As an undergraduate in Computer Engineering at the University of Science and Culture in Iran, I conducted research in Artificial Neural Networks, which was awarded the Best Undergraduate Thesis Award of 2006. This success persuaded me to study Robotics and Computational Neuroscience for my master’s degree. In January 2008, I immigrated to the United States and entered a Master’s program in computer science at the University of Southern California. During this time, I studied robotics and computational modeling of the brain in Prof. Arbib’s lab, with proposing and developing a computational model which described how emotions affect decision-making. This research experience helped me realize my true passion for neuroscience and neuroimaging.

I devoted the years since the M.S. to acquiring a range of lab skills in experimental neuroscience and brain imaging to better equip myself for a Ph.D. and then a career in neuroscience. First, I worked in two neuroscience labs at UCLA using EEG (electroencephalogram) to study brain hemispheres’ functional connectivity. Based on my research interest in brain imaging, in March 2011 I moved to Nashville, TN, and started working at the Vanderbilt University Psychiatric Neuroimaging Program. Interestingly, my strong background in quantitative sciences, engineering and programming had significantly equipped me for the use of brain imaging methods in neuroscience research. This was a highly productive research period, let me take the lead on 6 projects in two separate labs, using brain imaging methods (MRI, DTI, and EEG) to study brain activity and functional and structural connectivity in healthy humans and patients with schizophrenia, autism and depression. The results of these projects were presented by me at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Biological Psychiatry, and International Congress on Schizophrenia Research in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and also published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, and Psychological Medicine.

This extensive experience in neuroscience research, conference presentations and journal publications positioned me well to compete for a top PhD program in neuroscience for the fall 2014. The past six years of research experience had enhanced my research skills, expanded my knowledge, and broadened my horizon in neuroscience. I was then passionate to explore one topic in greater depth that can make an impact on the well-being of individuals with disabilities. More specifically, I gained a strong interest in research on movement disorders and rehabilitation sciences since I believe that this will have the greatest impact on people’s lives.

Being admitted to 5 top graduate schools, I chose to come to Northwestern University in Chicago since it has an outstanding Neuroscience PhD Program with a specialization track in Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences. Starting my PhD in fall 2014, I am now the most passionate to use my knowledge in both robotics and brain imaging to investigate movement disorders and develop novel neurotherapeutic tools for patients with stroke. I believe my previous experiences in robotics and brain imaging have nicely met together here to position me well to fulfill my aspirations. My goal is to combine my math, computer and brain sciences skills to make a significant impact on the development of science-based new technologies for the assessment and treatment of movement impairments following neural injuries that impact our aging population in the US. Your support will certainly allow me to embark on this exciting journey.