Zafir Buraei

Zafir Buraei is an Associate Professor and Department Chairperson in the Department of Biology at Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pace University, New York City. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and academic leadership, with a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms of neurological and cardiovascular diseases.

His research centers on ion channels, particularly voltage-gated calcium channels, and their roles in brain function and disease. Using electrophysiology, molecular biology, and pharmacology, his lab investigates how mutations in ion channels lead to channelopathies and how drugs and natural compounds modulate these channels. Students in his lab gain hands-on experience in bioinformatics, molecular techniques, and electrophysiology.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on calcium channel structure, regulation by auxiliary subunits (like Cavβ and RGK proteins), and pharmacological modulation. Themes include voltage-dependent permeation, effects of roscovitine, and the molecular basis of disease-causing mutations. His work bridges neuroscience, biophysics, and drug discovery.

• Homer and Charles Pace Faculty Award, Pace University - NYC, 2025
• Outstanding Advisor Award, Tulane University, 2018
• Tulane University Medical Center Chancellor’s Award, Belgrade University, 2003
• Undergraduate tuition waived for academic excellence, 1996

Dr. Buraei has successfully secured multiple research grants from federal and institutional sources, including the NIH and NSF, supporting projects on calcium channel regulation and curriculum development. He actively mentors students through independent studies, research courses (BIO 480, BIO 481), and summer research programs. His service includes advising first-year students, serving on faculty search and curriculum committees, and reviewing for top journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Journal of Neuroscience.

He leads a research laboratory focused on electrophysiological and molecular analysis of ion channels, integrating undergraduate and graduate students into cutting-edge neuroscience research. His lab contributes to understanding fundamental mechanisms of neuronal excitability and potential therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders.