Khalin Nisbett

Kay has a lifelong curiosity and an unwavering ambition toward neuroscience and chemistry which is never appeased and only reinforced when she probes the neural basis and behavioral profiles of psychiatric diseases, e.g. depression, PTSD, drug abuse, and the biochemical interactions and mechanisms of pharmacotherapies. Kay intends to use this passion and her scientific aptitude to enhance our understanding of the brain and its disorders, to enable the development of more effective clinical therapies.

Working with Michael Ragozzino has given Kay the opportunity to understand and investigate neurodevelopmental disorders, i.e. Autism Spectrum Disorder. As she continues to grow and learn in this field, she hopes to make a significant contribution to our awareness and knowledge of these disorders as well.

Key Interests: Psychiatric Diseases, Drug Development, Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nisbett, K. E.; Pinna, G. Emerging therapeutic role of PPAR-alpha in cognition and emotions. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018. 9, 925. (DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00998)

Nisbett, K.; Tu, Y.; Turro, C.; Kodanko, J.; Schlegel, H. B. DFT Investigation of Ligand Photodissociation in [RuII(tpy)(bpy)(py)]2 and [RuII(tpy)(Me2bpy)(py)]2 Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry. 2018. 57 (1) 231 – 240. (DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b02398)

Nisbett, K. E. (April 13, 2017) Design, Synthesis and Analysis of Potential Photo-activatable Cathepsin K Inhibitors. Master’s Thesis, Wayne State University, 2017, ProQuest. (wayne13297)

UIC Latin@s Gaining Access to Networks for Advancement in Science (LAS GANAS) Mentor; 2019 – Current

Treasurer & Head of Committee on Outreach & Mentorship – UIC Black Graduate Student Association; 2019 – Current

Member – National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Illinois & NAMI Metro Suburban Organization; 2019 – Current

Group Leader & Organizing Committee Member – Expanding Your Horizons Chicago Conference; 2019

Student Member – Graduate Women In Science: GWIS Omega & GWIS Chicago Chapter; 2019 – Current

Poster Competition Judge – Undergraduate Science Communication Symposium; Fall 2018

Graduate Student Representative for the UIC Graduate Student Council; 2018 – Current

Student Member – Society for Neuroscience; 2018 – Current

Member – UIC African American Academic Network; 2018 – Current

Chicago, IL STEM Scouts Leader; 2017

Nisbett, K. E. Correcting the excitation/inhibition imbalance in BTBR mouse model of autism: Modulation by M1 muscarinic receptor activation. University of Illinois – Chicago Annual Neuroscience Graduate Research Symposium; 2019 Feb 28; Chicago, IL.

Nisbett, K. E., Ragozzino, M. E. Central oxytocin is anti-depressive and anxiolytic in B6 mice. Annual Society for Neuroscience National Conference; 2019 Oct 19 – 23; Chicago, IL.

Ragozzino, M. E., Nisbett, K. E., Teneqexhi, P., Ocampo, R., Athnaiel, O., Messer Jr, W. S. M1 muscarinic receptor agonist treatment differentially modulates dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatal glutamate during repetitive behaviors in the BTBR mouse. Annual Society for Neuroscience National Conference; 2019 Oct 19 – 23; Chicago, IL.

Nisbett, K. E., Teneqexhi, P., Ocampo, R., Athnaiel, O., Messer Jr, W. S., Ragozzino, M. E. Differential modulation of dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatum by partial M1 muscarinic receptor agonist alleviates repetitive behavior in the BTBR mouse model of autism. Chicago Chapter Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting; 2019 Apr 19; Chicago, IL.

Nisbett, K. E., Ocampo, R., Teneqexhi, P., Messer Jr, W. S., Ragozzino, M. E. Glutamate efflux changes in the dorsolateral striatum of the BTBR mouse during stereotyped motor behavior: Modulation by M1 muscarinic receptor activation. Annual Society for Neuroscience National Conference; 2019 Nov 3 – 7; San Diego, CA.

Nisbett, K. E., Ocampo, R., Teneqexhi, P., Messer Jr, W. S., Ragozzino, M. E. Glutamate efflux changes in the dorsolateral striatum of the BTBR mouse during stereotyped motor behavior: Modulation by M1 muscarinic receptor activation. 6th Annual University of Illinois – Chicago Neuroscience Day; 2018 Oct 26; Chicago, IL.