Shahriar SheikhBahaei

Shahriar SheikhBahaei is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Stony Brook University (SBU), affiliated with the Renaissance School of Medicine and the Center for Nervous System Disorders (CNSD). He earned a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, a PhD from University College London/NIH (2017), and completed postdoctoral training at NIH before joining SBU in 2025.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, University of California, Berkeley
• PhD in Neuroscience, joint program between University College London and NIH (2017)

Research Focus: Investigates neural circuits and glial mechanisms underlying voluntary motor control, particularly astrocyte modulation of respiratory and speech-related circuits. Techniques include genetic, optical, and electrophysiological approaches. Key interests include the neural basis of speech disorders like stuttering and astrocyte roles in breathing-speech interactions.

Awards:

• Independent Research Scholar Award (2019)

Labs & Affiliations: Member of the Center for Nervous System Disorders and based at the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Office CMM 544.