As a researcher, I am most interested in the role of environmental and lifestyle factors affecting brain health and the development of neurodegenerative diseases. You can find highlights of my work below. For more information, please see my Google Scholar page.

Highlights

Distinguished Neuroscientist and Brain Health Expert: Over 20 years of research and consulting experience in neurodegenerative diseases and environmental impacts on brain health.

Accomplished Innovator and Strategic Leader in Neuroscience: Spearheaded initiatives like EcoNeuro, the International Neuro Climate Working Group, and the Neurodegeneration Challenge Network at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Global Advisory Board Member: Influential role in shaping research and policy through advisory positions in various global organizations, enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration across academia, industry, and public sectors.

Prominent Media Contributor: Recognized expert on climate change and brain health, featured in radio shows, podcasts, and articles, reaching an audience of over 100,000 as a science writer and communicator.

Advocate for Diversity and Inclusivity in STEM: Passionately supports science education and career opportunities for underrepresented communities, actively promoting diversity initiatives within the scientific and academic communities.

Leadership and Advisory Experience

Founder and Chair, the International Neuro Climate Working Group, Los Angeles, CA          

I lead a global initiative that connects neuroscientists and neurologists to understand how climate change affects brain health. My responsibilities include organizing and leading monthly meetings to foster international collaboration, driving research to broaden our understanding of climate change's impact on neurological and mental health, and disseminating our findings to the scientific community and the public. I'm also deeply involved in public engagement and policy advocacy, working to integrate our research into public health strategies.

Advisory Board Member, Climate Cares Centre, Imperial College London, UK

I contribute my expertise in neuroscience to a multidisciplinary team dedicated to exploring the intersection of mental health and climate change. My role involves guiding research directions, shaping educational content, and helping to formulate policy recommendations that address the psychological impacts of climate change.

Metabolic Psychiatry Advisory Board Member, Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition, Canada

I am involved with the writing of a white paper and the development of an advanced training program for clinicians to include therapeutic nutrition and metabolic therapies as safe and effective treatment options for their patients with mental illnesses.

Science Advisory Board Member, Climate Clinic, Yuvam Dunya, Turkey               

Yuvam Dunya is a non-profit organization that addresses climate change through social and educational transformation. I advise the organization’s Climate Clinic initiative, which aims to integrate climate change education into the medical school curriculum. I support the organization’s training, research, and science communication efforts. 

Scientific Advisor, Metabolic Mind, San Mateo, CA            

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit organization working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. I advise the team on the creation of evidence-based scientific and educational content.

Peer-Reviewed Research Articles

Mishra V, Re DB, Le Verce V, Alvarez MJ, Vasciaveo A, Jacquier A, Doulias PT, Greco TM, Nizzardo M, Papadimitriou D, Nagata T, Rinchetti P, Perez-Torres EJ, Politi KA, Ikiz B, Clare K, Than ME, Corti S, Ischiropoulos H, Lotti F, Califano A, Przedborski S; Systematic elucidation of neuron-astrocyte interaction in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using multi-modal integrated bioinformatics workflow; Nature Communications. 2020 Nov 4; 11: 5579.

Atanasio A, Decman V, White D, Ramos M, Ikiz B, Lee HC, Siao CJ, Brydges S, LaRosa E, Bai Y, Fury W, Burfeind P, Zamfirova R, Warshaw G, Orengo J, Oyejide A, Fralish M, Auerbach W, Poueymirou W, Freudenberg J, Gong G, Zambrowicz B, Valenzuela D, Yancopoulos G, Murphy A, Thurston G, Lai KM; C9orf72 ablation causes immune dysregulation characterized by leukocyte expansion, autoantibody production, and glomerulonephropathy in mice; Scientific Reports. 2016 Mar 16; 6:23204.

Ikiz B, Alvarez MJ, Ré DB, Le Verche V, Politi K, Lotti F, Phani S, Pradhan R, Yu C, Croft GF, Jacquier A, Henderson CE, Califano A, Przedborski S; The Regulatory Machinery of Neurodegeneration in In Vitro Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Cell Reports. 2015 Jul 14; 12(2):335-45.

Re DB, Le Verche V, Yu C, Amoroso MW, Politi KA, Phani S, Ikiz B, Hoffmann L, Koolen M, Nagata T, Papadimitriou D, Nagy P, Mitsumoto H, Kariya S, Wichterle H, Henderson CE, Przedborski S; Necroptosis drives motor neuron death in models of both sporadic and familial ALS; Neuron. 2014 Mar 5; 81(5):1001-8.

Le Verche V, Ikiz B, Jacquier A, Przedborski S, Re DB; Glutamate pathway implication in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: what is the signal in the noise?; Journal of Receptor, Ligand and Channel Research. 2010 Dec; 4:1-22.

Papadimitriou D, Le Verche V, Jacquier A, Ikiz B, Przedborski S, Re DB; Inflammation in ALS and SMA: Sorting out the good from the evil; Neurobiology of Disease. 2010 Mar; 37(3):493-502.

Ikiz B, Przedborski S; A sequel to the tale of p25/Cdk5 in neurodegeneration; Neuron. 2008 Dec 10; 60(5):731-2.

Patents

Ikiz B, LaCroix-Fralish ML, Croll SD. “Non-human animal exhibiting diminished upper and lower motor neuron function and sensory perception,” US Patent 10,285,387, issued on May 14, 2019.

Atanasio A, Ikiz B, Gong G, LaCroix-Fralish ML, Lai VK, Valenzuela DM “Non-human animals having a disruption in a C9ORF72 locus,” US Patent 11,547,101, issued on Jan. 10, 2023.

Fellowships, Grants, and Awards

Inaugural Writer Fellow, On Deck

Brunie Prize for Stem Cell Research, Columbia University

Dean’s Fellow, Columbia University

Summer Student Research Fellow, EPFL, Lausanne               

Vice Provost Undergraduate Education Grant, Stanford University    

Undergraduate Research Program Major Grant, Stanford University   

Professional Certificates

Data Journalism, Google

Science Communications & Policy Workshop, Reclaiming STEM

Science Writing Bootcamp, SoCal Science Writers

Scientists Teaching Science, The New York Academy of Sciences

Science Ambassador, The New York Academy of Sciences

Professional Affiliations

Union of Concerned Scientists Network

National Association of Science Writers

Women in Bio

500 Women Scientists

SoCal Science Writers

New York Academy of Sciences