Rama Alsakaji is a neuroscience researcher driven by a desire to uncover the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related psychiatric conditions. With a background in neuroscience and psychology from Indiana University and advanced coursework in medical neuroscience at Michigan State University, Alsakaji brings a multidimensional perspective to questions at the intersection of genetics, brain development, and behavior.
Her early research experiences reflect a deep commitment to translational neuroscience. At Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, she worked in Dr. Sandra Kletzel’s lab investigating cognitive interventions for veterans with Parkinson’s Disease, including rTMS and computerized cognitive training. Her contributions to multiple projects have led to publications in Neurology, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and other peer-reviewed outlets. She later joined Dr. Kenneth Kwan’s lab at the University of Michigan, where she explored how autism-associated genes shape neocortical circuit formation using knockout mouse models.
Alsakaji’s academic journey began with a senior capstone focused on anxiety behaviors and cortisol responses in zebrafish, using the Ayurvedic herb Withania somnifera. This early interest in the biological basis of behavior has since evolved into a focused pursuit of understanding genotype-phenotype relationships and the shared genetic underpinnings of ASD, anxiety, and stress-related disorders.
At the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Alsakaji is pursuing her PhD in Biomedical Sciences to engage in cutting-edge research within the Developmental Neurobiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology programs. She is excited to collaborate with a community of innovative scientists and to contribute to discoveries that improve our understanding—and treatment—of neurodevelopmental conditions.
Rama Alsakaji is a neuroscience researcher driven by a desire to uncover the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related psychiatric conditions. With a background in neuroscience and psychology from Indiana University and advanced coursework in medical neuroscience at Michigan State University, Alsakaji brings a multidimensional perspective to questions at the intersection of genetics, brain development, and behavior.
Her early research experiences reflect a deep commitment to translational neuroscience. At Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, she worked in Dr. Sandra Kletzel’s lab investigating cognitive interventions for veterans with Parkinson’s Disease, including rTMS and computerized cognitive training. Her contributions to multiple projects have led to publications in Neurology, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and other peer-reviewed outlets. She later joined Dr. Kenneth Kwan’s lab at the University of Michigan, where she explored how autism-associated genes shape neocortical circuit formation using knockout mouse models.
Alsakaji’s academic journey began with a senior capstone focused on anxiety behaviors and cortisol responses in zebrafish, using the Ayurvedic herb Withania somnifera. This early interest in the biological basis of behavior has since evolved into a focused pursuit of understanding genotype-phenotype relationships and the shared genetic underpinnings of ASD, anxiety, and stress-related disorders.
At the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Alsakaji is pursuing her PhD in Biomedical Sciences to engage in cutting-edge research within the Developmental Neurobiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology programs. She is excited to collaborate with a community of innovative scientists and to contribute to discoveries that improve our understanding—and treatment—of neurodevelopmental conditions.
Hometown: Munster, IN
Education:
2024 - Graduate Certificate, Medical Neuroscience – Michigan State University
2020 - BS, Neuroscience; Psychology – Indiana University
Awards/Honors/Scholarships:
2020 - Dean’s List
Publications:
Umbarger A, Kletzel S, McReavy B, Walker S, Shah M, Alsakaji R, Colletta K (2024). Effects of Prefrontal Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Executive Function in Veterans with Parkinson’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Neurology, 102(17). https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000206644
Walker S, Colletta K, Devos H, Gaynes B, Ellison R. L., Alsakaji R, Watters K, Todfield A, Chawla J, & Kletzel S (2023). A Patient’s Guide to Visual Perception Changes that Occur with Parkinson’s Disease. Informational/Educational Page (I/EP) for Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2022.09.023
Alsakaji R, Jones S, Ibik O, Colletta K, Livengood S, Bender-Pape T, Kletzel S (2021). Working memory deficits related to brain atrophy in early stage Parkinson’s Disease. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 102(10), E38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr. 2021.07.572