ABQ Times

Mubarak Hussain Syed, an assistant professor of Biology at The University of New Mexico, has been honored with the Elizabeth D. Hay New Investigator Award by the Society for Developmental Biology. This award, established in 2017, acknowledges significant research contributions in developmental biology by early-career investigators. According to the society, nominees must have conducted work and published it within 12 years of earning their Ph.D. or equivalent degree, while holding a tenure-track assistant professor position. The evaluation criteria include originality, independence from mentors, and the research's impact on the wider developmental biology field.

Syed’s research is centered on developmental neuroscience, exploring the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate neural diversity from stem cells to neural circuits. His work aims to unravel key principles of nervous system development and contribute insights towards understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, ADHD, and autism. The research conducted in his lab utilizes fruit flies to study how neural stem cells develop brain structures and the ways in which development influences neural cell types, circuits, and behaviors. Beyond his research, Syed is also involved in training and mentoring students at the high school and undergraduate levels.

Reflecting on this award, Syed expressed, “I have been studying developmental neuroscience for over 15 years, and the Society for Developmental Biology is close to me, many of my role models and mentors are part of this community. It is a true honor to get this recognition and present our work at the upcoming Society for Developmental Biology conference.” He further acknowledged the contributions of his lab researchers, collaborators, and mentors, stating, “This recognition is all due to them."

Syed is set to deliver an award lecture and receive the medal at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for Developmental Biology in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this June. In addition to the Elizabeth D. Hay award, Syed was also a recipient of the McKnight Scholar Award in 2024 and named a National Academy Kavli Fellow in 2025.