Nickname: Guddu
Hometown: Amet, Rajasthan.
Graduate School: PGIMER, Chandigarh
E-mail: rahul15tyagi@gmail.com
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-tyagi-478a6128 Click Here
Current Organization: The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Website: https://www.nih.gov/

Tell briefly about yourself.

I am inclined towards spirituality and an admirer of nature. Singing, cricket, and beautiful natural sites are my source of inspiration. I would like to travel all around the world and would like to explore human culture.

How was your experience in the Neuroscience Research Lab? How did it contribute to your academic or professional development?

During my time in the Neuroscience Research Lab (NRL), I underwent a transformative journey that significantly advanced my academic and professional development. My experience in the lab was not only a deep dive into the complexities of neuroscience, molecular diagnostics, neurogenetics, and psychology but also a comprehensive training ground for developing critical research skills backed by environment backed by good lab environment. A pivotal aspect of my growth was the guidance provided by my mentor as well as my seniors. Their unwavering motivation and insightful feedback were instrumental in shaping my research approach. The NRL team fostered an environment of curiosity and rigor, encouraging me to push the boundaries of my knowledge and tackle complex questions with confidence. Participating in periodic journal clubs and seminars was another cornerstone of my experience in NRL. These sessions were invaluable for staying abreast of the latest advancements in the field and for honing my critical analysis skills. Engaging in discussions about cutting-edge research, presenting our findings, and critiquing the work of others greatly enhanced my ability to evaluate scientific literature and integrate new insights into my research. The collaborative nature of these journal clubs fostered a dynamic learning environment, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and intellectual exchange. During this time, I was also re-introduced to Yoga and evidence-based research on it. Overall, my journey in the Neuroscience Research Lab has profoundly enriched my academic pursuits and professional aspirations. The experience has equipped me with a solid foundation in research methodology and the motivation to continue contributing to the field with both rigor and passion.

What are your Research interests?

My research journey has been driven by a profound interest in understanding the intricate relationships between genetic factors, cognitive function, and immune system disorders. Currently, my focus is to understand the autoimmune neuroimmunology axis and its role in autoimmune pathologies of the brain. I am investigating how autoimmune processes interact with neurological and psychological functions and contribute to autoimmune encephalitis, neuroinflammatory, and neuropsychiatric autoimmune conditions. This research includes screening autoantibodies and their orthogonal validations.

What are your current affiliations?

Translational Immunopsychiatry Unit, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, United States

What was your PhD thesis in or research work? Timeline?

My PhD thesis focused on investigating the cognitive deficits associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and how these deficits correlate with specific genetic variants in the dystrophin gene. By analyzing genetic data and conducting comprehensive cognitive assessments on a cohort of 100 DMD subjects, the study identified key patterns of copy number variations and their impact on various cognitive and neuropsychological domains. The working memory induced global deficits were additionally validated by computational cognitive modeling to simulate cognitive processes and decision-making in DMD patients. The findings revealed significant cognitive deficits linked to specific mutations and highlighted the role of early intervention. Overall, my work contributed to a better understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationship in DMD and proposed new avenues for cognitive rehabilitation.

Timeline: June-2012-July 2018