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Harmain Rafi
I am a second-year neuroscience PhD student working primarily under Dr. Alexander Zestos in the Analytical Neuro-Chemistry Lab. I also work in collaboration with Dr. Riley, in determining if a novel PKC inhibitor drug can mitigate the addictive effects of stimulant drugs.
I received my bachelors in neuroscience and a double minor in psychology and chemistry from George Mason University. I had my first taste of science research when I assisted with behavioral training in rats studying methods of memory. Towards the end of my undergraduate career, I was accepted as a volunteer at the Food and Drug Administration, White Oak facility, where I continued as a full time fellow following graduation. Here I worked in a neurological devices lab studying implanted electrodes, biomarkers for mild traumatic brain injury in mice, and novel methods of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of damaged sciatic nerves in rats. The nearly five plus years at the FDA solidified my love for science research and I knew in order to continue, a PhD would be critical.
My current project entails using a novel multichannel electrode with the analytical method fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to detect neurotransmitters artificially and soon in tissue. I also work in collaboration with Dr. Riley, in determining if a novel PKC inhibitor drug (6c) can mitigate the addictive effects of stimulant drugs such as amphetamines, bath salts, and cocaine.