Marziyeh Belal
Chicago,Illinois
Summary
Hardworking Postdoctoral Research Fellow with demonstrated record of research success in the field of Neurophysiology (focused at Parkinson's disease). Self-directed and motivated professional with highly-ethical, meticulous and thorough approach.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Neuroscientist)
Northwestern University, Feinberg School Of Medicine
03.2021 - Current
- Critical analysis of the scientific literature
- Collaborated effectively with multidisciplinary teams (e.g. theoretical and experimental neuroscience teams), resulting in innovative approaches to solve complex problems.
- Presented research findings at international conferences, increasing visibility within the scientific community.
- Mentored PhD, MD, and undergraduate researchers, fostering their growth as independent scientists.
- Maintained detailed records of experimental procedures and results, facilitating reproducibility and future investigations.
- Participated actively in lab meetings, sharing valuable insights that contributed to ongoing projects'' progress.
- Assisted with recruitment efforts for new postdoctoral researchers joining our team by conducting interviews and evaluating applicant qualifications.
- Optimized existing protocols for increased efficiency, saving time while maintaining data integrity.
- Applied advanced analytical methods to analyze complex datasets, revealing novel insights into studied phenomena.
- Authored comprehensive reports on research outcomes, ensuring clear communication of findings to diverse audiences.
- Implemented cutting-edge technologies such as ex vivo single-cell perforated/whole cell patch clamp in mouse brain slices, Optogenetics, Stereotaxic Brain Surgery, and 2-Photon Microscopy, in daily work routines, staying current with industry advancements.
- Staying up to date with Northwestern University and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) regulations
- Addressed challenges proactively by identifying potential issues in experimental design and proposing innovative solutions.
- Writing scientific papers for publications and seminars
- Fostered an inclusive working environment within the lab group by promoting open communication and mutual respect among team members.
- Contributed to and actively participated in research conception, design and execution to address defined problems.
- Managing three scientific projects simultaneously
Graduate researcher
University of Exeter
01.2016 - 03.2021
- Presented findings at five academic conferences, promoting knowledge sharing within the scientific community.
- Mentored undergraduate students on research techniques, fostering their professional development in academia.
- Assisted in experimental design and execution, ensuring accurate results were obtained for further analysis.
- Conducted thorough background research on relevant topics to provide context for current studies and inform future investigations.
- Optimized lab procedures by regularly updating standard operating protocols to reflect best practices in the field.
- Managed laboratory inventory, ensuring all necessary supplies were available for efficient and uninterrupted workflow.
- Participated in weekly meetings with the principal investigator, providing updates on project progress and discussing potential improvements to methodology or approach.
- Expanded professional network by attending workshops, conferences, and seminars related to my field of study.
- Developed in-vitro single-cell perforated patch clamp in parallel with calcium imaging
- Compiled and synthesized data to identify larger trends and research patterns impacting area of study.
- Developed Matlab codes to analyze electrophysiology data and calcium traces
- Maintaining cell culture (cell line and primary cell)
- Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
- Molecular cloning and generating lentiviral construct
- qRT-PCR and genotyping transgenic PER1-Venus mice colony
- Fluorescence microscopy for time-laps imaging
MSc researcher
University of Bradford
09.2015 - 09.2016
- Developed single cell whole-cell patch clamp to characterize the electrophysiological properties of bovine chondrocytes using pharmacological agents
- Maintained detailed records of experimental procedures, observations, and results for accurate reporting and replication purposes.
- Interpreted data analysis results to draw inferences and conclusions.
Education
PhD in Medical Science, Neuroendocrinology -
University of Exeter
Exeter, UK03.2021
MSc in Biomedical Science -
University of Bradford
Bradford, UK01.2016
BSc in Cell And Molecular Biology -
Shiraz University
Shiraz, Iran01.2014
Skills
- Writing Scientific Articles
- Interdisciplinary Coordination
- Research
- Data analysis
- Proficient in electrophysiology and imaging
- Mentoring and Training
- Research Methodologies
- Experimental design
- Scientific presentations
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
Languages
Farsi: Native language.
English: Fluent (speaking, reading, writing).
Arabic: Good (speaking, reading, writing).
French: Intermediate (speaking, reading, writing).
Related Professional Experience
- University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, 2018-2019, An organizer of Brain Awareness Week (BAW) event
- University of Bradford, Bradford, UK, 2015-2016, Student representative
- Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, 2013-2014, Shiraz University council member
Professional Associations
British Society of Neuroendocrinology (BSN), 2017, 2020
Awards
900 pounds travel grant from BSN, 2018
Publications
State-dependent GABAergic regulation of striatal spiny projection neuron excitability-accepted in PLOS Biology-Under preparation for going online in January 2024
Progressive disruption of intrastriatal GABAergic circuitry in parkinsonism-under writing for submission
The background sodium leak channel NALCN is a major controlling factor in pituitary cell excitability- accepted in the Journal of Physiology-Under preparation to go online in February 2024
Background Na+ and K+ conductance tune pituitary cell excitability- Under review in the Journal of Physiology
Hobbies and Interests
- Painting
- Digital photography
- Sports (basketball, swimming, Skating, Tennis)
Confrences
Annual Research Event, Torquay, UK, How do leak channels control the dynamic activity of endocrine pituitary cells; May 2017
British Society of Neuroendocrinology conference, Nottingham UK, How do leak channels control the dynamic activity of endocrine pituitary cells; Sep 2017
Annual Research Event, Torquay, UK, Feb 2018
Biodynamic conference, London, UK, April 2018
International conference of Neuroendocrinology (ICN), Toronto, Canada, July 2018
Brain Awareness event, Exeter, UK, March 2019
Chronobiology conference-Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), Barcelona, Spain, June 2019
Annual Research Event, Penryn, UK, July 2019
Clockclub, University of Cambridge, UK, Sep 2019
Timeline
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Neuroscientist)
Northwestern University, Feinberg School Of Medicine
03.2021 - Current
Graduate researcher
University of Exeter
01.2016 - 03.2021
MSc researcher
University of Bradford
09.2015 - 09.2016
PhD in Medical Science, Neuroendocrinology -
University of Exeter
MSc in Biomedical Science -
University of Bradford
BSc in Cell And Molecular Biology -
Shiraz University
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