Sangeeta Chawla, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology
Sangeeta is interested in the understanding the cellular basis of behaviour and studies how the different cell types in the brain interact.
Sangeeta joined the University of York in 2010 after completing her PhD and a David Phillips Fellowship at Cambridge.
email: sangeeta.chawla@york.ac.uk
Our 60-second interview with Sangeeta:
Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?
I study the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin circadian clocks and sleep. Dysfunction in the underlying neuronal circuits has adverse consequences for both physical health and mental well-being.
What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?
I find it rewarding to piece together different ideas, strands of investigations and findings into conceptual frameworks that advance our biological understanding of complex behaviours. I am inspired by the pervasiveness of biological rhythms.
What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?
Keeping up with the vast amount of scientific data and scientific studies related to my work.
What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?
I hope the work will help everyone understand the importance of tuning their lifestyle to their internal body clock as this can have a huge impact on physical and mental health.
Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?
I maintain a regular routine in daily activities, spend some time outdoors every day, cherish my friends and family and stroke my staffie.