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Dr. Fatin Atrooz | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral fellow at University of Houston, United States

Dr. Fatin Y. Atrooz is a dedicated researcher and educator with expertise in behavioral neuroscience, substance use disorders, and minority health disparities. Currently, she serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Houston, College of Pharmacy and an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Houston Downtown. Her research focuses on identifying the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance addiction, stress, and mental health disorders. With over two decades of experience in neuroscience, genetics, and public health research, Dr. Atrooz has contributed significantly to her field through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and editorial roles. She has also been actively involved in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, mentoring students, and participating in professional development programs. Her passion for scientific discovery and education continues to drive her research aimed at addressing critical public health challenges, particularly in underserved populations.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Atrooz holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience (2018) from the University of Houston, College of Pharmacy, where she investigated the behavioral and biochemical effects of early-life sleep deprivation in rodents. She earned her Master of Science in Biology (Genetics, 1999) and Bachelor of Science in Biology (1996) from Yarmouk University, Jordan. Her master’s research focused on the antimutagenic effects of Coumarin on chromosomal damage induced by pharmaceutical agents. In addition, she completed a Harvard Catalyst certification in Applied Biostatistics, equipping her with advanced data analysis skills in SPSS, R, and GraphPad Prism. Her multidisciplinary education has enabled her to integrate molecular biology, neuroscience, and statistical modeling to advance understanding in addiction research and mental health disparities.

Professional Experience

Dr. Atrooz is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Houston, where she conducts research on substance use, addiction, and neurobehavioral disorders. She is also an Adjunct Faculty at University of Houston Downtown, teaching Genetics and Human Anatomy & Physiology. Previously, she worked as a Senior Cytogenetics Lab Technologist (2001-2009) at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan, specializing in chromosomal analysis and molecular diagnostics. She also served as a Research Assistant at Yarmouk University and later at the University of Houston, gaining hands-on experience in rodent behavioral neuroscience, stereotaxic surgery, and neuropharmacology. Her extensive experience in both academic and clinical settings has provided her with a unique perspective on translational research, bridging laboratory findings with real-world health applications.

Research Interests

Dr. Atrooz’s research focuses on behavioral neuroscience, addiction, and minority health disparities. She investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying stress, addiction, and mental health disorders, with a particular interest in substance use among minority populations. Her work involves rodent models of addiction, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology to explore how early-life stress and environmental factors contribute to addiction vulnerability. Additionally, she conducts public health research on mental health disparities among immigrant and refugee populations, examining social determinants of health and substance use patterns. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, genetics, and public health, aiming to develop targeted interventions to improve mental health outcomes in underserved communities.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Atrooz has received numerous awards for her contributions to research and academia. She was awarded the prestigious 2023 NIDA Diversity Scholars Network Program Award, recognizing her work in addiction research. She also received the 2023 Research Centers for Minority Institutions (RCMI) Professional Development Fellowship and 2021 Postdoctoral Fellow Travel Award from the University of Houston. Her excellence in research was recognized with the 2019 Best Oral Presentation Award (Postdoctoral Category) at the University of Houston and the 2019 Excellent Paper Award at the International Conference on Science, Technology, and Management (ICSTM) in Dubai. Additionally, she was selected for the 2016 Future Fellow-to-Faculty Award, highlighting her potential as a leading researcher and educator. Her continuous dedication to research, mentorship, and public health has solidified her reputation as a distinguished scholar in her field.

Conclusion

Dr. Fatin Y. Atrooz is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given her diverse research expertise, strong publication record, multiple awards, and commitment to minority health research. Strengthening grant acquisition, independent research leadership, and high-impact publications would further solidify her as a top-tier researcher in her field.

Publications Top Noted

  • Atrooz, F., Khabour, O.F., Almomani, F., Alfurjani, B.H., Salim, S. (2024)
    Title: Education and socioeconomic status as predictors of refugee mental health: insights from a study of Jordan-based Syrian refugee sample
    Journal: Frontiers in Public Health
    Citations: 0
  • Li, Y., Zhang, S., Tang, C., Salim, S., Wu, T. (2024)
    Title: Autoimmune and neuropsychiatric phenotypes in a Mecp2 transgenic mouse model on C57BL/6 background
    Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
    Citations: 1
  • Atrooz, F., Majd, Z., Alrousan, G., Abughosh, S., Salim, S. (2023)
    Title: Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Houston residents
    Journal: PLOS Global Public Health
    Citations: 1
  • Atrooz, F., Aljararwah, S.M., Chen, T.A., Khabour, O.F., Salim, S. (2023)
    Title: Understanding Mental Health Status of Syrian Refugee and Jordanian Women: Novel Insights from a Comparative Study
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Citations: 10
  • Atrooz, F., Aljararwah, S.M., Acquati, C., Khabour, O.F., Salim, S. (2023)
    Title: Breast Cancer Beliefs and Screening Practices among Syrian Refugee Women and Jordanian Women
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Citations: 1
  • Zeidat, S., Fatima, B., Yazdanfard, S., Abughosh, S., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Houston-Based Middle Eastern and North African Residents
    Journal: Hygiene
    Citations: 1
  • Bian, W.-J., Atrooz, F., Patel, S., Rababa’h, A.M. (2022)
    Title: Editorial: Sleep Deprivation, Circadian Misalignment and Addiction Vulnerability in Adolescents
    Journal: Frontiers in Neuroscience
    Citations: 0
  • Alrousan, G., Hassan, A., Pillai, A.A., Atrooz, F., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Early Life Sleep Deprivation and Brain Development: Insights From Human and Animal Studies
    Journal: Frontiers in Neuroscience
    Citations: 15
  • Atrooz, F., Alrousan, G., Hassan, A., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Early-Life Sleep Deprivation Enhanced Alcohol Consumption in Adolescent Rats
    Journal: Frontiers in Neuroscience
    Citations: 7
  • Atrooz, F., Chen, T.A., Biekman, B., Bick, J., Salim, S. (2022)
    Title: Displacement and Isolation: Insights from a Mental Stress Survey of Syrian Refugees in Houston, Texas, USA
    Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    Citations: 11

 

Fatin Atrooz | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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