From NSU to Neuroscience: My Journey into Alzheimer’s Research and the Road to a Ph.D.
Location
Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation; Orbit 2
Start Date
7-1-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
7-1-2026 12:50 PM
Description
Choosing a career path after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology can bring both excitement and uncertainty, especially for students deciding between medical school and academia or research. In this talk, NSU alumna Juliet Akkaoui will share her journey of making that choice and building a career as a biomedical scientist.
Juliet graduated from NSU with a B.S. in Biology in 2018, initially uncertain whether to pursue medical school or a research-focused path. She decided to continue her academic training with an M.S. in Biological Sciences – Health Studies at NSU, graduating in 2019. During this time, she accepted a research position under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandru Movila at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine. Her work examined how aging impacts intracellular ceramide-mediated periodontal bone lesions, providing her first experience with research. This experience, funded by the NIH/NIDCR, not only refined her technical skills but also sparked her passion for investigating the biological processes underlying age-related diseases.
Motivated by a desire to address the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in biomedical research and to become an independent investigator, Juliet entered the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Science at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Under the guidance of Dr. Madepalli K. Lakshmana, her research focuses on uncovering the role of novel genetic risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Specifically, she studies how these genes contribute to neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive decline using cell culture models, transgenic mice, molecular biology techniques, and behavioral testing. Her long-term goal is to translate these findings into strategies for prevention and treatment.
In this presentation, Juliet will discuss how her time at NSU prepared her for the challenges of graduate school and the career decision-making process, as well as highlight the value of research careers. She will share practical advice on finding research opportunities, applying to graduate programs, and building professional networks. She will also convey key insights into AD research from the molecular mechanisms that drive pathology to the experimental approaches used to study them.
For pre-med and aspiring biomedical students alike, this talk offers a realistic and encouraging perspective on the life of a doctoral researcher, navigating post-graduation choices and building a career in science.
About the Presenter
Juliet Akkaoui is a biomedical researcher with a strong foundation in biological sciences and a deep commitment to advancing diversity in the scientific community. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2018, followed by a Master of Science in Biological Sciences – Health Studies in 2019. After completing her graduate studies, Juliet accepted a research position under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandru Movila at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine. There, she investigated the impact of aging on intracellular ceramide-mediated periodontal bone lesions, a project funded by the NIH/NIDCR. This work not only strengthened her technical expertise in biomedical research but also deepened her interest in the complex interplay between aging, inflammation, and disease. Motivated by a passion for mentorship and a desire to address the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the sciences, Juliet set her sights on becoming a competitive and independent investigator. In pursuit of this goal, she joined the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Science at Florida International University’s (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, where Dr. Madepalli K. Lakshmana mentors her.
Juliet’s current research centers on uncovering the role of novel genetic risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Using advanced molecular, cellular, and in vivo models, she investigates how these genes contribute to neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Her work aims to bridge the gap between genetic discoveries and therapeutic interventions, with the ultimate goal of informing strategies for prevention and treatment. Throughout her career, Juliet has presented her findings at national and international conferences, received competitive fellowships, and collaborated on multidisciplinary projects spanning neuroscience, aging, and oral health. Her dedication to rigorous scientific inquiry is matched by her commitment to mentorship, outreach, and fostering diversity within STEM fields. With unwavering determination and a vision for impactful science, Juliet strives to contribute to breakthroughs that will transform the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. She hopes her journey will inspire the next generation of scientists—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to pursue research careers with confidence and purpose.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/juliet.akkaoui.1/bibliography/public/ https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_alumni/168/
From NSU to Neuroscience: My Journey into Alzheimer’s Research and the Road to a Ph.D.
Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation; Orbit 2
Choosing a career path after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology can bring both excitement and uncertainty, especially for students deciding between medical school and academia or research. In this talk, NSU alumna Juliet Akkaoui will share her journey of making that choice and building a career as a biomedical scientist.
Juliet graduated from NSU with a B.S. in Biology in 2018, initially uncertain whether to pursue medical school or a research-focused path. She decided to continue her academic training with an M.S. in Biological Sciences – Health Studies at NSU, graduating in 2019. During this time, she accepted a research position under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandru Movila at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine. Her work examined how aging impacts intracellular ceramide-mediated periodontal bone lesions, providing her first experience with research. This experience, funded by the NIH/NIDCR, not only refined her technical skills but also sparked her passion for investigating the biological processes underlying age-related diseases.
Motivated by a desire to address the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in biomedical research and to become an independent investigator, Juliet entered the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Science at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Under the guidance of Dr. Madepalli K. Lakshmana, her research focuses on uncovering the role of novel genetic risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Specifically, she studies how these genes contribute to neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive decline using cell culture models, transgenic mice, molecular biology techniques, and behavioral testing. Her long-term goal is to translate these findings into strategies for prevention and treatment.
In this presentation, Juliet will discuss how her time at NSU prepared her for the challenges of graduate school and the career decision-making process, as well as highlight the value of research careers. She will share practical advice on finding research opportunities, applying to graduate programs, and building professional networks. She will also convey key insights into AD research from the molecular mechanisms that drive pathology to the experimental approaches used to study them.
For pre-med and aspiring biomedical students alike, this talk offers a realistic and encouraging perspective on the life of a doctoral researcher, navigating post-graduation choices and building a career in science.
About the Presenter
Juliet Akkaoui is a biomedical researcher with a strong foundation in biological sciences and a deep commitment to advancing diversity in the scientific community. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2018, followed by a Master of Science in Biological Sciences – Health Studies in 2019. After completing her graduate studies, Juliet accepted a research position under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandru Movila at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine. There, she investigated the impact of aging on intracellular ceramide-mediated periodontal bone lesions, a project funded by the NIH/NIDCR. This work not only strengthened her technical expertise in biomedical research but also deepened her interest in the complex interplay between aging, inflammation, and disease. Motivated by a passion for mentorship and a desire to address the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the sciences, Juliet set her sights on becoming a competitive and independent investigator. In pursuit of this goal, she joined the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Science at Florida International University’s (FIU) Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, where Dr. Madepalli K. Lakshmana mentors her.
Juliet’s current research centers on uncovering the role of novel genetic risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Using advanced molecular, cellular, and in vivo models, she investigates how these genes contribute to neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Her work aims to bridge the gap between genetic discoveries and therapeutic interventions, with the ultimate goal of informing strategies for prevention and treatment. Throughout her career, Juliet has presented her findings at national and international conferences, received competitive fellowships, and collaborated on multidisciplinary projects spanning neuroscience, aging, and oral health. Her dedication to rigorous scientific inquiry is matched by her commitment to mentorship, outreach, and fostering diversity within STEM fields. With unwavering determination and a vision for impactful science, Juliet strives to contribute to breakthroughs that will transform the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. She hopes her journey will inspire the next generation of scientists—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to pursue research careers with confidence and purpose.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/juliet.akkaoui.1/bibliography/public/ https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_alumni/168/