USC.edu

Rita Barakat

Lecturer
Rita Barakat
Pronouns She / Her / Hers Email rbarakat@usc.edu

Biography

My research and teaching backgrounds span across a breadth of neuroscience and biological science topics ranging from the neurobiological mechanisms of reading and language in humans to statistical approaches in studying behavior and the homeostatic mechanisms of the mammalian autonomic nervous system. I have spent the last seven years cultivating my skills in primary, secondary and higher STEM education and best practices in teaching diverse student populations. In my time as a graduate student teaching assistant, assistant lecturer and lecturer at USC, I have had the privilege of mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in their research and other academic endeavors, and have forged meaningful collaborations with the Joint Educational Project (JEP) and Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) community educational programs.

Education

  • Ph.D. Neuroscience, University of Southern California, 5/2022
  • BA Molecular and Cellular Biology (Neurobiology), University of California Berkeley, 5/2015

  • Research, Teaching, Practice, and Clinical Appointments

    • Lecturer, University of Southern California, 2022-2023
    • (Fall 2022) BISC 104. How the Body Works, MWF, 01:00pm – 01:50pm, ONLINE
    • (Fall 2022) BISC 230. The Biology of the Brain, MWF, 12:00pm – 12:50pm, ONLINE
    • (Fall 2022) BISC 421. Neurobiology, MWF, 11:00am – 11:50am, SAL101 & ONLINE
    • (Spring 2023) BISC 220. General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, TTh, 09:30am – 10:50am, THH101
    • (Spring 2023) BISC 220. General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, TTh, 08:00am – 09:20am, THH101
    • (Spring 2023) BISC 230. The Biology of the Brain, MW, 12:00pm – 01:50pm, ZHS252
    • (Summer 2023) BISC 220. General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, TWThF, 10:00am – 12:05pm, HNB100
    • (Fall 2023) BISC 104. How the Body Works, MWF, 01:00pm – 01:50pm
    • (Fall 2023) BISC 230. The Biology of the Brain, MWF, 03:00pm – 03:50pm, MHP B7B
    • (Fall 2023) BISC 421. Neurobiology, MWF, 11:00am – 11:50am, SAL101
    • (Spring 2024) BISC 220. General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, TTh, 09:30am – 10:50am, THH101
    • (Spring 2024) BISC 220. General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, TTh, 08:00am – 09:20am, SAL101
    • (Spring 2024) BISC 230. The Biology of the Brain, MW, 12:00pm – 01:50pm
    • BISC-321: Multidisciplinary Seminar: Science, Technology and Society Guest Lecture Title: “The Reading Brain: Exploring the Neuroanatomical and Behavioral Correlates of Reading in Children with Dyslexia”, Spring 2023
    • BISC/ NEUR-199: Neuroscience Colloquium Guest Lecture Title: “A Bottom-up Approach to Becoming a Neuroscientist and the Value of Early STEM Education”, Spring 2023
    • BISC-150: The Nature of Human Health and Disease Guest Lecture Title: “The Reading Brain: Exploring the Neuroanatomical and Behavioral Correlates of Reading in Children with Dyslexia”, Spring 2023
    • BISC-193: Introduction to Research I Guest Lecture Title: “A Bottom-up Approach to Becoming a Neuroscientist and the Value of Early STEM Education”, Fall 2022

  • Office Hours

      Thursdays : 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Office Location: SGM 722

    Other Advisement or Time Devoted to Students

    • Faculty Advisor for Curam magazine. , 2023-2024
    • Faculty Advisor for Varsity Blues Co-ed A Cappella Group, 2022-2023

  • Committees

    • Chair, Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP) Diversity Committee, 2023-2024

    Other Service to the University

    • Represented the Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP) at the California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists , Fall 2023
    • Curriculum writer and advisor or the Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) Program , 2022-2023

  • Review Panels

    • National Science Foundation (Graduate Research Fellowship Program), Psychology GRF Review Panel, 2022-2023
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