My major was in Chemistry (2004), but recently I became very interested in neuroscience. This may sound odd, just as though being Brazilian I can't dance samba or play soccer well. Actually, I majored in Chemistry to acquire a solid basis in the physical sciences, which will help me to do research in modern Biology.

I started to work in neuroscience with Prof. Etelvino J. H. Bechara in the University of Sao Paulo, in which we studied the neurotoxic effects of lead poisoning.

During this project my interest in neuroscience grew partly because I think that this field will, eventually, provide us with a profound understanding of ourselves, because all of our hopes and miseries are but a consequence of the activity of our brains.

Currently at Columbia I am studying how different areas of the brain communicate with each other during anxiety in mice. So far we found that anxiety increases synchronization between the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus in both genetic and behavioral models of anxiety in mice. 

During my free time, if I have any, I will continue to compose songs, draw sketches, go out with friends and play mediocre soccer. I also hope I am going to have the time and energy (and the money as well!) to enjoy what Columbia and NYC have to offer.

Publications

Intracellular Ca2+ Regulation During Neuronal Differentiation of Murine Embryonal Carcinoma and Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Resende RR, da Costa JL, Kihara AH, Adhikari A, Lorençon E, Britto LR. Stem Cells Dev. 2008 Nov 25.

Mechanism of acetylcholine-induced calcium signaling during neuronal differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells in vitro. Resende RR, Gomes KN, Adhikari A, Britto LR, Ulrich H. Cell Calcium. 2008;43(2):107-21.

The dual face of endogenous alpha-aminoketones: pro-oxidizing metabolic weapons.Bechara EJ, Dutra F, Cardoso VE, Sartori A, Olympio KP, Penatti CA, Adhikari A, Assunção NA. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007;146(1-2):88-110.

5-Aminolevulinate and 4, 5-dioxovalerate ions decrease GABA(A) receptor density in neuronal cells, synaptosomes and rat brain. Adhikari A, Penatti CA, Resende RR, Ulrich H, Britto LR, Bechara EJ. Brain Res. 2006; 1093(1):95-104.

International Conference Proceedings:

- "Oxidative Damage of GABAa Receptors by 5-Aminolevulinate" - A. Adhikari, C. A. A. Penatti, L.R. G. Britto and E. J. H. Bechara - Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 36, Suppl. 1, S89 (2004).