Aakanksha Singhvi, PhD

faculty member

Aakanksha Singhvi, PhD

Assistant Professor
Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutch

Mail Stop: A3-020

Dr. Aakanksha Singhvi studies glial cells, which are critical to the correct functioning of our nervous system. Every time a neuron connects to another neuron, a glial cell is there to make sure that signals transmit properly between them. Glia themselves also communicate with neurons and influence their shape and activity. Disruptions in communication between neurons and glia underpin many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and autism. Dr. Singhvi seeks to understand the molecules involved in glia-neuron communication, and how glia influence neuron shape and function, and, ultimately, animal behavior.

Education

Postdoctoral, Glia-neuron interactions, The Rockefeller University

Developmental Neurobiology, University of California, Berkeley

MSc Fellow, National Center for Biological Sciences, India

Biochemistry, St. Xavier’s College, Gujarat University, India

Research Interests

Molecular mechanisms of glia-neuron interactions in the nervous system.

Current Projects

How glia and neurons communicate with each other to regulate sensory perception, neuronal physiology, neural circuit activity, memory formation and animal behavior

To map glia-neuron interactions at a molecular and mechanistic level, in health and disease

"New data is the best thrill ever! I will drop everything for that. And if it’s not something we expected, that’s even more exciting!"

— Dr. Aakanksha Singhvi

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For the Media

The Media Relations team at Fred Hutch is available to assist members of the news media who would like to arrange interviews with faculty.

Email media@fredhutch.org or call 206.667.2210