Spotlight on Dr. Huda Akil: Leading Neuroscientist to Keynote Rutgers Addiction Research Center Fall Symposium
This fall, the Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC) in the Brain Health Institute (BHI) is honored to welcome Dr. Huda Akil as the keynote speaker for its 2025 Fall Symposium. A pioneering figure in neuroscience and mental health research, Dr. Akil will present her talk, “Searching for the Neurobiological and Genetic Basis of Temperament: Relevance to Addiction”, on Friday, September 5, at the Busch Student Center in Piscataway, NJ.
Bridging Molecular Discovery with Real-World Impact
Dr. Akil’s visit marks more than a lecture—it’s a celebration of a scientific legacy that has shaped how we understand emotions, stress, and addiction at a biological level.
“I have admired Dr. Huda Akil’s work for years,” says Dr. Danielle Dick, Director of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center in the BHI. “Her discoveries about the neurobiology of stress, mood, and addiction are foundational to our field. What inspires me most is not just the brilliance of her science, but her ability to bridge molecular findings with real-world impact. That vision aligns closely with what we’re building at the Rutgers Addiction Research Center in the BHI—a multidisciplinary community dedicated to translating discovery into solutions that change lives”.
From Syria to Scientific Leadership
Born in Damascus, Syria, Dr. Akil’s journey into neuroscience began with a spark of inspiration from reading about Marie Curie. That early curiosity launched a global career: earning her degrees from the American University of Beirut and UCLA, she later conducted postdoctoral work at Stanford and became a leading researcher at the University of Michigan.
Today, she serves as the Gardner C. Quarton Distinguished University Professor of Neurosciences and Senior Research Professor at the Michigan Neuroscience Institute.
Transforming Our Understanding of Addiction and Emotion
Dr. Akil’s research has helped decode how the brain processes pain, stress, and reward—laying the foundation for our understanding of addiction and depression. Her groundbreaking work on endorphins revealed how the brain naturally suppresses pain. Later, her studies on stress hormones and genetic vulnerability offered insight into conditions like bipolar disorder and major depression.
She’s also a leader in modeling temperament and behavioral traits in animals to explore the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of addiction risk—a focus highly relevant to RARC’s mission.
A Voice for Translational Science
“Part of our mission at the Rutgers Addiction Research Center in the BHI is to make cutting‑edge science accessible,” Dr. Dick adds. “Dr. Akil’s passion for communicating the importance of brain health—and her gift for translating complex discoveries into meaningful conversations—make her an ideal keynote for this year’s symposium”.
As former President of the Society for Neuroscience and a recipient of the National Medal of Science, Dr. Akil is not only a leading voice in research, but also a mentor, advocate, and changemaker in mental health.
Join Us This September
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the most influential neuroscientists of our time. Dr. Huda Akil will take the stage at the RARC Fall Symposium on September 5, 2025, to share her insights into the biological roots of temperament and how they inform our understanding of addiction.
Support Groundbreaking Addiction Research at Rutgers BHI
Help bring pioneering voices like Dr. Akil’s to Rutgers to fuel the Rutgers Brain Health Institute’s mission to explore, translate, and apply science that changes lives. Your support enables us to bring world-renowned neuroscience and brain health researchers to speak at Rutgers.
