CV
Education
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Pharmacology (2013 - 2018)
Doctor of Philosophy - Pharmacology (2013 - 2018)
- Doctor of Philosophy-Pharmacology
- Georgetown University
- Advisor: Stefano Vicini
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry (2006 - 2010)
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry (2006 - 2010)
- University of Maryland, College Park
Research
Research
October 2019 - Present: Yale University (New Haven, CT), Postdoctoral Fellow
October 2019 - Present: Yale University (New Haven, CT), Postdoctoral Fellow
- Project: The role L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) in regulating dopaminergic activity during cocaine abstinence
July 2013 - June 2018: Georgetown University (Washington, DC), PhD Candidate
July 2013 - June 2018: Georgetown University (Washington, DC), PhD Candidate
Physiological, Behavioral, and Histological Studies of Neuronal Dysfunction
- Utilized electrophysiological measurements obtained via whole-cell patch clamp recordings
- Analyzed excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic current properties (frequency, amplitude, rise time, decay time)
- Examined neuronal passive and active properties obtained using current-clamp recordings
- Probed source of altered synaptic transmission employing pharmacology
- Determined morphological complexity utilizing confocal imaging of reconstructed immunostained biocytin filled neurons
- Identified D1 and D2 spiny projection neurons (SPNs) via genetic expression of fluorescent markers
- Classified the physiological and morphological characteristics of D1 and D2 SPNs in mouse nucleus accumbens (NuAcc)
- Determined the role of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) on motor behavior and neuronal physiology in mouse NuAcc
- Confirmed MMP-1 overexpression using western blot
- Tested striatal activity and drug induced motor activity via i.p. injection of amphetamine
- Utilized optogenetic activation of genetically identified neurons and pharmacology to determine GABAergic subunit composition at distinct synapses in the striatum
- Tested the effect of neonatal phenobarbital exposure on GABAergic synaptic maturation in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons
- Facilitated a skills group focused on electrophysiological techniques
- Trained and supervised 1 undergraduate and 6 graduate students
- Authored/co-authored 3 publications
Neuropathology and Assessment of Biomarkers
- Evaluated the role of immunoglobulins as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in apolipoprotein (APOE) knock-in mice by examining brain, plasma, and spleen samples
- Investigated the consequences of lipopolysaccharide treatment in rats on inflammatory marker protein and gene expression utilizing ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Co-authored 1 publication
September 2010 - June 2013: Georgetown University (Washington, DC), Research Assistant
September 2010 - June 2013: Georgetown University (Washington, DC), Research Assistant
Design, Implementation, and Analysis: Drug Screening, Pharmacodynamic Assays
- Developed and conducted drug binding and functional assays to determine affinity, potency, selectivity and efficacy
- Developed and maintained (50) stable human embryonic kidney cell lines (HEK293) which express distinct neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)
- Maintained (14) transfected cell lines and harvested tissue for binding experiments
- Collaborated with drug discovery lab to characterize the properties of a new class of nAChR drugs
- Screened 16 drugs for binding affinity in 8 cell lines and rat forebrain tissue
- Determined antibody potency using immunoprecipitation following protein purification
- Tested drug side effects in a ferret model organism
- Screened 90+ drugs for the National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program
- Examined nAChR subunit composition utilizing immunoprecipitation
- Co-authored 6 publications
Publications
Publications
- Nour Al-muhtasib, P. Forcelli, S. Vicini. (2018). Differential electrophysiological properties of D1 and D2 spiny projection neurons in the mouse nucleus accumbens core. Physiological Reports. Full article.
- Fitch RW, Snider BB, Zhou Q, Foxman BM, Pandya AA, Yakel JL, Olson TT, Al-Muhtasib N, Xiao Y, Welch KD, Panter KE. Absolute configuration and pharmacology of the poison frog alkaloid phantasmidine. Journal of natural products, 81(4):1029-1035. Full article.
- Nour Al-muhtasib, A. Sepulveda-Rodriguez, S. Vicini, and P. Forcelli. (2018). Neonatal phenobarbital exposure disrupts GABAergic synaptic maturation in rat CA1 neurons. Epilepsia,59(2):333-344. Full article.
- Tuan EW, Horti AG, Olson TT, GAO Y, Stockmeier CA, Al-muhtasib N, Bowman Dalley C, Lewin AE, Wolfe BB, Sahibzada N, Xiao Y, Kellar KJ. (2015) AT-1001 is a partial agonist with high affinity and selectivity at human and rat alpha3beta4 nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Molecular pharmacology. 88(4):640-9. Full article.
- Y. Zhou, W. Zhao, N. Al-muhtasib, GW. Rebeck. (2015) APOE genotype: alters immunoglobulin subtypes in knock-in mice. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Full article.
- Y. Liu, M. Paige, T. Olson, N. Al-muhtasib, T. Xie, S. Hou, M. White, A. Cordova, J. Guo, K. Kellar, Y. Xiao, M. Brown. (2014) Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of new neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands derived from Sazetidine-A. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters, 24(13):2954-6. Full article.
- V. Yenogonda, Y. Xiao, E. Levin, A. Rezvani, T. Tran, N. Al-muhtasib, N. Sahibzada, T. Xie, C. Wells, S. Slade, J. Johnson, S. Dakshanamurthy, H. Kong, Y. Tomita, Y. Lieu, M. Paige, K. Kellar, M. Brown. (2013) Design, synthesis and discovery of picmolar selective alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 52(21):8404-21. Full article.
- Y. Liu, J. Richardson, T. Tran, N. Al-muhtasib, T. Xie, V. Yenugonda, H. Sexton, A. Rezvani, E. Levin, N. Sahibzada, K. Kellar, M. Brown, Y. Xiao, M. Paige. (2013) Chemistry and pharmacological studies of 3-alkoxy02,5-substituded-pyridyl compounds, novel selective alpha4beta2 nAChRs ligands that reduces alcohol Intake in Rats. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 56(7):3000-11. Full article.
- C. Beinat, SD. Banister, S. van Prehn, D. MR. Doddareddy, D. Hibbs, M. Sako, M. Chebib, T. Tran, N. Al-muhtasib, Y. Xiao, M. Kassiou. (2012). Consequences of linker length alteration of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, SEN12333. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters, 22(7):2380-4. Full article.
Teaching
Teaching
Lecturer, Oxford Royale Academy at Yale (Summer 2019)
Lecturer, Oxford Royale Academy at Yale (Summer 2019)
- Workshop - Neurons and the Brain
- Led and facilitated a hands on workshop for middle and high school aged visiting students
- Presented and conveyed basic neuroscience ideas
Lecturer, Georgetown University (Spring 2017 - Summer 2017)
Lecturer, Georgetown University (Spring 2017 - Summer 2017)
- Course - Introduction to Neurophysiology
- Lecture - The Cerebellum and the Basal Ganglia
Small Group Leader, Georgetown University School of Medicine (Fall 2016 - Fall 2017)
Small Group Leader, Georgetown University School of Medicine (Fall 2016 - Fall 2017)
- Course - Molecular and Cellular Physiology
- Led and facilitated group discussion on nerve muscle physiology
- Students were presented with four case studies and were required to answer the related questions and present the information to the group
- Responsible for shaping the discussion and guided students in answering the questions
- Received excellent student evaluation scores
Course Director, Georgetown University (Spring 2015 - Fall 2016)
Course Director, Georgetown University (Spring 2015 - Fall 2016)
- Course - Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior
- Collaborated with faculty to design curriculum and syllabus
- Translated complex ideas using multimedia sources, including course-specific website
- Mentored students on individual projects and assignments
- Lectures: Addiction and Drugs of Abuse, Introduction to Neuroscience, Huntington’s Disease, Psychopathy, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Received excellent student evaluation scores
Lecturer, Georgetown University (Spring 2014 - Spring 2015)
Lecturer, Georgetown University (Spring 2014 - Spring 2015)
- Course - Graduate Pharmacology
- Lecture- Antifungals
Writing and Oratory Experience
Writing and Oratory Experience
- Guest speaker on PhD Balance YouTube Channel (Summer 2020)
- Guest on The Science Pawdcast (Spring 2019)
- Guest on HerSTEMStory Podcast (Fall 2018)
- Authored a science communication articles in Scientifica NeuroWire blog detailing electrophysiology techniques and grant writing tips
- Journal of Neuroscience Collaborating Reviewer (Fall 2018)
- Collaborated with STEM media site and authored an article detailing factors to consider when choosing a graduate school mentor (Spring 2019)
- Presented data at local (4) and inter/national conferences (3)
- Panelist: Life After College, Spring Career Night (Spring 2018)
Awards and Honors
Awards and Honors
- Awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F32) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Nominated and received Graduate Student Teaching Award from the Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Spring 2017)
- Awarded Graduate School of Arts and Sciences travel grant
- Awarded Medical Center Graduate Student Organization travel grants (3) and a course grant (1)
- Recognized and awarded for exemplary poster presentation at American Physiological Society DMV Chapter Annual meeting
- Journal of Neuroscience Review Mentoring Program (Spring 2018)
Service Work
Service Work
Search Committee Member, Seminars at Yale Neuroscience (SYNAPSES)
Search Committee Member, Seminars at Yale Neuroscience (SYNAPSES)
- Fall 2018 - Spring 2020
- Developed application and related questions
- Reviewed and selected applicants
- Hosted and coordinated visit of speaker
Board Member, Woman in Science at Yale (WISAY)
Board Member, Woman in Science at Yale (WISAY)
- Summer 2018 - Fall 2019
- Coordinated Distinguished Woman in Science Luncheon
- Mentored two graduate students
Treasurer, Medical Center Graduate Student Organization
Treasurer, Medical Center Graduate Student Organization
- Fall 2015 - Spring 2017
- Developed and managed budget
- Coordinated with school officials to process reimbursements
- Managed 4 officers
- Implemented new program that provides PhD candidates with business cards