Pharmacology & Toxicology

Ashraf was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he spent most of the time with his big family. Ashraf earned a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree from King Abdulaziz University, Jeedah/Saudi Arabia. After graduation, he Joined the faculty of pharmacy as a teaching assistant in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and he received an award of full scholarship from his university to continue his graduate education.

Ashraf joined UTMB in 2009, as a graduate student in Pharmacology & Toxicology Ph.D program. After completing several laboratory rotations in different research areas, he decided to work in Dr. Fernanda Laezza's lab. His research primarily focuses on the neuroscience, with an emphasis on the role of the intracellular fibroblast growth factor 14 (iFGF14) in regulating the inhibitory circuit in important regions of the brain, and how that can be significant in order to better understand the pathophysiology of some psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.

Ashraf is married and has two beautiful daughters. He likes to travel, besides spending his free time with family and friends

Email: aasamark@utmb.edu

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