Sneha Dhanavanthri Muralidhara
As a PhD researcher, I am dedicated to investigating and promoting healthy aging in women. I am interested in understanding lifestyle factors, emotions, and healthy aging during midlife and beyond. My work operates at the intersection of midlife transition, gerontology, and cognitive health, examining how emotional dynamics interact with cognitive trajectories as women age. Rather than evaluating healthy aging solely at the individual or biological level, I apply a bioecological framework to consider broader social, cultural, and environmental contexts that impact individual health. By viewing midlife as a pivotal window for healthy aging, I aim to advance holistic, multi-level research that supports women’s health and quality of life.
My current research projects examine the complex interplay among psychological, neurobiological, and environmental factors that affect women’s health during the menopausal transition. Specifically, my work explores how affective factors such as positive affect and depression influence cognitive function, and how environmental exposures also impact overall health and well-being. Using neuroimaging and behavioral measures, I also examine neural markers that predict positive affect and evaluate the role of lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, in mitigating cognitive and emotional shifts.