Biru Dudhabhate, Ph.D., and Maria Jones-Muhammad, Ph.D., have been selected as Emerging Scholars for 2026-2027 by Civitan International Research Center.
The Emerging Scholar Award provides research funding for clinical or basic science research related to brain development for trainees at the graduate student and postdoctoral fellow levels. Awards are made possible by donations from Civitan International, matching funds from the Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and UAB's University-wide Interdisciplinary Research Centers (UWIRC) program.
Investigating the neural basis of cognitive variability in autism spectrum disorder
Biru Dudhabhate, Ph.D.Biru Dudhabhate, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Psychology, is investigating why cognitive ability varies so widely across the autism spectrum—from individuals who live fully independently to those requiring lifelong support.
Using rat models of autism spectrum disorder with distinct genetic origins, Dudhabhate is assessing how dopamine and acetylcholine signaling in the brain shapes the ability to integrate past experiences with new information, a core cognitive process thought to underlie learning differences in autism.
While current theories suggest that autism symptoms stem from difficulty integrating past knowledge with new experiences, it remains unclear whether this difficulty shares a common biological mechanism across the many genetic causes of autism. Dudhabhate's project directly tackles this gap by evaluating genetically distinct rat models side by side using a unified behavioral and neural recording pipeline.
"By measuring dopamine and acetylcholine activity while the animals perform a meta-learning task, I can ask whether different genetic roads to autism converge on the same neural mechanism, and whether that mechanism scales with how severe the symptoms are," said Dudhabhate. "That combination of cross-model comparison and severity-linked neural recording is what lets this project speak to autism's variability, not just its average profile."
Personal experience played a defining role in shaping Dudhabhate's research trajectory. "I developed a strong interest in neuroscience through early exposure to patients with psychological disorders in India," shared Dudhabhate. "Watching individuals who couldn't access proper treatment end up wandering the streets, with nowhere for their condition to be understood or supported, stayed with me.”
“That experience is part of why the autism spectrum pulls at me specifically. It isn't a single condition but a spectrum of needs. I do this science because I want to close that gap down to the level of specific brain circuits, so that support can eventually be built around where someone actually is."
Highlighting UAB's collaborative environment, Dudhabhate emphasized, "UAB hosts all the necessary expertise and resources not only to conduct the proposed basic research, but also to potentially apply what we discover to the clinic. It's also genuinely supportive of international scholars."
Uncovering the epigenetic and behavioral impact of prenatal CBD exposure
Maria Jones-Muhammad, Ph.D.
Maria Jones-Muhammad, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurobiology, is examining how prenatal exposure to cannabidiol (CBD) influences neurodevelopment during the early and adolescent stages in male and female offspring.
Cannabidiol-containing products are increasingly used during pregnancy to alleviate symptoms such as nausea, pain, and anxiety without the psychoactive effects associated with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Because CBD crosses the maternal-placental barrier, understanding its long-term effects on early brain development and neurological function is crucial.
Jones-Muhammad’s study assesses changes in genetic and epigenetic regulation, particularly DNA methylation markers, and connects these molecular alterations to behavioral outcomes, including learning, memory, social behavior, and seizure sensitivity.
"While there are studies examining prenatal cannabis exposure, relatively few assess the effects of CBD in the absence of THC on offspring brain development," explained Jones-Muhammad. "Even fewer explore its impact on both epigenetic regulation and behavior.”
“By examining molecular, epigenetic, and behavioral outcomes together, my study helps address an important gap in our understanding of how prenatal CBD exposure may affect neurodevelopment."
This focus on neurodevelopment stems from a lifelong fascination with brain complexity and personal family experience. "I have been interested in neuroscience research since I was in the 6th grade," recalled Jones-Muhammad. "I became especially interested in neurodevelopment because one of my family members has a history of hydrocephalus that affected their neurodevelopment.”
“Observing how this has influenced their behavior and developmental trajectory continues to inspire me to understand better the molecular underpinnings of brain development and the lasting effects of prenatal environmental influences."
Jones-Muhammad credited UAB’s institutional structure for fostering professional and scientific growth. "I appreciate the collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment that UAB offers. Within the Department of Neurobiology, and particularly within my postdoctoral mentor's lab, we're always discussing our projects, how to improve our methods, identifying potential collaborators on and off campus, and encouraging one another," said Jones-Muhammad.
"There are also many career development opportunities that continue to inspire me to pursue academia, including the neurobiology seminar series, work-in-progress sessions, and grant-writing workshops offered through the Office of Postdoctoral Education."