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Nina Ardabili
I am a second-year PhD student in Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience and working in the psychopharmacology lab. I graduated from American University in the spring of 2021 with my MS in Analytical Chemistry.
During my master's I worked in Analytical Neuro-Chemistry Lab. Using a novel method of Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV) and carbon fiber microelectrodes, I was able to characterize and develop a method (waveform) to detect oxytocin and Tyrosine contain compounds both in vivo and ex vivo these electrodes can be used in animal tissues as well. After graduation, I worked as an Adjunct faculty at American University. I thought Chemistry laboratories. It was a great experience, and I had a chance to learn new teaching skills and get involved with students.
Meanwhile, I joined Dr. Anthony Riley's lab with the Eco-HIV project. In this project, we investigate how the cognitive impairments caused by HIV may exacerbate drug Addiction and study the association between HIV infection and addiction, which leads to impairing immunological and non-immunological pathways.
This year, I've obtained many skills, such as different behavioral study designs and Intravenous (IV) catheterization surgeries. Conditioned place preference and Tase avoidance techniques and learning and investigating various neurochemical analysis techniques to study the brain amines.
I am interested in investigating the correlation between diet and opioid use disorder due to its potential significance in various areas. Understanding the risk factors associated with this relationship can aid in formulating effective prevention strategies and treatment interventions. By exploring the interplay between diet and opioid use disorder, we can address the comorbidity of these conditions and develop holistic approaches that consider the multifaceted nature of addiction and its impact on overall health. Furthermore, it can promote public health initiatives by shedding light on the connection between drug addiction, obesity, and their detrimental effects on the human brain. By uncovering the underlying causes and implementing appropriate measures, we aim to mitigate the serious health threats posed by these issues and establish a pathway toward their control.