Image 1: Risha (with lab coat) in front of the lab she works at. Photo by Fareed Salmon.
Risha Chakraborty (YC ’25) describes herself as “a firm proponent of the idea that there’s a lot we can do in just these four years.” Through her studies as a Neuroscience and Chemistry double major, research in the Chandra Lab, volunteer work, and involvement in Yale’s musical and cultural communities, Chakraborty proves this point true. Growing up in California, Chakraborty was surrounded by a community that supported and shared many of her family’s values, including education, family, and community service—things that she has continued to hold in high regard throughout her time in college. It was also within the context of her community at home, particularly in San Ramon, where she attended middle and high school, that Chakraborty began to develop her academic interests. She recognized early on that she was deeply interested in neuroscience. By reading extensively about neurobiology and science more broadly, Chakraborty prepared herself to hit the ground running in college, where she is working towards her goal of becoming a neuroscientist and neurosurgeon.
In addition to her pre-medical coursework, Chakraborty joined Sreeganga Chandra’s neurology lab in October of her first year at Yale. Here, she quickly realized her passion for conducting bench research and studying the basic science of synaptic biology. She currently works with mentor Vidyadhara D J on research investigating the causes of cognitive problems that are sometimes associated with Parkinson’s Disease. Using techniques like western blotting, single-cell RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry, she hopes to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the relationship between cognitive decline and mutations of the GBA gene. Chakraborty has been an invaluable member of her research team; in fact, her excellent work earned her the Y-Work Award for Outstanding Student Employees last year. In the near future, the Chandra lab plans to publish a paper citing Chakraborty as second author, and for her senior thesis, Chakraborty will continue her research by conducting gene knockdown studies in cell models.
Though Chakraborty’s research largely investigates RNA and proteins in the brain with mice as her model organism, she is careful not to lose sight of the patients who will ultimately benefit from her work. As an aspiring healthcare provider, she is intentional about engaging with the New Haven community around her. By volunteering with the Hypertension Awareness and Prevention Program at Yale (HAPPY), shadowing at Yale New Haven Health, and working with the Yale School of Medicine’s Community Health Care Van, Chakraborty has been able to build connections with patient populations with whom she may interact with in future clinical work. “These three experiences have highlighted that I’m also really interested in person-centered care and bridging the gap between my basic chemistry [and] neuroscience interests with treatments that are actually applicable to people that I see on the daily,” Chakraborty said.
Beyond her science and healthcare-focused extracurricular pursuits, Chakraborty is also involved in Yale’s vibrant musical and cultural communities. She currently plays trumpet in the Yale Precision Marching Band and leads La Orquesta Tertulia, Yale’s premier salsa and merengue band. Throughout the past year, Chakraborty also served as a Peer Liaison with the Asian American Cultural Center. This role allowed Chakraborty to create the sort of environment she is thankful to have had while growing up in California, where her family could celebrate their Bengali-American identity. Chakraborty derives immense gratification from her role as a Peer Liaison, where she mentors first-years and helps them feel at home during their transitions to college life. “It has been tremendously rewarding to be involved in spaces where people share culture and heritage […] and to see how happy they are to do it,” Chakraborty said.
Whether as a scientist, volunteer, musician, or mentor, Chakraborty has proven herself to be a leader on campus. Through her humble work ethic and genuine passion for all that she does, Chakraborty exemplifies what it means to make the most of your time at Yale.