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 an NIAAA F32-funded 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.
Nancy Collie-Beard
PhD Student
BA in Behavioral neurobiology, CUNY Hunter College
Nancy is a graduate student and NSF GRFP fellow in the Huda lab, obtaining her PhD through the Neuroscience program. Broadly, she is interested in the neural circuitry underlying maladaptive behavior, and how inter-individual differences account for vulnerability to these behaviors. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a concentration in Behavioral Neurobiology, and minors in Chemistry and Math. Prior to Rutgers, she worked with Dr. Nesha Burghardt at CUNY Hunter College, studying the neurobiological basis for the development of activity-based anorexia in mice. Her research in the Huda lab explores the role of the ACC as a modulator of behavioral outcomes related to threat processing, and how inter-individual baseline differences may influence coordinated behavior and autonomic response. When she is not in the lab, you can find her rock climbing, watching true crime with her dog, Moritz, or spoiling her nephew, Izzy.
Hunter Wells
lab technician
BA in psychology and Neuroscience, Miami University
Hunter Wells is a post-bac lab technician in the Huda Lab. He completed his BA in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in French at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. His previous research experience is in behavioral neuroscience with Dr. Matthew McMurray in the McMurray Lab and Dr. Anna Radke in the Reward and Addiction Disorders (RAD) Lab at Miami University. As part of his work in the McMurray Lab, he completed his Psychology Departmental Honors and Honors with Distinction thesis investigating the ability of different compounds found in psilocybin-containing mushrooms to mobilize intracellular calcium. At the Huda Lab, he studies the role of astrocytes in mouse models of Parkinson’s. Hunter plans on pursuing a PhD in neuroscience with a focus on Parkinson’s Disease.
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 & 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.
Angelica Vellore
Undergraduate Student
Biomedical engineering, Rutgers University
Angelica Vellore is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering and member of the Honors Engineering Academy. With a keen interest in neuroscience, particularly the study of astrocytes, she actively engages in research that bridges the gap between engineering and medicine. Passionate about pursuing a career in medicine, Angelica plans to continue contributing to the field through research and clinical practice.
Cynthia Jacob
Undergraduate Student
Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Rutgers University
Cynthia is an undergraduate student majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with minors in Computer Science and Math. Her research interests lie at the intersection of computational and behavioral neuroscience, with a focus on neuron-to-astrocyte interactions implicated in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s. Outside of the lab, she enjoys thrifting, crocheting, and bingeing sitcoms.
Molly Saunders Lucy
Undergraduate student
Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Rutgers University
Molly Saunders Lucy is an undergraduate student studying Cell Biology and Neuroscience. She has a particular interest in neurocircuitry and research related to neurodegenerative disorders. Molly is passionate about medicine and the research behind it, and she plans to pursue an MD/PhD in neuroscience.
ARNAV PATEL
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
CELL BIOLOGY & NEUROSCIENCE, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Arnav is an undergraduate student majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Business Administration. He is interested in studying the effects that alcohol has on signaling pathways within the brain that play a role in addiction. After college, Arnav aims to attend medical school while maintaining his interest in neuroscience research.
George Xanthos
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
CELL BIOLOGY & NEUROSCIENCE, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
George is an undergraduate student pursuing a major in Cell Biology and Neuroscience as a member of the SAS Honors Program. He is focused on researching how astrocytes in the striatum influence behaviors related to alcohol use. After college, George hopes to attend medical school while continuing research in neuroscience.
ANANYA GUNDA
uNDERGRADUATE sTUDENT
cELL bIOLOGY & nEUROSCIENCE, rUTGERS uNIVERSITY
Ananya is an undergraduate student majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology as a member of the SAS Honors Program. Her research interests focus on the study of astrocytes and their role in various alcohol-related behaviors and their overall role in alcohol addiction. After college, Ananya aims to attend medical school in hopes of entering a specialty in cardiology or neurology.