Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
Faculty mentor: Hanna Stevens, MD, PhD, professor, Ida P. Haller Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine
Degree program and anticipated graduation date: PhD in Neuroscience; Spring 2025

Maya Evans researches the striatum, a brain region that is important for motor learning and habit formation. The striatum is strongly linked to multiple psychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, where researchers have found the striatum to be structurally and functionally altered in many cases. Evans studies how stress during pregnancy affects the development of the striatum in offspring and how changes in the striatum’s development may impact behavior throughout life. Autism spectrum disorder affects many people, yet knowledge of its causes, effects on the brain, and treatments are limited. By focusing on an individual component of this complex condition, Evans hopes to increase understanding and help to create new therapies.

After graduating, Evans plans to pursue a postdoctoral research position to continue building her skills as a scientist. She would like to work in laboratory research in psychiatry and neurodevelopment.

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