Meet Nikita Mehta, a 25-year-old from Singapore who dreams of becoming a surgeon. Fresh off the accomplishment of her PhD in Neurobiology at the University of Chicago, where her research focused on Alzheimer’s disease, she now plans to pursue medical school and specialize in neurodegenerative diseases that affect under-served populations. Winner in 2022 of a Dompé Foundation scholarship in memory of Rita Levi Montalcini, she’s the first scholar in the US to join the foundation’s Alumni Network. Join us as we dive into a conversation with Nikita, where she shares the motivations behind her study of the brain, her role model, and her passions outside academia.

What led you to pursue a PhD in Neurobiology?

My favorite class in college was called "Human Being and Citizen". This unexpected foray into the Humanities, which led me to explore authors like Plato, Dante and Kafka, broadened my horizons, teaching me to view science not just as a collection of data and theories, but as a way to further understand and improve the human condition. It’s this humanistic sensitivity – clearly along with the desire to delve into neurodegenerative diseases – that pushed me to embark on a PhD in Neurobiology.

In 2022 you won a Dompé Foundation scholarship in memory of Rita Levi Montalcini. What did this achievement mean to you?

Nobel Prize Winner Rita Levi Montalcini has been a pioneer in the field of developmental neurobiology. I remember reading some Dr. Montalcini's and Dr. Hamburger's seminal papers years on removal and transplantation of limbs in the chick embryo and being so impressed by their revolutionary methods. She is one of my biggest scientific inspirations, so being awarded with a scholarship in her memory has been a huge honor for me!

How did you react when you learned you had won this opportunity?

I did not expect to win the Dompé Foundation scholarship because there are so many talented individuals who applied, so it was such a surprise and shock to me. I'm just so incredibly grateful to the Foundation for offering a funding opportunity without citizenship restrictions, and for its commitment to supporting scientific research. Sometimes, the PhD programs and research can feel isolating, and it means so much to know that other people care about the work that we're doing and want to do everything in their power to support it. Receiving this scholarship has really changed my PhD experience, and helped me find renewed enthusiasm for my work.

What’s your career goal?

I believe that neurodegenerative disease research - which has been my PhD focus - will continue to be a big part of my career. Besides becoming a surgeon, my career goal is to work one day with the National Institute for Neurological Disorders (NINDS) and translate my research findings into large scale clinical projects.

Tell me about a personal achievement that makes you proud

Initially motivated by the discovery that there are significant discrepancies in paid teaching assistantships amongst international students across divisions, in 2020, during my second year of graduate school, I co-founded the International Graduate Student Advisory Board (IGSAB) to foster a sense of community and belonging at the University of Chicago among international students. As the Chair of IGSAB, I recruited and managed a team of students who served on the board and coordinated the implementation of three projects focused respectively on career development, mentorship, and data acquisition. This project gave me substantial leadership, finance management, and event planning experience. I'm very proud of the work we've done, and it's been wonderful to see other students continue the projects I started.

Tell us something that is not on your resume

I have a variety of hobbies and interests that bring immense joy and fulfillment to my life. Running holds a special place among them, as I've been an enthusiastic runner since high school. Beyond the physical benefits, running helps me shed layers of daily stress and reinforce the power of discipline in achieving my goals.   

I also actively volunteer with community organizations such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Hyde-Park Kenwood Food Depository, and Community Health Clinic. Engaging with my community in these meaningful ways allows me to establish deep connections beyond my immediate social circle, and this enriches me greatly.

Who is your role model?

One of my role models is Taylor Swift. Not only has she been a huge part of my life since I was thirteen when I listened to her album, Fearless, for the first time, but I have always admired her work ethic and her passion for creating music. Her love for her craft is the reason she has been able to constantly produce art and challenge herself to explore different genres. I hope to have a similar level of passion for the work that I do one day.