About Me
I am a neuroscientist focused on understanding how the brain develops and functions across both typical and atypical populations. My work brings together MRI imaging and clinical assessments to uncover meaningful patterns in brain development and behavior. I am equally passionate about teaching and believe in making complex neuroscience accessible and engaging.
Let’s connect to discuss research, ideas, or potential collaborations.
Education
2021–2026
Ph.D. in Neuroscience University of California, Los Angeles
2016–2018
Masters in Lifesciences University of Mumbai, India
2013–2016
Bachelors in Zoology University of Mumbai, India
Positions & Appointments
Present
Freelance mentor Another Degree
2021–2026
Graduate Research Student Dept. of Psychiatric & Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA
2024–25
Long-term Trainee, UC-LEND University of California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
2022-2025
Teaching Fellow Dept. of Molecular, Cellular & Development, Dept. of Lifesciences, Dept. of Neuroscience, Dept. of CEILS, UCLA
2017–2019
Research Project Associate National Brain Research Centre, India
2017
Research Associate Intern The Foundation of Medical Research, India
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Sigar, P., Kathrein, N., Gragas, E., Kupis, L., Uddin, L. Q., & Nomi, J. S. (2025). Age-related changes in brain signal variability in autism spectrum disorder. Molecular Autism, 16(1), 8. doi:10.1186/s13229-024-00631-3
Sigar, P., Uddin, L. Q., & Roy, D. (2023). Altered global modular organization of intrinsic functional connectivity in autism arises from atypical node-level processing. Autism Research, 16(1), 66–83. doi:10.1002/aur.2840
Wang HR, Liu Z-Q, Pozzi E, Hussain A, Sigar P, et al. (2026). Childhood Maltreatment and Deviations from Normative Brain Structure: A Mega-Analysis of 3,711 Individuals from the ENIGMA MDD and ENIGMA PTSD Working Groups. Biological Psychiatry. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2026.02.016
Sigar, P., Nomi, J. S., Goodman, Z., & Uddin, L. Q. Age-related brain signal variability associated with anxiety symptoms. Manuscript in preparation. In prep
Sigar, P., Yue, H., & Wu, H. (2025). Uncovering bias: The impact of healthcare providers’ gendered and demographic assumptions on autism diagnoses and mental health in women. Manuscript in preparation. In prep
Hotez, E., Weir, E., Brandsen, S., …, Sigar, P., et al. (2025). A pilot health survey of autistic emerging adults: Exploring gender differences in physical and mental health. Autism in Adulthood. Submitted
Hotez E, Kuo AA, Abraham M, …, Sigar P, et al. (2026). High-Quality Research Requires Community Engagement: Insights from an Interactive Conference Workshop. Developmental Disabilities Network Journal. Submitted
Selected Conference Presentations
Sigar, P., et al. (June 2025). Brain signal variability and gene expression profiles underlying anxiety. 31st Annual Meeting, Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM), Brisbane, Australia. Poster.
Sigar, P., et al. (November 2025). Brain signal variability and gene expression profiles underlying anxiety. Society for Neuroscience (SfN), San Diego, USA. Poster.
Sigar, P. & Saravanapandian, V. (November 2025). Impact of Brain Awareness Week on neuroscience knowledge among K–12 students. Society for Neuroscience (SfN), San Diego, USA. Poster.
Sigar, P., et al. (September 2024). BOLD signal variability and brain dynamics associated with anxiety symptoms. Flux Congress, Baltimore, USA. Poster.
Sigar, P., et al. (June 2023). Atypical global organization arising from local node properties in children with Autism. INSAR Conference, Stockholm, Sweden. Oral.
Sigar, P., et al. (June 2022). Altered developmental trajectories of brain signal variability in Autism. 28th Annual Meeting, OHBM, USA. Poster.
Sigar, P., et al. (January 2021). Atypical global organization in children with Autism. ACCS7 Annual Conference of Cognitive Science, India. Oral.
Skills
Research & Methods
Neuropsychological, behavioral & survey data; resting-state fMRI; functional connectivity; graph/network analyses; genetic analyses; brain signal variability.
Tools & Software
Python, R, Matlab, PsychoPy, E-Prime, Qualtrics; SPM, FSL, CONN; SPSS, JASP; Matplotlib, ggplot.
Grant & Scientific Writing
Grant applications, annual reports, journal articles, conference posters, manuscript preparation.
Science Communication
Newsletter editing (Canva, Adobe), video editing, graphic design, invited presentations.
Teaching
Undergraduate and graduate instruction; course design; mentorship.
Languages
English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati.
Ad Hoc Reviewer Service
Human Brain Mapping · Molecular Psychiatry · Brain Imaging and Behavior · Frontier
Teaching Artifacts
Brain Art Collection
References
Lucina Uddin, Ph.D. Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences & Psychology
Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience Analysis Core
UCLA lucina@ucla.edu
Carrie E. Bearden, Ph.D. Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences & Psychology
Director, Center for Assessment & Prevention of Prodromal States (CAPPS) UCLA cbearden@mednet.ucla.edu
Vidya Saravanapandian, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Scholar & Director, Neuroscience Community Engagement & Public Education
UCLA
Tara Peris, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
Program Director, ABC Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program
UCLA TPeris@mednet.ucla.edu
