This week’s student spotlight featured Sanjit Pamidi, a junior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Health. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Pamidi spent his freshman year at the University of Texas at Dallas before transferring to Duke University for his sophomore year. Pamidi was drawn to Duke’s vibrant academic community and its opportunities for rigorous intellectual growth. He sought an environment where he could be surrounded by people who would challenge him and vice versa, pushing each other to excel, which was primarily why Pamidi chose Duke.
Pamidi shared that he chose to major in neuroscience because the brain and nervous system are still poorly understood, offering ample opportunities for new discoveries. He is driven by a belief in neuroscience’s potential to unlock fundamental truths about human behavior and cognition. “With every class I take, I understand more about the physiological underpinnings of who we are and why we do things, and it’s exciting to be at the forefront of what I consider to be the last frontier of biology and maybe even all sciences,” Pamidi said.
Currently, Pamidi is part of Duke's Translational Pain Research Laboratory, under the mentorship of Dr. Andrea Nackley. One of the Nackley lab’s focuses is on understanding the role of neuroinflammation, particularly microglial dysfunction, in the central maintenance of chronic primary pain conditions. Using advanced imaging techniques, Pamidi is investigating microglial activation in a novel mouse model of chronic pain, exploring various pain-processing regions in the brain and the spinal cord and looking for evidence of neuroinflammation. Through the Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP), Pamidi was able to use his summer to gain further experience and develop a new project in his research lab, all aimed to better prepare him for his senior thesis.
Pamidi first learned about SNP through the internet, which is usually the first stop for many students looking to discover new opportunities. Initially hesitant to apply because he lacked data or a near-finished product, Pamidi ultimately decided to pursue SNP after discussing it with Dr. Newpher - SNP director and his advisor. Pamidi realized that the only real expectation of SNP was to have a genuine desire to further his research project and gain experience. Since then, SNP has served as a launchpad for him to develop a new research project, providing a solid foundation for his research over the next two years and towards Graduation with Distinction.
Beyond research, community and building connections are important to Pamidi. When not focused on academics, he is deeply involved in campus and community activities. He serves as a Resident Assistant on East Campus, providing support and guidance to fellow students. His commitment to healthcare extends to volunteering with Duke HomeCare and Hospice, offering companionship and support to terminally ill patients, and participating in Duke Remote Area Medical trips to underserved communities. He is also an avid member of Duke NeuroCare, a student organization dedicated to raising awareness about neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Looking ahead, Sanjit envisions a career in medicine combining his expertise in neuroscience with a passion for global health equity. His minor in Global Health reflects his ambition to tackle healthcare disparities on a global scale. Post-medical school and residency, Sanjit aims to work on the frontlines with organizations like Doctors Without Borders, advocating for healthcare access and equity in underserved communities worldwide.
Department of Psychology & Neuroscience
