Rujul Gandhi ’22

Rujul Gandhi graduated from MIT in 2022, where she was a double major in Linguistics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She’s currently researching speech at Harvard University, where she’s pursuing doctoral study in Speech & Hearing Bioscience. “I’m interested in the neural computations that underlie speech processing and perception,” she says.

Why did you choose to study your field/ fields at MIT?

I thought language was beautiful and fascinating, so I was excited to formally study linguistics. I was initially interested in machine translation and studied EECS as well.

What are you doing now?

I’m researching speech! This fall, I joined a PhD program in Speech & Hearing Bioscience & Technology at Harvard. Prior to that, I spent a couple of years working in a speech neuroscience lab in San Francisco.

What is the focus of your research or work?

I’m interested in the neural computations that underlie speech processing and perception. When we have a conversation, we process a lot of information at once — from subtle emotional cues to very specific inside jokes — and then easily convert our intended response into quick muscle movements. I am focusing on the neuroscience of how this works.

How did your experience in SHASS help prepare you for what you want to do in the world?

My linguistics classes taught me about critical thinking and how to analyze academic problems. Other SHASS classes, such as in theater or political science, gave me a chance to learn about human connection at levels from individual to global. My current work on communication falls into this broad theme of how people connect to each other.

I think the most valuable part of my SHASS experience was learning from my classmates’ perspectives. I met a lot of great friends through my department, and I continue to be inspired by them in every conversation.

Was there a particular class you took or connection you made in SHASS that had a memorable impact?

I really enjoyed taking 24.909 (Field Methods in Linguistics) with Abdul-Razak Sulemana. The class involved developing a grammatical sketch of an unknown language. It was challenging, tons of fun, and reminded me why I loved linguistics. I also fondly recall 21M.790 (Director’s Craft) with Dan Safer. I still think about insights and explorations from this class when I create or appreciate art.

In terms of career, I began realizing I was interested in speech while learning about phonology and phonetics at MIT Linguistics. Encouragement and support from faculty there helped me get started on my current path.