Congratulations to Himani Prajapati for receiving the UBC Public Scholars Award

Read more about Himani’s research interests and award:

1. Tell us a little bit about 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.

2. What award did you win, and how will this 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.

3. 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.