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Faculty Profile

Anthony Ariza

PhD, MSc, BSc

Assistant Professor, Bachelor of Science – Biomedical Sciences

Picture of Anthony A

Email: Anthony.ariza@unfc.ca

Anthony Ariza is an assistant professor and research scientist with more than a decade of international experience in pre-clinical research and university teaching, complemented by a strong background in genetics, neuroscience, and molecular biology.

He holds a PhD in Medical Sciences from Nagoya University and a Master of Science in Neurosciences. Before joining University of Niagara Falls Canada, Anthony worked as a research associate and academic advisor at the University of Toronto.

His work focuses on bridging the gap between groundbreaking basic science and clinical research, specifically exploring the molecular mechanisms contributing to the decline of learning and memory post-anesthesia and surgery.

Anthony has a track record of publishing high-impact research in top-tier scientific journals and has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences.

Courses taught

Human biology, anatomy and physiology, molecular biology, genetics

Areas of academic interest

Biomedical sciences, neurological disorders

Areas of specialization

Neuroscience, molecular biology

Awards

  • Funding for Research. Sunnybrook Hurvitz Brain Sciences Summer Student Research Program (2022-2023) 
  • Recipient of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for graduate students. Nagoya University (2013-2019).  
  • Best Presentation Award, Kerman Associate School of Neuroscience IBRO APRC (2017). 
  • Recipient of the IBRO LARC Travel Grants for FALAN Congress 2012. Mexico (2012). 
  • Award of Research supplies for use in the applicant’s home laboratory. International Society for Neurochemistry, CAEN (2010) 

Publications

  • Dian-Shi Wang, Li Ju, Arsène G Pinguelo, Anthony Ariza, et al. (2024). Crosstalk between GABAA receptors in astrocytes and neurons triggered by general anesthetic drugs. Translational Research. 267: 39-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trsl.2023.11.007  
  • Anthony Ariza, Setareh Malekian Naeini, et al. (2023). Cell-surface biotinylation of GABAA receptors in mouse hippocampal slices after sevoflurane anesthesia. STAR Protocols. 4(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102450 
  • Shahin Khodaei, Anthony Ariza, et al. (2022). The impact of inflammation and general anesthesia on memory and executive function in mice. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 136(5): 999-1011. DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006221 
  • Anthony Ariza, Yasuhiro Funahashi, et al. (2021). Dynamic subcellular localization and transcription activity of the SRF cofactor MKL2 is regulated by MAPK in the striatum. Journal of Neurochemistry. 157(6): 1774-1788. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15303 
  • Yasuhiro Funahashi, Anthony Ariza, Ryosuke Emi, et al. (2019). Phosphorylation of Npas4 by MAPK regulates reward-related gene expression and behaviors. 29(10) P3235-3252.E9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.116 

Conference Presentations: 

  • Ariza, A. (2023). NMDA receptor antagonist Ketamine regulates cell-surface α5GABAA receptors in hippocampal neurons. 16th Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, Montreal, Canada 
  • Ariza, A. (2022). A novel peptide targets radixin to reduce activity of α5GABAA receptors in mice. 15th Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, Toronto, Canada 
  • Ariza, A. (2022). Targeting a memory-blocking protein to treat post-operative neurocognitive deficits. Research In Progress Webinar – Shields Day, Toronto, Canada 
  • Ariza, A. (2020). Phosphorylation of transcription factors regulate reward-related behavior. Lecture in the Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada 
  • Ariza, A. (2019). MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of MKL2 regulates nuclear localization and transcriptional activity in striatal neurons. Neuroscience 2019, Chicago, United States of America 
  • Ariza, A. (2018). Phosphorylation of MKL2 by MAPK downstream Dopamine receptors regulates nuclear localization and transcriptional activity in striatal neurons. 18th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Kyoto, Japan 
  • Ariza, A. (2017). MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of NPAS4 regulates BDNF promoter activity by modulating its interaction with CBP. 9th NAGOYA Global Retreat, Nagoya, Japan 
  • Ariza, A. (2016). MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of NPAS4 regulates BDNF promoter activity by modulating its interaction with CBP. 8th NAGOYA Global Retreat, Nagoya, Japan 
  • Ariza, A. (2015). How our brains make us who we are and why we must study them. Small World Coffee Hour, Nagoya, Japan