Aref Zarin Ph.D.
Aref Zarin was a postdoctoral researcher in the HHMI laboratory of Chris Doe at the University of Oregon. Aref applies cutting-edge technologies to study the development and function of neural circuits driving motor behaviors in Drosophila larva.
In collaborative research, Aref generated a comprehensive synapse-level motor connectome using electron microscopy reconstruction of the entire larval nervous system. Aref is a pioneer in the application of calcium imaging methods to monitor neuronal activity and characterize animal locomotor behaviors at a single-muscle level. By altering the neural function and examining the motor output, Aref links the activity of individual neurons to animal behaviors.
Aref received his Ph.D. from the University of Dublin, where he studied the transcriptional mechanisms underlying neural circuit development. He also has an M.Sc. degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Tehran.
Aref is a multicultural person who has lived in three different countries (four culturally distinct cities), and can fluently speak three different languages. Traveling to different countries, exploring new cultures, camping, hiking and outdoor adventures, gardening and landscaping, beer tasting, and barbequing are the hobbies that Aref enjoys.
Yufeng Wan Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Researcher)
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in biological science from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China and my Biology PhD degree from Texas A&M University. I studied circadian clocks in Neurospora Crassa and humans when I was in Dr. Jinhu Guo’s lab as an undergraduate intern. During doctoral studies, I worked in Dr. Garcia’s lab on C. elegans’ male mating behavior and metabolism. I’m interested in understanding the diversity and plasticity of the neural-muscular circuits, which are the foundation of learning and recovery after injury in motor systems. Drosophila larvae would be a great model system for me to understand the mechanisms that regulate the formation and regulation of the circuits.
Outside the lab, I enjoy watching comedies and learning various scientific topics. I also enjoy fixing things at home on weekends.
Lizzy Olsen (Graduate Student)
Lizzy earned her Bachelors in Neuroscience for the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is interested in the cell and molecular mechanisms of the developing nervous system. Using the Drosophila model she is planning to contribute to the knowledge base of how the nervous system forms and is maintained. In the lab she will be characterizing the expression of nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in motor neurons of larvae and examining how the knock down of one or more of these receptor subunits affects locomotion as well as any redundancy and/or compensation. This will give her the opportunity to employ immunohistochemistry, genetic techniques including RNAi and CRISPR, and confocal imaging.
Outside of the lab, Lizzy enjoys going to the movies. Marvel movies in particular are a great interest of hers. She also enjoys attending Broadway musicals whenever she can. At home she can often be found hanging out with her cat and cooking.
Ankura Sitaula (Graduate Student)
Ankura earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington. As an undergraduate, she worked in Dr. Clay Clark’s lab where she was actively involved in cancer research. She was fascinated by the ways science could be used to answer complex questions. Driven by this enthusiasm, Ankura joined Zarin lab in the fall of 2021. She is interested in advancing her knowledge of excitatory cholinergic transmission in Drosophila underlying larval locomotion behavior. She believes discovering the expression patterns of cholinergic receptors will advance mankind’s knowledge of central cholinergic synapse development and plasticity. Ankura also believes deciphering the cholinergic endogenous fly pentameric receptors will aid in modeling insecticide resistance. During her Ph.D., she will be working on examining neuromodulation and neurotransmission using Drosophila larvae.
Ankura is also an astrophysics enthusiast and likes to read astrophysics books in her free time. She also visits different observatories for stargazing. She believes amalgamation and advancement in the field of biology and astrophysics would make it possible for us to be a multi-planetary species someday.
Komal Preet Kaur (Graduate Student)
I am a PhD student in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University. My research focuses on understanding how astrocytes maintain ionic balance and how this, in turn, influences motor circuit output in Drosophila larvae. Using genetic tools and advanced fluorescence imaging techniques, I hope to uncover the cellular mechanisms that allow neural circuits to function properly.
My journey into neuroscience has been somewhat unconventional. I earned my bachelor's degree with Honours in Microbiology from the University of Delhi and later completed a master's degree in Biotechnology at IIT Roorkee. While my academic training began in microbiology and biotechnology, I became increasingly fascinated by the complexity of the nervous system and the cellular interactions that underlie behaviour. This curiosity ultimately led me to pursue neuroscience research.
Outside the lab, I enjoy getting lost in a good thriller novel and spending time painting. I appreciate both the creativity and problem-solving that come with scientific research, and I am excited to explore how insights from different areas of biology can help us better understand the brain.
