Fanan Aboalrob: The Neuroscientist Turning Curiosity into Cure

When passion meets purpose, it creates impact, and for Fanan Aboalrob, that impact lies in decoding the human brain. From a young woman in Jordan with no research experience to an award-winning neuroscientist in the United States, her journey is a story of resilience, curiosity, and purpose. Today, she is redefining the way the world understands addiction and stress, using science not just as a discipline but as a bridge of hope.

“My goal has never been to follow others,” she says. “I want to inspire and connect through science, resilience, and purpose.”
When Fanan first came to the U.S., she had ambition but little research exposure. Her first meeting with Dr. John Johnson, Director of the School of Biomedical Sciences program she hoped to join, was insightful, he advised her to gain hands-on lab experience before applying. Instead of giving up, she volunteered in Dr. Mueller’s lab, dedicating long hours to mastering research work.
A year later, her persistence paid off. She was selected among the top applicants and began her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at Kent State University in August 2021. By 2023, she had become Lab Manager, mentoring undergraduate students who later joined top medical and graduate programs. “Watching my students grow into confident researchers has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey,” she shares.

Alongside research, Fanan serves as a Teaching Assistant for advanced anatomy courses, including Human Anatomy (cadaver-based) and Vertebrate Anatomy, sharpening her scientific and communication skills. She won the Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year award twice, as voted by her students.

At the heart of Fanan’s research is her quest to understand how early-life stress influences addiction vulnerability, especially during adolescence. Her work has already broken new ground. She co-authored “Fentanyl-induced reward seeking is sex- and dose-dependent and is prevented by D-cysteine ethylester,” published in Frontiers Journal, revealing that treatment with D-cysteine ethylester can prevent the development of fentanyl-induced reward seeking. She is also working on her first-author paper, soon to be submitted, titled “Acquisition of Fentanyl Seeking in Adolescence Following Maternal Separation is Sex- and Hormone-Dependent.”
Her upcoming dissertation, “Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Expression Correlates with Sex-Dependent Fentanyl Seeking in Adolescence Following Maternal Separation,” deepens this inquiry, offering hope for new therapeutic strategies.

“Addiction is not just a behavioral issue; it’s a biological and emotional one,” she explains. “If we understand its mechanisms, we can build more compassionate approaches to recovery.”

Fanan’s work has earned recognition worldwide. She was named Neuroscience Researcher of the Year at the FLUXX Conference in Doha (2025) and received the Best Speaker Award for The Power Feminine at the IDIAS Global Conference in Paris the same year. Her research excellence has also been honored with the Outstanding Oral Presentation (1st Place) at Kent State University’s Graduate Research Symposium (2022), the People’s Choice Award at the 3-Minute Thesis Competition (2024), and the Healthcare Award at Health 2.0 Dubai (2024). She has upcoming invitations to speak at Oxford University, UK, on May 2, 2026, and to receive the Young Leadership Award at the CX 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas on April 7, 2026. She has also presented her poster three times at the Society for Neuroscience (SFN), one of the largest neuroscience conferences, which hosts over 30,000 scientists from around the world.

Her ability to bring science to the public has also led to appearances on Al Jazeera and Roaya TV, where she discussed her research on the opioid crisis. “Science should not stay confined to labs,” she says. “It should reach people, heal them, and give them hope.”
Leadership, for Fanan, means lifting others. She describes her style as inclusive and empowering, one that values every voice. As one of her students once said, “She made me feel like a person rather than a number. I’m not an A student, but Fanan made me believe I could do it.”

“Mentorship is central to my work,” she reflects. “Helping others grow into confident thinkers gives me a sense of purpose beyond research.”

Despite her demanding career, Fanan finds balance through creativity and connection. She enjoys cooking Mediterranean dishes, swimming, yoga, and time with loved ones. “Cooking helps me relax and express creativity outside the lab,” she smiles. “It’s my way of sharing joy and culture.”

Fanan’s long-term vision extends beyond her research goals. She dreams of establishing her own independent research program that focuses on the neurobiological and hormonal interactions underlying stress-related psychiatric disorders. Equally important to her is mentoring young scientists, especially women in STEM, and inspiring them to break barriers.

“Curiosity and persistence are your greatest tools,” she advises. “Science may challenge you, but every step, no matter how small, contributes to something bigger.”

From Jordan to Ohio, from curiosity to discovery, Fanan Aboalrob’s story is more than a tale of scientific pursuit, it’s a story of purpose, empowerment, and unwavering resilience. As she continues to unravel the mysteries of the brain, one thing is certain: the world will be hearing a lot more from this brilliant mind who believes in turning science into a bridge between understanding and hope.