Rafiq Huda, PhD
assistant professor
wm keck center for collaborative neuroscience
department of cell biology and neuroscience
rutgers university
I was born in the seaport city of Karachi in Pakistan and immigrated to Chicago at the age of 13. I was fortunate to win a transformative scholarship from the Posse foundation, allowing me to attend Carleton College. I majored in Biology and graduated magna cum laude with honors in 2008. That same year, I started my graduate studies with Prof. Marco Martina in the Dept. of Physiology at Northwestern University. I trained as a cellular neurophysiologist and uncovered novel molecular and cellular mechanisms for respiratory regulation by brainstem neurons and astrocytes. I started my postdoctoral work in 2014 with Prof. Mriganka Sur in the Dept. of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. There, I extended my training to systems neuroscience and advanced optical methods for analysis of neural circuits in behaving mice. My work uncovered the function of distinct prefrontal cortex output circuits in perceptual decision-making. I also collaborated with Prof. Ann Graybiel to dissect the function of distinct cell-types in the striatum in reinforcement-based learning.
As a PI, I am deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive training environment. Please contact me if you are interested in joining us!
Wesley evans, phd
POSTdoctoral associate
phd in neuroscience, tulane university
Dr. Evans is a post-doctoral fellow who joins us from Tulane University, where he trained in neurovascular systems. He brings valuable expertise in 2-photon calcium imagining. In the lab, Wes is studying how astrocyte-neuron interactions in the striatum contribute to movement under basal conditions and in mouse models of Parkinson’s disease.
CHERISH ARDINGER
POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE
PHD in ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE, INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURdue university indianapolis
Dr. Ardinger is a post-doctoral fellow broadly interested in studying the neurobiological causes of and identifying treatments for addiction. In the Huda lab, her current research focuses on how astrocyte modulation of cell specific striatum circuits contribute to alcohol-related behaviors. Cherish recently received her PhD from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis working in the labs of Drs. Christopher Lapish and Nicholas Grahame where she studied neural networks involved in alcohol front-loading and binge drinking. Cherish is excited to continue to study the impact of alcohol on brain and behavior using rodent models.
ESTHER YEASONG KO
PhD Student
BS in Neuroscience, Baylor University
Esther is an international student from South Korea and a first year graduate student in the Huda Lab. Previously, she worked as a research assistant in the Hwa Lab under Dr. Lara Hwa at Baylor University, where she investigated the role of serotonin in binge drinking behavior. In the Huda Lab, Esther is investigating the role of ACC interneurons in modulating autonomic arousal and alcohol drinking using in-vivo two photon imaging. Outside of the lab, she is an avid video gamer, bird watcher, and traveler.
anagha kalelkar
senior lab technician
BA in psychology, the college of new jersey
Anagha Kalelkar is a post-bac lab technician in the Huda Lab. She completed her BA in Psychology with a double minor in Biology and Chemistry at The College of New Jersey. Her previous research experience is in cognitive neuroscience with Dr. Andrew Leynes in the ERP Lab at The College of New Jersey. In this lab, she completed her senior honors thesis investigating the role of priming with memory using ERPs. At the Huda Lab, she studies the role of astrocytes in maladaptive alcohol-related behaviors. She plans on pursuing a career in neuroscience with a focus on drug development.
nithik chintalacheruvu
Undergraduate Student
Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Rutgers University
Nithik is currently studying Cell Biology/Neuroscience through the SAS Honors Program. In particular, he is interested in how specific parts of the brain affect specific behaviors, as well as the brain's role in consciousness and experience. After college, Nithik aims to attend medical school and continue learning more about the human brain.
Sanya Ravoori
Undergraduate Student
Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University
Sanya is studying Cell Biology and Neuroscience through the SAS Honors Program. She is interested in studying diseases and conditions involving the nervous system, particularly Parkinson's Disease. After college, Sanya hopes to go to medical school while continuing to work in research.