#SoCaltech: Jessleen Kanwal
“Science classes didn’t always come easy to me—in high school, I dropped AP biology part way into the school year and took an art class instead. Now, as a neurobiologist fascinated by the inner workings of bugs, brains, and behaviors, I’ve found that experiences in the arts, whether drawing, music, or dance, have informed how I study animal behavior and nervous system function.
“Growing up, I learned Bhangra—a traditional Punjabi folk dance that is highly rhythmic, energetic, and joyous. At first, it was a way to connect with my cultural roots, but, over time, I noticed unexpected parallels between dance and science. For example, practicing dance teaches a detailed awareness of body postures and movement sequences. This is a skill I also frequently use as a scientist to understand how animals rapidly maneuver their bodies to engage in complex social interactions. Just as a dancer’s movements are precisely timed and coordinated to the beat of music, animals coordinate sequences of defense, escape, or hunting movements in response to sensory cues from their environment or other animals. By pairing careful observation of these movements with experimental manipulations of the nervous system, we can learn how the brain integrates sensory information to guide rapid behavioral decisions.
“For a long time, I saw dance and science as separate parts of my life. But I’ve come to realize that both are creative, iterative processes requiring pattern recognition, adaptability, and openness to multiple perspectives. Each enriches my ability to do the other. And importantly, both are a reminder that new insights emerge when different ways of thinking come together. Just as dancers can add their own style to movements, scientists approach questions through the lens of their own experiences, shaping how they frame hypotheses, design experiments, and interpret results. Whether in dance or science, the combination of individuality and collaboration deepens understanding and brings new ideas to life.”
Jessleen Kanwal, postdoctoral scholar research associate in biology and biological engineering, will present her research on how insects “dance” for survival in a Science Journeys presentation on April 18. In Science Journeys, Caltech graduate students and postdoctoral scholars share their research to inspire scientific curiosity. Programs are designed for middle and high schoolers.
#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.