Parnika Shankar

Parnika Shankar is an undergraduate student at Rice University majoring in Psychology. Her academic interests include youth mental health, chronic illness, and healthcare equity, with a focus on integrating nutrition, empathy, and the gut–brain connection into clinical care. At the Weisz Lab at Harvard University, she contributes to Project SMILE, a meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of school-based interventions for youth with elevated mental health symptoms.

She also serves as an ambassador for Beyond Celiac and Project Sunshine, supporting pediatric patients through advocacy and community-based initiatives. She has performed with national and international choirs in London and continues through her involvement in the Rice Chorale. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to concerts, practicing Pilates, and spending time with her family.