A Horse, an App, and a Heart Full of Purpose

How a skater from India ended up in a Wisconsin barn with horses,
technology, and a passion to make a difference

Growing Up In Motion

I was born in Mysore, a city in southern India known for its palaces, culture, and coconut trees, not exactly the ice-skating capital of the world. But from a young age, I was always moving. I started on roller skates and eventually found my way to ice. Skating gave me discipline, balance, and a deep appreciation for the body’s power and precision. It also gave me my first glimpse into the magic of movement.

Still, I never imagined that one day I’d trade my skates for stirrups.

Like many children raised in ambitious households, I pursued engineering, electrical and electronics, to be exact. I studied circuits, wires, and resistors, but my heart wasn’t in it. I had the skills, but not the spark. What I didn’t know yet was that my love for structure and design would one day help me build not machines, but systems for human connection and healing.

Dr. Meera's fellowship is under the supervision of Dr. Beth Fields in the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab in UW-Madison's Department of Kinesiology.