Lab Members

Arun Singh, PhD

Assistant Professor

Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences

Department of Neuroscience

Sanford School of Medicine

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD, 57069

Email ID: arun.singh@usd.edu

Lab: +1 605 658 6470

Dr. Singh obtained PhD in systems neuroscience from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany. His doctoral research delved into the analysis of basal ganglia local field potentials recorded from externalized deep brain stimulation electrodes, as well as scalp EEG activities, in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) during various upper- and lower-limb motor performances.

Following his PhD, Dr. Singh pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, USA. During this fellowship, he conducted research within both the Neurology department and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. His investigations primarily revolved around studying the intricate striatal networks in animal models with Parkinsonian characteristics and patients diagnosed with PD.

Prior to joining the distinguished faculty at the University of South Dakota, Dr. Singh made valuable contributions to the Neurology department at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. His research efforts in this role were primarily focused on unraveling the intricacies of cognitive and motor control in individuals living with Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Singh's academic journey showcases his commitment to advancing the understanding of PD and related disorders and his expertise in systems neuroscience. His research accomplishments have established him as a respected authority in the field, contributing to the broader scientific community's knowledge and paving the way for improved treatments and interventions for patients with PD.

Matt Leedom

Senior Researcher / Collaborator

Matt Leedom is a physical therapist and assistant professor of Physical Therapy at the University of South Dakota. He holds a board-certification as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist, through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He teaches in the areas of rehabilitative neuroscience, pathophysiology and differential diagnosis, and physical therapy management of neuromuscular conditions. His research interests include motor control, postural control, and neurophysiologic effects of exercise on people with Parkinson’s disease. He also has extensive clinical expertise in the areas of neuromuscular function, clinical neuroanatomy, motor control, and management of symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism. He is a member of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapists, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association (SDPTA). He is also an APTA credentialed Clinical Instructor, a certified Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) therapist, and holds a certification in Neurologic Clinical Practice from the NeuroRecovery Training Institute.

Rezwanul Pallab

PhD Student

Rezwanul Pallab is a medical professional from Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2018, he graduated from the University of Dhaka’s Ibrahim Medical College with an MBBS degree, after which he completed a one-year Internship at Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolic Disorders- BIRDEM General Hospital. Following licensure from the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), he spent nearly three years as a Resident Physician in Popular Medical College Hospital, acquiring a wealth of clinical experience. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Neuroscience at the University of South Dakota, focusing on advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease. His research interest includes EEG, fNIRS, Brain Stimulation, and abnormal gait and balance in Parkinson’s Disease.

Isaac Kieti

Student Volunteer

Isaac Kieti is a Neuroscience and Psychology Major with a minor in Biology at the University of South Dakota. He enjoys reading and writing on philosophy and psychology in his free time. He aims to be a physician specializing in psychiatry.

Gitanjali Sattanathan

Student Volunteer

Gitanjali Sattanathan is a medical biology major at the University of South Dakota with a passion for neuroscience. Aspiring to become a physician, she is dedicated to exploring the brain’s complexities and its impact on human health. Outside of her lab work, Gitanjali enjoys diving into philosophical ideas and practicing meditation.

Taylor Bosch, PhD

Collaborator

Taylor Bosch is the Assistant Professor in the Psychology department at the USD interested in neuroimaging techniques like electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as well as neurostimulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). He received his PhD from USD in 2018 and now works with investigators from diverse research backgrounds to apply neuroimaging and neurostimulation techniques to their research projects. His own research interests are in motor learning and the skilled manipulation of objects using hand-held tools.

Jamie Scholl, MS

Senior Research Associate/Collaborator

Jamie Scholl is the project manager for the Center for Genetics and Behavioral Health Laboratory and our research collaborator. Singh lab collaborates with her to work on the gut microbiota project. Her primary research interests involve biological and behavioral analysis including substance-use disorders, anxiety/depression, and biological markers (e.g. cortisol, oxytocin, genetics, and inflammatory markers). As the director of our department’s Behavioral Core, she also has been involved in and coordinated research that includes models of cognition and memory impairments, early-life stress, anxiety/depression-like behavior testing and analysis, drug-induced behavior testing, as well as neuropharmacology. She currently works in and maintain a BSL-2 laboratory and that processes and maintains a variety of biological human samples for analysis.

Arun Singh, PhD

Matt Leedom

Rezwanul Pallab

Isaac Kieti

Gitanjali Sattanathan

Taylor Bosch, PhD

Jamie Scholl, MS

Past Lab Members

Shomoita Jahid Mitin

Shotabdi Roy

Sara Alhasnawi

Maureen Hurley

Rachel Nwogo

Suyog Bhandari

Nafees Taha