UConn Student Explores Neuroscience with Machine Learning

Meet Varun Chamarty, a bright pre-med student at UConn who’s diving deep into the world of neuroscience this summer. Varun, who is studying biomedical engineering, believes that exploring new ideas is the best way to make discoveries in science.

Varun got his first taste of research back in high school through a program that paired him with graduate students. While he found biotechnology intriguing, his true passion emerged in the field of neuroscience, which he describes as vastly different from other areas of anatomy.

He found his place at UConn’s Spellman Lab, where researchers focus on understanding how our brains manage functions like memory and attention. This summer, Varun is particularly interested in how attention shifts when we multitask, which is incredibly relevant for understanding conditions like ADHD.

In the lab, mice perform tasks that require them to switch their focus based on different signals, such as smells or touches. Varun’s role involves introducing machine learning into these experiments, helping to analyze how the mice’s brain activity connects with their physical responses.

Two cameras record the mice as they complete tasks, capturing moments that could reveal important patterns. Varun is optimistic that machine learning could help unearth discoveries that wouldn’t be visible through traditional methods.

Despite being new to the world of neuroscience and machine learning, Varun feels that his engineering background equips him with the problem-solving skills needed for this kind of work. He emphasizes that being afraid of making mistakes can hold people back, but he’s learning to embrace the unknown.

As he wrangles through challenges in the lab, he finds excitement in daily research efforts, even if the results are unpredictable. He’s also considering his future directions, imagining possibilities in both medicine and engineering.