Rofyontsa F Shanti

Professional researcher with strong background in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Adept at leveraging advanced methodologies to drive impactful research outcomes. Known for fostering team collaboration and adapting to evolving project requirements. Skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis, report writing, and critical thinking, ensuring reliable and actionable insights.

Understanding Action Control Through Neuromodulation and Neurophysiology | Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (KSCIRC) | Louisville  KY, 02/28/25 

Neurosurgery Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee | Committee Member| 02/01/23- 1/28/24 | Collaborate with colleagues to promote diversity and inclusivity in neurosurgical practice, education, and research., Develop and implement initiatives to address disparities and enhance diversity within the field.

Education and Outreach Committee | Committee Member | 02/01/23-Current | Collaborate with colleagues to advance neurosurgical education and outreach by promoting diverse perspectives and inclusive learning environments. Develop and implement initiatives that address disparities in access to neurosurgical education, mentorship, and professional development, ensuring broader engagement within the field.

• Travel Grant, Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS), 2024
• Travel Grant, Graduate Student Association (GSA), 2024

• Louisville Women in Medicine & Science |Member | 2024- Present | Involved with L-WIMS through supporting the recognition of women researchers and mentoring fellow women students.
• Neuroscience and Anatomical Sciences Student Association (NASSA) | Member | 2023- Present |
• Neuroscience and Anatomical Sciences Student Association (NASSA) | Vice President | Fall 2025- Present | Lead initiatives to support student engagement, professional development, and academic success.

• Pallidal Recordings in PD Patients Indicate a Correlation Between Neurophysiology and Behavior During Motor Conflict, American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Nashville, TN, 06/01/24, Jessica Bowersock, PhD., Rofyontsa Shanti, Travis Stewart, MSc., Ahmad Alhourani, MD., Ajmal Zemmar, MD., Scott Wylie, PhD., Joseph Neimat, MD., Nelleke van Wouwe, PhD.,
• CFos expression after spinal cord stimulation: approach for immunohistochemical analysis., Society For Neuroscience [SFN], Chicago, IL, 10/05/24, O'Sullivan, C.L., Tyreman, N., Shanti, R.F., O'Steen, W.A., Mirkiani, S., Birtle, M., Boakye, M., Howland, D.R., Mushahwar, V.K.,
• Corticostriatal Networks Associated with Phonemic Fluency Decline After Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease, UofL Summer Research Symposium, Louisville, KY, 07/26/24, Taylor Childress, Courtney Shepard, Ph.D., Alexander Alley, M.S., Rofyontsa Shanti, Travis Stewart, M.Sc., Ajmal Zemmar, M.D., Peter Hedera, M.D., Robert Underwood, Ph.D., Victoria Holiday, M.D., Nelleke Van Wouwe, Ph.D., Joseph Neimat, M.D.
• Neurophysiological comparison of the STN and GPi during action conflict task, Society For Neuroscience [SFN], Chicago, IL, 10/05/24, Jessica Bowersock, Ph.D., Rofyontsa Shanti, B.S., Travis Stewart, M.Sc., Ajmal Zemmar, M.D., Joseph Neimat, M.D., Nelleke van Wouwe, Ph.D.
• Decoding Conflict Processing in the GPi: Insights from Single-Unit Recordings, 33rd Annual Neuroscience Day, Louisville, KY, 04/10/25, Rofyontsa Shanti, B.S., Jessica Bowersock, Ph.D., Travis Stewart, M.Sc., Kelly Gartner, Peter Hedera, M.D., Joseph Neimat, M.D., Nelleke van Wouwe, Ph.D.

• University of Louisville School of Medicine, Anatomical Science and Neurobiology
• University of Louisville School of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery

• First Aid Certification

-  Pallidal Recordings in PD Patients Indicate a Correlation Between Neurophysiology and Behavior During Motor Conflict

American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery | Nashville, TN |

| June 1-4, 2024, |

·  Authors: Jessica Bowersock, PhD., Rofyontsa Shanti, Travis Stewart, MSc., Ahmad Alhourani, MD., Ajmal Zemmar, MD., Scott Wylie, PhD., Joseph Neimat, MD., Nelleke van Wouwe, PhD.

·  Description/Significance:

• This study explores the globus pallidus internus (GPi) beyond its motor functions, examining its role in inhibitory action control. Intraoperative recordings from Parkinson’s patients undergoing deep brain stimulation revealed no significant theta activity during motor conflict but suggested a role for beta activity in conflict resolution. These findings expand the understanding of GPi’s cognitive involvement and its potential therapeutic implications.

-  Corticostriatal Networks Associated with Phonemic Fluency Decline After Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease

UofL Summer Research Symposium  | Louisville, KY|

| July 26, 2024, |

·  Authors: Taylor Childress, Courtney Shepard, Ph.D., Alexander Alley, M.S., Rofyontsa Shanti, Travis Stewart, M.Sc., Ajmal Zemmar, M.D., Peter Hedera, M.D., Robert Underwood, Ph.D., Victoria Holiday, M.D., Nelleke Van Wouwe, Ph.D., Joseph Neimat, M.D.

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus internus (GPi) effectively alleviates symptoms but frequently causes phonemic verbal fluency decline, impacting quality of life. While both STN and GPi DBS result in similar declines, the effect is statistically significant in the STN group. Negative fiber tracts associated with motor regions correlate with greater motor benefit but also greater fluency decline, while positive fiber tracts suggest that right frontal area stimulation may help mitigate this decline, offering potential clinical benefits.

-  Decoding Conflict Processing in the GPi: Insights from Single-Unit Recordings

33rs Annual Neuroscience Day | Louisville, KY|

| April 10, 2025|

·  Authors: Rofyontsa Shanti, B.S., Jessica Bowersock, Ph.D., Travis Stewart, M.Sc., Kelly Gartner, Peter Hedera, M.D., Joseph Neimat, M.D., Nelleke van Wouwe, Ph.D.¹

• This study investigates the role of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) in conflict processing and response adjustments in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients using intraoperative single-unit recordings during the Simon task. Two hypotheses are tested: whether GPi firing increases during conflict trials to heighten inhibition or if it remains unchanged but increases post-response for motor adaptation. Preliminary data show variability in GPi firing across trials, with some neurons differentiating conflict from non-conflict trials, but no consistent pattern has emerged. Further statistical analysis is needed to clarify GPi’s role, which may refine deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting and improve understanding of cognitive-motor interactions.

-  cFos expression after spinal cord stimulation: approach for immunohistochemical analysis.

Society For Neuroscience [SFN] | Chicago, IL |

| October 5-9, 2024, |

·  Authors: O'Sullivan, C.L., Tyreman, N., Shanti, R.F., O'Steen, W.A., Mirkiani, S., Birtle, M., Boakye, M., Howland, D.R., Mushahwar, V.K.

• This poster presents a study on the impact of different anesthesia types on neural activity induced by spinal cord stimulation, providing a protocol for future research utilizing c-Fos.

-  Neurophysiological comparison of the STN and GPi during action conflict task

Society For Neuroscience [SFN] | Chicago, IL |

| October 5-9, 2024, |

·  Authors: Jessica Bowersock, Ph.D., Rofyontsa Shanti, B.S., Travis Stewart, M.Sc., Ajmal Zemmar, M.D., Joseph Neimat, M.D., Nelleke van Wouwe, Ph.D.¹

• This study compares neural activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). Using intraoperative recordings during the Simon task, theta band oscillations were analyzed to assess conflict processing. While behavioral outcomes were similar between groups, only the STN showed significant conflict-related theta modulation, suggesting that conflict processing occurs upstream in the STN and is not propagated to the GPi, which primarily conveys motor intent. These findings highlight the STN’s unique role in cognitive control.