Sujatha joined the Allen Institute in 2022 to develop molecular genetic tools that will provide unique access to cell types in the mouse brain. The ability to target and manipulate specific neuronal populations will make it possible to systematically dissect the circuits involved in behavior and thus allow us to study complex behaviors in a cell type specific manner.

Prior to joining the Allen Institute, as a senior scientist in the laboratory of Misha Ahrens at the HHMI Janelia Research Campus, she developed molecular, anatomical, and genetic resources for whole-brain imaging and optogenetics to study behavioral flexibility using the larval zebrafish as a model organism.

Sujatha holds a PhD in Neurobiology from Bryn Mawr College, where she studied synaptic vesicle protein synthesis and transport during synapse formation. She then went on to conduct post-doctoral work at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies followed by a brief stint at the Scripps Research Institute.