Fada Alsudayri
Preferred Name / Pronouns: Fada, she/her
Start Date in the Lab: 01/05/2026
🔬 Research Focus
I am working on getting the lab set up in terms of animal usage and protocols, as well as contributing to the research in the lab.
What question or problem are you most excited to answer through your work? I’m most excited about helping patients with what we do and exploring very novel approaches while doing so.
What techniques or approaches do you use most often? My training has been focused on molecular techniques and approaches, so I’m excited to see how I can contribute to the lab and to gain a new skillset.
💡 Scientific Journey
What inspired your interest in neuroscience, physiology, or the study of breathing and spinal cord injury? My father is an SCI patient and his health journey inspired me to want to contribute to bettering patient outcomes.
Where did you train or study before joining the Rana Lab? I previously worked in the lab of Dr. Susan Reynolds at Nationwide Children’s to identify tissue stem cell markers and use the tissue stem cells as cell therapy.
Was there a key experience, mentor, or project that shaped your path in science? Dr. David O. Robbins started my passion in research as an undergraduate, and Dr. Susan Reynolds shaped my early career as a scientist. I am grateful to both of them for inspiring the path I am on today.
🌍 Broader Impact
How do you see your work contributing to improving human health or understanding the nervous system? Hopefully we are able to improve breathing function not only in SCI patients, but anyone with impaired respiratory control.
What part of the Rana Lab’s mission resonates most with you? The impact our findings will have on the patients who are affected by SCI.
🧭 Future Goals
What are your professional aspirations (short- or long-term)? Eventually, I’d like to complete a PhD in clinical psychology.
🎨 Beyond the Bench
What do you enjoy doing outside of the lab? Spending time with family and friends.
Favorite hobby, sport, or creative outlet: Painting, being in nature and traveling.
Fun or quirky fact about you your labmates might not know: Another SC connection, I have scoliosis!
Favorite brain region (and why, if you’d like!): The amygdala
☕ Quickfire:
Favorite lab technique or piece of equipment: qPCR
Coffee order or lab snack of choice: Anything baked and chocolatey
Current playlist or podcast while analyzing data: Hidden Brain
In another life, I’d be a ___: Either a translator or a dragon
Best advice you’ve received in science: Science is full of ebbs and flows, and sometimes you have to be your own guiding torch.
