Avi Adhikari,
Associate Professor of Psychology (K99 and R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health, R01 from the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NARSAD award, Berry and Hellman Foundations awardee).
Avi completed his Bachelor in Science degree at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, majoring in chemistry and biochemistry and won the Antoine Lavoisier award for highest grades in the graduating class. He then obtained his Ph.D at Columbia University with Profs. Josh Gordon and Rene Hen in 2011, and then worked as a postdoctoral researcher with Prof. Karl Deisseroth at Stanford University until 2016. Avi joined the Department of Psychology at UCLA in 2017 to study how the brain controls fear and food-seeking. Avi’s hobbies include playing guitar, eating seafood and painting. C.V., GoogleScholar, pubmed, avi@psych.ucla.edu
Fernando M. C. V. Reis,
Assistant Project Scientist (Two-time NARSAD award winner, Friends of Semel Award, NIH-NIDDK/UCLA Lift-Up award).
After obtaining his PhD at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, in 2015, he joined Prof. Newton Canteras’ Lab (USP, São Paulo) as a postdoc with the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) scholarship. He is presently a postdoc in Dr. Adhikari´s Lab at UCLA studying the neural systems and mechanisms underlying fear and defensive responses. He likes to play guitar during his free time.
Huan Zhao,
Postdoctoral Researcher
Huan received her B.S. in Educational Technology from East China Normal University. She then pursued her Ph.D. in Yufeng Pan’s lab at Southeast University, where she studied the social modulation of innate behaviors in Drosophila. In 2024, she earned her Ph.D. and joined Dr. Adhikari’s lab at UCLA as a postdoc. Now she is investigating the neural mechanisms underlying feeding, hunting, and other defensive behaviors. Outside the lab, Huan enjoys spending time at the beach—she loves swimming, surfing, and all kinds of water sports.
Anita Torossian,
PhD Student (NIH F31 Awardee)
Anita received her B.A. in neuroscience and psychology from CUNY Queens College in 2017. Afterwards, she conducted post-baccalaureate research at the NIH where she examined brain protein synthesis in mouse models of autism-like disorders. In the Adhikari Lab, she is investigating the neural circuits underlying fear, anxiety, and other defensive responses. In her free time, Anita enjoys playing piano and eating anything sweet.
Blake Alec Miranda,
PhD Student (Cota Robles Award, NSF GRFP award, F31 fellowship (declined))
Blake earned his B.S in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Neuroscience from UC Irvine in 2018. He then joined the UCI Translational Neuroscience Laboratory under Dr. Michael Yassa, where he studied Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in high-risk older adults using fMRI. In the Adhikari Lab, he is investigating how discrete midbrain neurons control complex behavioral responses to threat and prey. When not in the lab, he creates digital art, runs a freelance science communication business, and practices piano for an hour every day.
Nitish Patel,
PhD Student (Graduate Dean Scholar Award, UCLA GSR and GSRM Awards)
Nitish received his B.S. in neuroscience from UCLA in 2023, where he worked in Dr. Michael Fanselow’s lab
studying both the molecular and behavioral components of fear learning. Currently in the Adhikari Lab, he is using optogenetics and fiber photometry to explore how specific neurons in the midbrain drive distinct feeding behaviors. Outside of the lab, Nitish loves playing soccer, riding his longboard, and trying out new recipes.
Anita Liu,
Masters Student
Anita received her B.S. in Physiological Science and Neuroscience from UCLA in 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she worked in Dr. Michael Fanselow’s lab investigating the sex differences in fear learning. Currently, in the Adhikari Lab, she is studying the midbrain circuits underlying feeding behaviors. In her free time, Anita enjoys playing the guitar and ukulele.
Milena Mnatsakanyan,
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Milena is earning her B.S. in Psychobiology from UCLA, where she has conducted research in a neuroimmunology lab investigating the role of T- cells in the progression of multiple sclerosis. Her work focused on understanding how immune responses contribute to neurodegeneration and demyelination in the central nervous system. She currently works in the Adhikari Lab, where she studies how neural circuits in the brain drive instinctive behaviors like hunting and food seeking in mice. Her research explores how activity in specific brain pathways influences decision-making and motor coordination during goal-directed behavior. Outside the lab, Milena performs traditional Armenian dance, enjoys Broadway musicals, and expresses her creativity through visual and performing arts
Hillary Leeds,
Undergraduate Research Volunteer
Hillary is earning her B.S. in Psychobiology at UCLA. Throughout her education she has developed a passion for neuroscience, particularly after taking a class with Dr. Adhikari! She joined the Adhikari lab to further explore neural circuits and is currently researching how midbrain structures and neurons control feeding behavior. In her free time she likes to decorate cakes and play picklebal
