Aamylah Nadeem
aamylahn@gmail.com
nadeem803@agnesscott.edu
470-213-8783
About Me
Hello! My name is Aamylah Nadeem and I am currently a student at Agnes Scott College. I plan on graduating in May '26 with a bachelor of science in Neuroscience. I enjoy reading and understanding neuronal communication, specifically neurotransmitter release and how that can affect behavior. My curiosity about the brain started at a young age and has driven me to explore various aspects of neuroscience through both coursework and research. I have done behavioral testing with crayfish and mice as part of my required labs. I studied their physiological and behavioral responses to different stimuli. This work has taught me valuable skills in experimental design, data analysis, and public speaking through presenting my research at campus-wide symposiums. I am committed to pursuing a PhD and aim to contribute meaningful research in the realm of affective neuroscience. Research is very important when learning and understanding the human body. I want to be involved in researching it. I am a hard worker with any project that I am given and will work my hardest.
I’m excited to continue learning, collaborating, and growing in the field of neuroscience. Feel free to connect with me if you'd like to discuss research ideas, neuroscience topics, or future opportunities!
Scientific Writing
Research Experience
Molecular Poster: Investigating How SHANK3B Heterozygote Impacts LAMP1 Protein Expression in Mouse Brain
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that can affect behavior, social interactions, and speech. The current causal theory of autism is a multi genetic impact combined with environmental factors. One contributing factor can be abnormal elevations of LAMP1 mRNA and protein in blood cells. It is possible that it can influence the development of ASD through its involvement in immune cell activity regulation. LAMP1 is a protein in the lysosomes where it maintains the integrity of lysosomes, pH stability and the function of proteases which are the enzymes that initially break down the protein. They also protect membranes of lysosomes from the degradation of the lysosomal hydrolases that can preserve the function of the lysosomes so keeping the protection intact for the membrane. LAMP1 has also been found within the protein mRNA of the blood of children diagnosed with ASD and this has also helped researchers with an early detection of ASD due to the involvement in immune cell activity regulation. Shank3b is a gene necessary for proper neuronal development. It interacts with approximately 30 synaptic proteins including cell adhesion proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, and ionotropic/metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). It has an important role in excitatory synaptic connections, usually decreasing the excitation because of Shank3b's derogatory effect on dendritic spine density. For this experiment, we focused on the impact of Shank3b on our protein of interest, LAMP1, and noted any changes within the endosomal pathway post-manipulation. WB was used to compare and identify the protein levels within Shank3b and LAMP1 and look at their protein density to figure out the altercation in autism.
Neuroscience poster #1: The Effects of Prolonged Exposure to Glyphosate on the Neurological Functions of Crayfish When Placed in a Light Dark Maze
Glyphosate is a common chemical used in herbicides and has now grown to be the most used herbicide worldwide. However, even with its widespread use, the knowledge about the effects that it can have on the nervous system of aquatic animals are minimal. Glyphosate has been noted to have an effect on the neurotoxicity, physiology and behavioral aspects of a crayfish. Our experiment examined how the prolonged exposure to glyphosate can affect the neurological function of crayfish We hypothesize that the crayfish in the glyphosate will demonstrate higher levels of anxiety behavior in the maze when compared to the controlled groups. This was accomplished by leaving the crayfish in one of two concentration for 3 weeks and testing the amount of time that they spent in light and dark zones of a light and dark maze. The results did not support our hypothesis as the trend shows that as time went on the crayfish spent more time in the dark then the light. However there was a trend where the longer the crayfish were exposed to the glyphosate the more time they spent in the light, leading to the idea that if the experiment went on for a longer period of time there could be an effect.
Neuroscience poster #2: Effects of Smelling Water on Depressive-Like Behavior in a Mice model
Mice rely heavily on smell in order to avoid predators, identify food sources, and communicate with other mice. Previous studies showed that olfactory deficiencies resulted in anxiolytic symptoms in mice. Female C57B6 mice will be exposed to conditions where a concentrated sugar soaked cotton ball is placed in an unreachable location in order to see if the presence of desirable food smells may impact depressive-like and anxiolytic-like behaviors. The behavior of mice exposed to the smell will be compared to mice exposed to a water-soaked cotton ball to determine differences in behavior. Experimental results show that there was only significance in number of fecal boli between experimental and control mice. Otherwise, there was no significant difference in Forced Swim Test or Open Field Test results.
