UC San Diego bridging my third and fourth years as a Medical Research Scholar at the National Institutes of Health. I work in the Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit (NNU) , where I am currently analyzing fMRI data to investigate dysfunctional brain networks in autism, with mentorship from Sarah H. Lisanby and Lindsay Oberman. I aim to use this knowledge to identify potential targets for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). I have an early interest in the intersection of clinical research and child psychiatry, with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of mental illness.

Outside of research, I am also the co-founder of Unedited Voices of Medicine (UVM), a student-run organization that aims to de-stigmatize mental illness in medicine through honest conversation. As part of my work with UVM, I started a podcast to host open dialogues on adversity, grief, and failure with healthcare trainees and professionals. I’m passionate about the role of digital media and storytelling in medicine, and you can find a compilation of my work on my Media page.

I graduated from USC with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism. After graduating, I was selected as a Global Health Corps fellow; through my fellowship, I worked in Kampala, Uganda as a Monitoring and Evaluation Associate for LifeNet International. My coursework in engineering has taught me to approach medicine with a problem-solving mindset and an appreciation for continuous improvement.

Currently, I’m completing my 200 hour yoga teacher training certificate through Yoga District in Washington DC.

Contact: sahitmenon@ucsd.edu

Twitter: @sahitmenon

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahitmenon/