Join us in congratulating RHSC PhD Candidate Himani Prajapati on receiving a Public Scholars Initiative Award!
The Public Scholars Initiative Award is part of the UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) which intends to build connections, community, and capacity for doctoral students who are interested in explicitly linking their doctoral work to an arena of public benefit and integrating broader and more career-relevant forms of scholarship into their doctoral education process. Each year funding is available for up to approximately 30 new students from all faculties at UBC and UBCO. Scholars selected for the cohort will be eligible for a renewal funding a second year. The PSI also introduced a Health Equity Stream for 2023/24, open for 6-8 students in health-oriented and equity-focused research.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your lab. What type of research are you conducting?
I am a Ph.D. candidate at MATTERS lab, supervised by Dr. Bill Miller. My doctoral research is centered on advancing the understanding and application of yoga for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Specifically, we are developing a yoga intervention guided by those with lived experiences, aiming to provide evidence-based recommendations for yoga programs. Given my passion for neurorehabilitation and interest in exploring the neural regulation of yoga, I strongly believe that yoga has the potential to enhance well-being after SCI.
How does winning the PSI Award help your research?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have been honoured with the Public Scholar Initiative Award. This prestigious recognition not only grants me access to an interdisciplinary platform where I can learn from fellow graduate students and further develop my research skills but also provides me with an excellent opportunity to share our research findings with the SCI community.
And what do you like to do outside of academia?
During my free time, I immerse myself in reading books on neuroplasticity and spirituality. This practice allows me to self-reflect on my daily experiences and actively work towards nurturing and rewiring my neurons. Additionally, I have a deep love for music and dance, constantly exploring various dance forms and taking long walks while enjoying my favourite playlist.