ANTHONY COLLINS
Rather than be dismissed or chastised for the mistakes I made, I was met with compassion and structure. Dr. Khoshbouei helped me cultivate proper expectations and develop practical tools to manage executive dysfunction — tools I still rely on today in my PhD training. Thanks to the support of her lab, I earned awards for my research (including 1st place at ABRCMS 2019), contributed to three publications, and built a foundation that has carried me through graduate school. Even now, when doubt creeps in, I ask myself, “What would Dr. Khoshbouei say?”. The answer always grounds me and refuels my belief that I CAN and WILL succeed with the right effort and right expectations. Her belief in her students is unwavering, and in learning to match that belief with effort and compassion, I’ve learned how to believe in myself. I want anyone who ever works with Dr. Khoshbouei to know is that if something is acting as a blockade to your professional success (be it doubt, fear, lack of direction, task difficulty,etc), just be honest with both her AND yourself. If you put in the effort to understand her perspective and seek to learn how you can accomplish what she knows you can, you will be met with a path forward without fail.
Douglas miller, PHD
I am deeply grateful and forever indebted to the mentorship Dr. Khoshbouei has provided me. been the singular most important person in my career path. When I first met her during the recruitment week, the interaction was magnetic. We were introduced at the Department of Neuroscience recruitment luncheon where we fed off the excitement and energy of each other. Then we continued our academic discussions upstairs by her lab at each poster representing the unique and novel directions the lab was exploring. Upon returning to the Department presentation (albeit a bit late - and well worth it), she immediately informed the concentration director her intent to recruit me. The feeling of that moment has yet to be surpassed, for she saw in me potential and was already committed to ensuring my future success in graduate school. Throughout the training experience, she tailored everything to nurturing my curiosity, interest, and potential. The projects on which I worked were just hard enough to ensure I would never give up while feeling the success when they eventually worked. Her expertise in developing a training plan that built my strengths while minimizing my faults, which there are quite a lot of, provided me the skillset to be successful at every step of my career path. If it was not for her, I would not have achieved all that I have and will have for the rest of my life. I can never possibly express how much her mentorship and certainly friendship mean to me and how I will never forget all the laughter, tears, successes, and failures we shared together. Because of her, I am a better person in every way.
cARRISA hANSEN
I have been blessed with the opportunity to work as an undergraduate researcher and research technician in the lab of Dr. Habibeh Khoshbouei. During my time in her lab, I have learned countless techniques (including wet lab, animal husbandry, data analysis), helped author six publications, and presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium my junior year. These skills have allowed me to excel in my years after departing from her lab as I spent a year at Columbia University as a technician in the lab of Dr. Rui Costa and currently working towards my PhD at Duke University in the lab of Dr. Henry Yin. The teachings of Dr. Khoshbouei and the lab has provided the foundation for my graduate work here at Duke, focusing on the midbrain dopaminergic pathways in reward and movement. As there is an abundance more to say about her skills as a PI, I would like to note how wonderful of a mentor and friend she is. She dutifully cares about her lab and work but also sincerely cares about her students as well. Often, she would frequent the lab and not ask about research but sit and inquire about one's day and how their family is doing. Her door was always open to talk and in my time there I developed a sense of belonginess and confidence that I will forever be grateful for. Dr. Khoshbouei has a heart beyond words, and I often think back to my time in her lab and how blessed I am to have known her and worked with her.
Abeer Dagra, MD
My time in Dr. Khoshbouei’s lab was one of the most formative and meaningful chapters of my life. From the very beginning, Khoshbouei created an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and kindness were inseparable from science. She encouraged me to ask deeper questions — not just about experiments, but about purpose and perseverance. Working alongside her, I witnessed what true scientific mentorship looks like: a perfect balance of high expectations and unwavering support. Whether it was troubleshooting data late into the evening or celebrating a small victory in the lab, Dr. Khoshbouei was always there — fully present, guiding with both intellect and heart. She has an extraordinary ability to see potential before you see it in yourself. Her mentorship not only strengthened my skills as a researcher but profoundly shaped how I think as a physician. Much of how I approach my life and career today — with curiosity, empathy, and resilience — is a direct reflection of her influence. Dr. Khoshbouei has played a remarkable role in my journey, and I will always be grateful for the foundation she built in me. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and carrying forward the lessons I learned in her lab — both in science and in life.
Danielle O. Sambo, phd
Completing my PhD under the mentorship of Dr. Khoshbouei was not only foundational for my career as scientist, but my own personal development outside of science as well. Her dedication to her students is undeniable and undoubtably contributed to my success as a graduate student. The expectations were high but matched with unwavering support and enthusiastic encouragement. Her belief in me as a scientist built a confidence that empowered me to pursue opportunities I might otherwise have been hesitant to take on without her early mentorship. Beyond acting as an advisor, she was there for me at some of my most challenging moments in a way for which I will forever be grateful. She will always be my “science mom”, and I only hope to continue to make her proud.
Sophia Velasco
It's Sophia, your former research assistant who worked closely with Dr. Dagra on a-syn overexpression. I wanted to provide a life update and how I am doing lately! I received my white coat last week at UCF College of Medicine and began classes this week. I am so excited for this journey and grateful to have received your guidance. Along with exposing me to research and organizational skills, your career advice was invaluable. I enjoyed working with the Khoshbouei Lab and met brilliant people during my time there. In my time at UCF COM, I hope to encounter a mentor like you and to contribute to the field of medicine through research endeavors. I also wanted to thank you for taking the time in writing a letter of recommendation that I used for my medical school applications. I am beyond blessed and honored to be on this journey, and I wanted to express my gratitude for your support.