Lab Members

I am a 5th-year post-doctoral fellow. I received my Ph.D. from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. My Ph.D. research focused on understanding stem cell biology and neuro-regeneration in Parkinson’s disease Wistar rat model, using in-vitro differentiated primary human mesenchymal stem cells obtained from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and dental pulp. I became interested in understanding the neurobiology of addiction while working briefly with Dr. Maged Harraz at Johns Hopkins University. I look forward to diversifying my knowledge and experience in addiction biology while working in the Harraz Lab. 

Besides science, I am interested in acrylic and oil painting, mandala drawing, hiking, and music.

America graduated with BA.s in Psychology with a minor in Biology from California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) in May 2022. Her undergraduate research focused on the effects of adolescent sucrose exposure on oxycodone/cocaine self-administration in adulthood as well as on operant novelty seeking in rats. America found a passion for research in Dr. Gancarz lab at CSUB and is now continuing and expanding her learning in Dr. Harraz's Lab for her PhD thesis. America is very easy to approach and is outgoing! And loves to listen to music. 

A.A.S. in Biotechnology from Baltimore City Community College,  

B.S. in Biology from Notre Dame of Maryland University.  

Research interest: I worked in labs studying neurodevelopment disorders and the neurobiology of autoimmune diseases, making me drawn to Neuroscience. I have an interest in understanding the psychology and neurobiology of drug addiction. 

Ayush is interested in research about neurotransmitters: understanding how they are synthesized, released, and received by neurons and how they impact neural communication. He is also interested in investigating the impact of neural plasticity on behavior, how it contributes to learning and memory, and how it impacts behavior in health and disease.

Annie is studying Experimental Neuroscience at Virginia Tech, and her research interests lie in unraveling the neurobiological basis of addiction and mood disorders. She hopes to work someday towards more precise, individualized medicine in the field of psychiatric prescription. She enjoys hiking, fencing, and swing dance in her free time.

Zuhdi is pursuing his degree as a biology and psychology double major at UMBC. He is interested in researching the neurobiology of major depressive disorders and their treatments. He wants to learn more about the underlying mechanisms that contribute to depression and how it can be counteracted. He enjoys playing basketball and listening to music.

I am Miftah, a rising senior at Montgomery Blair High School in the Magnet Program. I am interested in topics all over the STEM field, especially neuroscience and psychology. I am looking to learn more about how autophagy occurs in the cell and how different treatments can inhibit or induce this process.

Lab Alumni