Zayd Khaliq

Zayd Khaliq, PhD, is a neuroscientist who studies cellular excitability and synaptic control of neurons in the midbrain dopamine system. His research focuses on dopaminergic neurons and uses a combination of electrophysiology, imaging, and optogenetics to examine how synaptic information is integrated and transmitted to trigger behaviorally -relevant patterns of dopamine release. His studies have contributed to our understanding of how dopamine receptors influence excitability through modulation of intrinsically -expressed ion channel proteins. Dr. Khaliq has contributed to our understanding of diversity among dopamine neuron subpopulations defined by their participation in identified circuits and the expression of biochemical markers. He is also known for his work examining how excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory receptors contribute to processing within subcellular compartments such as spines, dendrites, and axons, which is critical for dopamine signaling in motor learning circuits.