Zayd M. Khaliq

Dr. Zayd M. Khaliq serves as Senior Investigator and leads the Cellular Neurophysiology Section within the Division of Intramural Research at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has maintained this independent research position since 2011.

His academic foundation includes:

• B.A. in Physics from Dartmouth College
• Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Northwestern University (2006)
• Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School with Bruce Bean

Dr. Khaliq's research centers on the cellular mechanisms of dopamine neuron function within reward circuits. His laboratory investigates:

• Voltage-gated ion channel contributions to neuronal excitability
• Synaptic-intrinsic property interactions shaping reward-related spiking patterns
• Neuromodulatory regulation of midbrain circuit dynamics

Employing patch-clamp electrophysiology as its core methodology, the lab integrates imaging, immunohistochemistry, and transgenic mouse models to dissect specific neuronal populations. This work provides critical insights into the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease, addiction, schizophrenia, and depression where dopamine system dysfunction is central. The Cellular Neurophysiology Section maintains state-of-the-art facilities for conducting cutting-edge neurophysiological research on reward circuit mechanisms.