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Research

Highlights

Distinguished Neuroscientist and Brain Health Expert: Over 20 years of research and consulting experience in brain disorders and mental health.

Accomplished Innovator and Strategic Leader in Neuroscience: Spearheaded global interdisciplinary initiatives like EcoNeuro and the International Neuro Climate Working Group.

Global Advisory Board Member: Plays an influential role in shaping research and policy through advisory positions with international organizations, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration across academia, industry, and the public sector.

Prominent Speaker, Media Contributor, and Thought Leader: Delivered a keynote at the United Nations General Assembly, gave a TEDx talk, and spoke at COP29 and other international events while contributing to major media outlets as a recognized expert on brain health and climate change, reaching an audience of over 100,000.

Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM: Committed to advancing open and accessible science while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, community outreach, and environmental responsibility to empower underrepresented communities in science and beyond.


Leadership and Advisory Experience

Founder and Chair, the International Neuro Climate Working Group, Los Angeles, CA          

I lead an international consortium of over 100 scientists, clinicians, public health experts, policymakers, and community leaders working at the intersection of climate change and brain health. As a dynamic collective, we leverage diverse expertise to address the profound effects of environmental changes on neurological and mental well-being. Committed to innovative research, interdisciplinary collaboration, effective advocacy, evidence-driven policy, and community engagement, our group is uniquely positioned to illuminate and tackle the brain health challenges posed by our changing climate.

Advisor, Council on Foreign Relations, New York, NY

I am a member of the advisory committee for the special report on climate change adaptation and U.S. foreign policy on global health. This report will discuss the health threats associated with climate change, why climate adaptation poses problems for U.S. foreign policymaking, and what steps should be taken to advance adaptation actions for health and development purposes.

Advisory Board Member, Climate Cares Centre, Imperial College London, UK

I contribute my expertise in neuroscience to a multidisciplinary team dedicated to exploring the intersection of mental health and climate change. My role involves guiding research directions, shaping educational content, and helping to formulate policy recommendations that address the psychological impacts of climate change.

Science Advisory Board Member, Climate Clinic, Yuvam Dunya, Turkey               

Yuvam Dunya is a non-profit organization that addresses climate change through social and educational transformation. I advise the organization’s Climate Clinic initiative, which aims to integrate climate change education into the medical school curriculum. I support the organization’s training, research, and science communication efforts. I also co-organized a symposium on climate change and mental health, which was attended by more than a thousand people.

Metabolic Psychiatry Advisory Board Member, Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition, Canada

I was involved with the writing of a white paper and the development of an advanced training program for clinicians to include therapeutic nutrition and metabolic therapies as safe and effective treatment options for their patients with mental illnesses.

Scientific Advisor, Metabolic Mind, San Mateo, CA            

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit organization working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. I advised the team on the creation of evidence-based scientific and educational content.


Peer-Reviewed Research Articles

Ikiz B, Climate Preparedness Guidelines for Neurologists and Psychiatrists. Prepared for the Pan American Health Organization, Enhancing Healthcare Facilities Resilience: Learning from COVID-19 to Address Ongoing and Future Health Threats Initiative. 2025.

Nail-Beatty O, Ibanez A, Ayadi R, Swieboda P, Njamnshi AK, Occhipinti JA, Hynes W, Ikiz B, Castro-Aldrete L, O’Brien K, Platt ML, Adalat S, Abdullah JM, Dhamija RK, Merali Z, Mostert C, Beck D, Saxena S, Salama M, Abdelraheem OM, Destrebecq F, Slavich GM, Shehu B, Fieggen G, Ghogomu PM, Bassetti CLA, Eyre HA, Brain health is essential for smooth economic transitions: towards socio-economic sustainability, productivity and well-being, Brain Communications, Volume 6, Issue 6, 2024, fcae360, https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcae360

Adalat S, Hajat S, Ikiz B; Climate change has serious implications for children’s brain health; BMJ, July 22, 2024; 386:q1588

Global Agenda for Research and Action in Climate Change and Mental Health, June 2024; DOI: 10.25561/113342 (Contributing Author).

Ibanez A, Melloni L, Świeboda P, Hynes W, Ikiz B, Ayadi R, Thioye M, Walss-Bass C, Güntekin B, Mishra J, Salama M, Dunlop S, Duran-Aniotz C, Eyre HA; Neuroecological links of the exposome and One Health; Neuron, May 8, 2024.

Mishra V, Re DB, Le Verce V, Alvarez MJ, Vasciaveo A, Jacquier A, Doulias PT, Greco TM, Nizzardo M, Papadimitriou D, Nagata T, Rinchetti P, Perez-Torres EJ, Politi KA, Ikiz B, Clare K, Than ME, Corti S, Ischiropoulos H, Lotti F, Califano A, Przedborski S; Systematic elucidation of neuron-astrocyte interaction in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using multi-modal integrated bioinformatics workflow; Nature Communications. 2020 Nov 4; 11: 5579.

Atanasio A, Decman V, White D, Ramos M, Ikiz B, Lee HC, Siao CJ, Brydges S, LaRosa E, Bai Y, Fury W, Burfeind P, Zamfirova R, Warshaw G, Orengo J, Oyejide A, Fralish M, Auerbach W, Poueymirou W, Freudenberg J, Gong G, Zambrowicz B, Valenzuela D, Yancopoulos G, Murphy A, Thurston G, Lai KM; C9orf72 ablation causes immune dysregulation characterized by leukocyte expansion, autoantibody production, and glomerulonephropathy in mice; Scientific Reports. 2016 Mar 16; 6:23204.

Ikiz B, Alvarez MJ, Ré DB, Le Verche V, Politi K, Lotti F, Phani S, Pradhan R, Yu C, Croft GF, Jacquier A, Henderson CE, Califano A, Przedborski S; The Regulatory Machinery of Neurodegeneration in In Vitro Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Cell Reports. 2015 Jul 14; 12(2):335-45.

Re DB, Le Verche V, Yu C, Amoroso MW, Politi KA, Phani S, Ikiz B, Hoffmann L, Koolen M, Nagata T, Papadimitriou D, Nagy P, Mitsumoto H, Kariya S, Wichterle H, Henderson CE, Przedborski S; Necroptosis drives motor neuron death in models of both sporadic and familial ALS; Neuron. 2014 Mar 5; 81(5):1001-8.

Le Verche V, Ikiz B, Jacquier A, Przedborski S, Re DB; Glutamate pathway implication in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: what is the signal in the noise?; Journal of Receptor, Ligand and Channel Research. 2010 Dec; 4:1-22.

Papadimitriou D, Le Verche V, Jacquier A, Ikiz B, Przedborski S, Re DB; Inflammation in ALS and SMA: Sorting out the good from the evil; Neurobiology of Disease. 2010 Mar; 37(3):493-502.

Ikiz B, Przedborski S; A sequel to the tale of p25/Cdk5 in neurodegeneration; Neuron. 2008 Dec 10; 60(5):731-2.


Patents

Ikiz B, LaCroix-Fralish ML, Croll SD. “Non-human animal exhibiting diminished upper and lower motor neuron function and sensory perception,” US Patent 10,285,387, issued on May 14, 2019.


Atanasio A, Ikiz B, Gong G, LaCroix-Fralish ML, Lai VK, Valenzuela DM Non-human animals having a disruption in a C9ORF72 locus, US Patent 11,547,101, issued on Jan. 10, 2023.


Fellowships, Grants, and Awards

Narrative Medicine Fellow, Columbia University

Inaugural Writer Fellow, On Deck

Brunie Prize for Stem Cell Research, Columbia University

Dean’s Fellow, Columbia University

Summer Student Research Fellow, EPFL, Lausanne               

Vice Provost Undergraduate Education Grant, Stanford University    

Undergraduate Research Program Major Grant, Stanford University   


Professional Certificates

Data Journalism, Google

Science Communications & Policy Workshop, Reclaiming STEM

Science Writing Bootcamp, SoCal Science Writers

Scientists Teaching Science, The New York Academy of Sciences

Science Ambassador, The New York Academy of Sciences


Professional Affiliations

National Academy of Medicine Climate and Health Movement Initiative, Selected Participating Organization, 2024-present

Rockefeller Organization Big Bets Community, Member, 2024-present

Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Chair of Neuro Climate Working Group, 2024-present

Union of Concerned Scientists Network, Member, 2023-present

National Association of Science Writers, Member, 2020-present

Women in Bio, Member,  2020-present

500 Women Scientists, Member, 2020-present

SoCal Science Writers, Member, 2020-present

New York Academy of Sciences, Ambassador, 2013-present