Alaina N. Tillman

October 2024 - Society for Neuroscience 2024 Conference 

Poster presentation "The Impact of Intravenous Ketamine Treatment on Sleep and Suicidal Thoughts"
Alaina Tillman, Dede Greenstein, Laura Waldman, Carlos Zarate Jr, Elizabeth Ballard
September 2024 - NIH Research Festival 

Poster presentation "The Impact of Intravenous Ketamine Treatment on Sleep and Suicidal Thoughts"
Alaina Tillman, Dede Greenstein, Laura Waldman, Carlos Zarate Jr, Elizabeth Ballard

May 2024 - Postbac Poster Day

Poster presentation "Self-Reported Sleep Difficulties Preceding a Suicide Crisis" 

Alaina Tillman, Dede Greenstein, Laura Waldman, Carlos Zarate Jr, Elizabeth Ballard

April 2024 - Suicide Research Symposium 

Poster presentation "Self-Reported Sleep Difficulties Preceding a Suicide Crisis"
Alaina Tillman, Dede Greenstein, Laura Waldman, Carlos Zarate Jr, Elizabeth Ballard

April 2024 - Anxiety and Depression Association of America Conference 

Poster presentation "The Interaction Between Sleep and Suicide Risk Across the Continuum"
Alaina Tillman, Dede Greenstein, Laura Waldman, Carlos Zarate Jr, Elizabeth Ballard
April 2024 - NIMH Julius Axelrod Symposium 

Poster presentation "The Interaction Between Sleep and Suicide Risk Across the Continuum"
Alaina Tillman, Dede Greenstein, Laura Waldman, Carlos Zarate Jr, Elizabeth Ballard

November 2023 - Society for Neuroscience 

Poster presentation "Predictors from Initial Ketamine Administration with Neuropsychiatric Patients for Long-Term Ketamine Treatment Utilization"  

Alaina Tillman, Kelly Hurst, Dede Greenstein, Jessica Gilbert, Carlos A. Zarate Jr., Elizabeth Ballard
September 2023 - NIMH 25th Anniversary Scientific Training Day 

Poster presentation "Predictors from Initial Ketamine Administration with Neuropsychiatric Patients for Long-Term Ketamine Treatment Utilization"
Alaina Tillman, Kelly Hurst, Dede Greenstein, Jessica Gilbert, Carlos A. Zarate Jr., Elizabeth Ballard

September 2023 - NIMH Three Minute Talk Winner

Three minute talk "Advancing Precision Psychiatry: Implications of the Immune System in the Biopsychosocial Approach"

June 2023 - NIMH Three Minute Talk Finalist

Three minute talk "Advancing Precision Psychiatry: Implications of the Immune System in the Biopsychosocial Approach"

April 2023 - Society of Biological Psychiatry 

Poster presentation "Sex effect on sleep homeostasis in Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) versus Healthy Controls"

Alaina N. Tillman, Nadia S. Hejazi, Amanda Kowalczyk, Wallace C. Duncan Jr., and Carlos A. Zarate Jr.

April 2023 - National Institutes of Health Postbac Poster Day

Poster presentation "Sex effect on sleep homeostasis in Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) versus Healthy Controls"

Alaina N. Tillman, Nadia S. Hejazi, Amanda Kowalczyk, Wallace C. Duncan Jr., and Carlos A. Zarate Jr.

June 2021 - NeuroImmune Interactions in Health and Disease

SciTalk "Serotonergic IL-1R1-dependent regulation of CNS neuronal activation following peripheral LPS"

Alaina N. Tillman, Paula A. Gajewski-Kurdziel, Ning Quan, Randy D. Blakely

June 2021 - NeuroImmune Interactions in Health and Disease

Poster presentation "Serotonergic IL-1R1-dependent regulation of CNS neuronal activation following peripheral LPS"

Alaina N. Tillman, Paula A. Gajewski-Kurdziel, Ning Quan, Randy D. Blakely

April 2020 - Florida Atlantic University 10th Undergraduate Research Symposium

Oral presentation “Investigation of Serotonergic IL-1R1 in Mediating LPS-Induced Neuronal Activation”

Alaina Tillman, Paula Gajewski-Kurdziel, Randy Blakely

April 2020 - American Medical Student Association National Conference

Poster Presentation “Investigation of Sex Specific Roles of Serotonergic IL-1R1 in Mediating Immune System-Related Neuronal Activation”

Alaina Tillman, Paula Gajewski-Kurdziel, Randy Blakely

August 2019 - Scripps Undergraduate Research Conferences

Poster Presentation “The Role of Serotonergic IL-1R1 in Mediating LPS-Induced Changes in Neuronal Activation”

Alaina Tillman, Paula Gajewski-Kurdziel, Randy Blakely

July 2019 - John NAMBU Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates Conference

Oral presentation “Investigating the Link Between the Immune System and Behavior: The Role of Serotonergic IL-1R1”

Alaina Tillman, Paula Gajewski-Kurdziel, Randy Blakely

Manuscripts in preparation:

1) Ballard ED, Greenstein D, Tillman AN, Hejazi N, Waldman L, Duncan WC, Zarate CA. Sleep Disturbance Associated with the Recent Suicide Crisis.

2) Gajewski-Kurdziel PA, Iwamoto H, Tillman AN, Filliben Z, Robson MJ, Baganz NL, Quan N, Blakely RD. Serotonergic IL-1R1 mediates peripheral immune actions on behavior and neuronal activation.

3) Hu H*, Tillman AN* (co-first), Fujita M, Ballard ED, Lee Y, Zarate CA. Can ketamine and other NMDA receptor modulators be considered as an empathogen/entactogen?

• 09/2022 - Current: Shadow Dr. William Gahl, MD, PhD through the Undiagnosed Diseases Program at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Center
• 08/2022 - Current: Shadow Dr. Carlos Zarate, MD, Dr. Mark Kvarta, MD, PhD, and Dr. Adam Fijtman, MD, PhD at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Center
• 03/2018 - 09/2018: Shadowed Dr. John D Cantando, DO at Palm Beach Neurosurgery for 100+ hours
• 05/2018 - 08/2018: Shadowed Dr. Patricia Anastasio, MD at Advanced Pediatrics of Boca for 50+ hours

President for the Brain Exercise Initiative Friendship Heights Chapter 05/2023 - Current

• Assist with planning and organizing fun and engaging brain exercises and activities with the resident home. Brainstorm ideas alongside volunteers to implement ways to grow.
• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses simple math, writing, and reading aloud exercises as an intervention to improve cognitive function in elderly individuals. Through the NIH Chapter, work alongside senior residents in Washington DC to engage them in fun exercises that reduce cognitive decline, as well as provide support and connection to empower the individuals within the community

Founder and Director of Operation Care Initiative 09/2017 - Current

• Established between Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Lynn Cancer Institute, and the Miami Cancer Institute
• Coordinate collection of items to assemble into care packages for cancer patients for the holiday season
• Direct ambassadors program to recruit volunteers for community outreach expansion
• 9000 donations have been collected and assembled into over 500 care packages that were personally distributed to cancer patients at the three hospital affiliations

President for the American Medical Student Association at Florida Atlantic University 04/2019 - 05/2020

• Directed a team of 30 officers to host over 120 events characterized around assisting pre-health students to get more involved in the healthcare field
• Collaborated with Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine for members to experience Gross Anatomy Lab, Standardized Patient Program, and Healthcare Career Outreach Program
• Established partnership with the Hardrock stadium to fundraise for members and the organization. Coordinated and fundraised at University of Miami football games, the Orange Bowl, and Superbowl LIV
• Created Mentor-Mentee Program, and the following two interest groups: Exercise, Lifestyle, and Nutrition in Medicine & Advocacy, Healthcare Administration, and Public Health in Medicine

Director of Research for the American Medical Student Association at Florida Atlantic University 12/2017 - 04/2019

• Worked alongside a Co-Director to engage members in undergraduate research
• Hosted 5 workshops a semester on: how to discover research interests, contact principal investigators, write grants, prepare for and present presentations, apply to summer internships, and network
• Offered 10-20 hours of appointment slots a week to meet one on one with members
• 100+ students were able to find and/or get more integrated into their research lab

Miriam's Kitchen 03/2023 - Present

• The Miriam’s Kitchen team utilizes a comprehensive approach to eliminating the housing crisis in Washington, D.C. Through engaging our guests with healthy, made-from-scratch meals, we also connect them with personalized social services that assist them with re-building their lives
• Helping individuals obtain housing as well as the support, resources, and health connections to thrive in housing

Brain Exercise Initiative: National Institutes of Health Chapter 02/2022 - Present

• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses simple math, writing, and reading aloud exercises as an intervention to improve cognitive function in those with dementia.
• Work alongside senior residents in Washington DC to engage them in fun reading and arithmetic exercises that reduce cognitive decline, as well as provide support and connection to empower the individuals within the community

Program for Advancing the Health Sciences (PATHS) 09/2022 - Present

• A volunteer organization aimed towards guiding and inspiring local high school students in the NOVA and PGCPS school districts. This program matches students in health-related educational tracks at their schools with mentors and provides them with academic and career development opportunities.
• The goal is to provide an immediate mentor for STEM-focused students who may not have access to this type of network otherwise. Assigned as a mentor to students in the NOVA area. Work towards guiding the students professionally through career exploration, development, and navigating school.
• Meet regularly with students twice a month and help to facilitate development workshops held once a month

Bethesda Cares 06/2023 - 05/2024

• Go into the community with case workers to engage with and provide resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. Build trust and relationships with clients to help begin the work of assisting them with permanent housing.
• Community clinics coordinated between USUHS and volunteer pools. Collect basic health information and vitals to identify patients with chronic or acute health conditions that need to be addressed.

Feeding South Florida 04/2021 - 07/2022

• Volunteered 115 hours at the warehouse and distribution centers
• Received an award for volunteer of the month for May 2022
• Assisted with distributing donations of nutritious food from every category on the pyramid from local supermarkets
• Worked with others to inspect, organize, and assemble food donations donated from the local community into meals, at the warehouse that are sent back out to partner non-profit organizations

Advancing STEM Community Engagement Through Neuroscience Discovery (ASCEND) 05/2020 - 07/2022

• Prepared "brain boxes" with interactive neuroscience-related materials, that are shipped out to students in 7th grade for virtual NeuroExplorers Program to engage students in STEM-related topics
• Visited local Title I middle schools through the MobileMinds program to provide STEM and neuroscience-related educational topics to the students during class
• Worked with the Cox Science Museum to provide educational materials and engagement for field trips and special events

Boca Raton Regional Hospital/Baptist Health 05/2016 - 04/2022

• Accumulated 1400 hours total at the hospital as a volunteer
• Received an award for Volunteer of the Month for December 2018 and was nominated for volunteer of the year
• Assisted medical staff with various administrative duties
• Made deliveries throughout the hospital if necessary. Transported blood and platelets throughout the hospital for IV Therapy

Standardized Patient Program 08/2018 - 05/2019

• Provided with a script to act as a patient in a clinical simulation for exams and practicals with the medical students at Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
• Completed around 70 hours of the program throughout the 2018-2019 term
• Learned more about different conditions and illnesses and their associative symptoms
• Gained the ability to better understand how to perform a clinical analysis on a patient

Knowing Neurons Science Policy Associate 09/2024 - Present

• Knowing Neurons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between neuroscience research and the public through accessible educational content and advocacy, aimed at enhancing science communication and understanding
• Contribute to the development of innovative neuroscience policy projects, driving impactful research and advocacy efforts with support from the Science Policy Team to address emerging topics in the field
• Author and edit insightful policy articles that bridge neuroscience research with public policy, contributing to a deeper understanding of how scientific advancements influence societal and policy outcomes.
• Foster collaborative relationships with leading science policy organizations, such as SfN Advocacy and the National Science Policy Network, to enhance advocacy efforts and expand the reach of neuroscience policy contributions

NIMH Mental Health Disparities Team Member 09/2023 - Present 

• Promote innovative and high impact mental health research that enhances our understanding of minority mental health and health disparities, reduces mental health disparities and its impact on individuals and communities, and achieves mental health equity.
• Members attend monthly meetings to exchange insights and perspectives on mental health disparities related topics, discuss strategies to advance disparities science, and report to and from Divisions/Offices on relevant disparities activities.
• Serve on Disparities Team workgroups (past topics have included: Suicide Risk and Prevention, Community Engaged Research, and Social Determinants of Health)

National Institutes of Health Science Policy Discussion Group 12/2022 - Present

• SPDG members meet twice a month to discuss a science policy related topic in the context of the prevailing scientific, political, and socioeconomic climate, as well as its governing policies.
• Each member of the SPDG is expected to help to lead and coordinate one of the monthly discussion topics as part of a small group. Each small group (4-7 members) is responsible for selecting a science policy discussion topic as well as background literature, editorials, and relevant links for the entire SPDG to read. The small group is also responsible for leading the discussion roundtable and inviting the guest speaker to lead the other discussion session.
• Contributed multiple science policy articles

National Institute of Mental Health Global Mental Health Team 10/2022 - 10/2023

• The team focuses on expanding research in low-resource settings internationally, to expand preventive strategies and address mental health care. By focusing on developed and developing countries, the team reflects an understanding that the inclusion of diverse populations, communities, contexts, and researchers from across the globe can accelerate and enrich scientific advancements and help reduce mental health disparities both globally and domestically
• Exchange insights and perspectives on global mental health related topics and provide consultative-technical support to diverse members of the extramural research community at all career stages

Science Policy and Advocacy Certificate Program 06/2023 - 09/2023

• Accepted into the 2023 Science Policy & Advocacy Certificate Program to increase knowledge of & experience with public policy processes, advocacy related to science policy, and develop the ability to communicate effectively with members in the policy arena
• Built expertise in giving a science policy pitch to policymakers and grew network among peer and other science policy experts
• Created an advocacy document power mapping plan, speaking piece elevator pitch, and writing piece op-ed

National Institutes of Health Academy 09/2022 - 07/2023

• A year-long program that includes a series of lectures and seminars, discussions with experts, a diversity course, and career panels geared towards learning more about various local, national, and global health disparities to promote health equity
• Enhanced understanding of health disparities in different settings, such as gaps in healthcare and research
• Involvement with community outreach initiatives that are integrated in the program to engage with individuals in the local community, and strengthened the ability to learn how to work alongside professionals and colleagues from different sectors to effectively address health disparities.
• Led a group alongside peers in the program to develop and present a health disparities-related project throughout the year addressing mental health resources and solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness

Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC) (Recertification) September 2024

National Academy of Sports Medicine

Credential ID: 116859489

Science Communication Badge September 2024

National Institute of Mental Health

Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) (Recertification) February 2024

National Academy of Sports Medicine

Credential ID: 109844499

DC Special Flight Rules Area October 2023

Federal Aviation Administration

Credential ID: 1478293-20231031-00405

Science Policy and Advocacy for STEM Scientists Certificate Program September 2023

Sigma Xi/University of California Irvine

Psychological First Aid August 2023

Coursera

Credential ID: 5QA9K2TAZNAC

NIH Academy on Health Disparities July 2023

National Institutes of Health

First Aid for Opioid Overdoses June 2023

American Red Cross

Credential ID: 018V8D9

Human MRI Training Course September 2022

National Institutes of Health

Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC) August 2022

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Credential ID: 1220871237

Instrument Rating Part 141 - Airplane Single Engine Land July 2022

AAMRO Flight Academy/Federal Aviation Administration

Credential ID: 2792897

Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) February 2022

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Credential ID: 1220783682

CPR/AED January 2024

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Credential ID: 1220752785

Private Airmen Certificate Part 141 - Airplane Single Engine Land June 2020

American Flyers Academy/Federal Aviation Administration

Credential ID: 4383776

2nd Degree Kukkiwon Black Belt June 2013

One World Taekwondo Foundation, Inc.

Credential ID: 09311546

• September 2024 - National Institute of Mental Health Travel Trainee Award Grant
• September 2023 - National Institute of Mental Health Three-Minute Talk Winner
• June 2023 - National Institutes of Mental Health Three-Minute Talk Finalist
• May 2022 - Awarded Volunteer of the Month for Feeding South Florida
• April 2020 - 2nd Place in the Basic Sciences Category: Oral presentation on “Investigation of Serotonergic IL-1R1 in Mediating LPS-Induced Neuronal Activation” at the Florida Atlantic University 10th Undergraduate Research Symposium