JAYASHRI VISWANATHAN, 3rd-year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, planning to double-minor in Neuroscience & Economics

Email: jviswanathan@ucdavis.edu 

Jayashri’s publication: Identification of Psychoplastogenic N,N-Dimethylaminoisotryptamine (isoDMT) Analogues through Structure–Activity Relationship Studies

Faculty mentor: Dr. David E. Olson

Jayashri is a third-year biochemistry and molecular biology major in Dr. David Olson’s lab, where she conducts research on the molecular and systemic basis of hallucinations caused by psychedelic compounds. She has also conducted research on the development of safer, more effective neurotherapeutic drugs, inspired by classic psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms). 

She feels honored to have been able to publish her experimental data in a peer-reviewed journal, but she found the process of doing experiments, pitching ideas, and working with her colleagues in the Olson Lab to be far more gratifying. “Although publishing is a great addition to your resume, the most important part of the undergraduate research experience is to learn as much as you can,” she says. She encourages others to be persistent and remain optimistic, even when experiments fail. 

Jayashri plans to pursue a PhD in neuroscience and develop biochemical tools to probe the circuitry of the mammalian brain. Her ultimate goal, however, is to become a professor at a top-tier research institution like UC Davis, where she hopes to apply an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the biochemical processes behind decision-making and learning. 

What is your major/minor and year? 

My major is Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am planning on double minoring in Neuroscience and Economics. I am a third year student.

Tell me about your research, using terms that a non-scientist would understand.

My past research projects focused on the development of safer, more efficacious neurotherapeutic drugs that are inspired by classic psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin. In my ongoing research project, I aim to understand the molecular and systemic basis of hallucinations caused by psychedelic compounds. 

Tell me about your future plans. 

I will pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience --  I'd like to develop biochemical tools that can probe the circuitry of the mammalian brain. After my graduate studies, I aim to secure a postdoctoral position in a behavioral neuroscience laboratory. Ultimately, I want to be a professor at a top-tier research institution like UC Davis. As a professor, I hope to apply an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the biochemical processes that give rise to decision making and learning. 

What was it like to publish?

My involvement with this particular publication was quite brief. I executed a series of experiments and analyzed the data over the course of a few weeks. Having my experimental data appear in a peer-reviewed journal is definitely a satisfying feeling. But the process of doing experiments, pitching ideas, and working with my colleagues in the Olson Lab is far more gratifying.  

What advice do you have for other students who want to publish their work? 

Be persistent and remain optimistic, even when your experiments fail and it seems as if there are no remaining avenues in your research project. If you have a noteworthy finding, discuss your results with your colleagues so you can proceed with a follow-up study. Although publishing is a great addition to your resume, the most important part of the undergraduate research experience is to learn as much as you can. Have fun with research, and always ask questions in your classes and research endeavors.