Pavana, a postdoc in Whitehead Institute Member Olivia Corradin’s lab, is studying the neurobiology of opioid use disorder. “Lots of studies indicate that genomic changes are associated with opioid use disorder. But nobody yet knows how the affected genes contribute to opioid use disorder and what the cellular mechanisms are involved,” she says. Growing up in Bangalore, India, Rotti studied the Indian classical dance form called Bharatanatyam for many years and it’s still a hobby. “In particular, I enjoy the combination of rhythmic movement and facial expressions that portray certain emotions without talking. But, these days, dance — and reading and hiking — all take a back seat to being a mother to a year-old daughter.”