How I found my research: Naaima Zaharah examines genetic vulnerabilities in alcohol use disorder

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Naaima Zaharah came to college knowing that she wanted to conduct research in the field of genetics. She hoped she would be able to find the opportunity. At Virginia Commonwealth University, she has.

Zaharah, a third-year psychology major in the College of Humanities and Sciences, is exploring the neurocognitive and affective processes involved in addiction, especially alcohol use disorders.

"Through this work, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of early cognitive and emotional vulnerabilities associated with alcohol use disorders, which may ultimately inform prevention and intervention strategies," said Zaharah, who is being mentored by Séverine Lannoy, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, part of the VCU School of Medicine,.

Zaharah will be among the hundreds of VCU undergraduates to present their work at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in April in Richmond. Zaharah's long-term goal is to pursue graduate training and become a research-focused experimental psychologist.

VCU News asked Zaharah to share what drives her interest in research and what it has taught her so far.

In two sentences, tell us the focus of your research ... and why it is important/impactful for all of us.

My research examines whether impairments in executive functioning, especially inhibitory control, are linked to genetic and familial risk for alcohol use disorder. By integrating polygenic risk scores, family history and environmental factors, I aim to understand whether cognitive control deficits may reflect inherited vulnerability mechanisms rather than solely the effects of chronic alcohol exposure.

What inspired you to pursue this line of research?

I want to become a research-focused experimental psychologist, with primary interests in neurocognition and genetics. Growing up with a family history of mental health vulnerabilities, including addiction, I became curious about how genetics may influence cognitive impairments and social functioning.

Before my undergraduate studies, I had limited research experience; in high school, I conducted research on genetic vulnerabilities and DNA biomarkers, which fueled my interest in genetics. But my work was very limited and I remember feeling like I wanted to learn and do more.

As an undergraduate, I sought a lab that would allow me to explore my research interests in depth, and I was immediately drawn to Séverine Lannoy's lab and the CAGE (Cognition, Alcohol, Genetic, and Environment) study. After joining the lab, I was able to conduct my own research using CAGE datasets very quickly, largely due to Dr. Lannoy's support and flexibility.

Through conducting literature reviews for CAGE, I noticed a gap in research exploring genetic risk factors in alcohol use disorders and their relation to executive and affective functioning. Recognizing that our lab had the appropriate data to address this gap, I became excited to explore this topic further and am currently investigating these relationships in my own research.

Tell us about a surprise in your research journey.

One surprising aspect of my research journey was discovering how vast and rigorous the scientific literature can be on topics I am personally curious about. Reading articles that directly address questions I once wondered about made me appreciate the intellectual complexity of research and the collaborative nature of scientific discovery. It also changed the way I approach questions, teaching me to think more critically about evidence, methodology and gaps in the literature.

It has been incredibly fulfilling to contribute to this ongoing discussion through my own work examining genetic vulnerabilities in alcohol use disorder, which may help future research directions.

Naaima Zaharah said she finds the process of uncovering patterns and contributing to a deeper understanding of complex psychological conditions to be a compelling experience. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you had to overcome in your work.

One challenge I encountered during my research was learning how to conduct my own statistical analyses. I initially had limited experience with statistical software, and navigating coding and data analysis was unfamiliar to me. With guidance from my mentor, Dr. Lannoy, I gradually learned how to run different types of analyses and interpret what those results mean within the context of the research question.

Although I still encounter occasional challenges when working with complex datasets, this experience has helped me build confidence in statistical programming and strengthened my ability to approach data analysis more independently.

Is there a memorable partnership or lesson you've embraced along the way?

A particularly meaningful part of my research experience has been working with Dr. Lannoy. She has been incredibly supportive throughout my research journey and has played a significant role in helping me grow as a researcher.

Through her mentorship, I have gained valuable experience in conducting literature reviews, developing research questions, and navigating data analysis. Being able to collaborate with her has been both rewarding and motivating, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had in her lab. I hope to continue building on this work and further developing my research skills in the future.

What do you find fulfilling about the research process?

Definitely the findings! The process of uncovering patterns and contributing to deeper understanding of complex psychological conditions is definitely compelling. I also think presenting what I learned through my research at different conferences or with colleagues builds on discussion and advances the topic on vulnerabilities/risk in alcohol use disorder.

Being able to connect empirical findings to real-world implications for prevention and treatment is especially rewarding.

What advice would you offer undergrads to kick-start their own research journeys?

Stay curious and don't be intimidated by the complexity of the process. Research can be challenging at times, but it is also an incredibly rewarding experience that allows you to explore questions you genuinely care about. Building strong relationships with mentors and collaborators, reading widely, and being willing to learn through trial and error are all important parts of the process.

I would also encourage students to spend time identifying the topics that truly interest them. While exploring different research areas can be valuable early on, developing a consistent focus can help you build deeper connections with your work and contribute more meaningfully to a specific area of study.