Dr. Naraine received his Ph.D. in Integrative Neuroscience in 2023 from a partnership program between Florida Atlantic University and Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. In his Ph.D. work, he proposed the first neuropharmacological target for the world’s most widely used herbicide, glyphosate. From 2023 to 2025, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Karolinska Institute, where he established an international collaboration and secured a prestigious grant to pursue development of a novel Parkinson’s therapeutic. He founded and currently chairs the Student Advocacy and Innovation Committee in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience which seeks student feedback as a catalyst for programmatic growth and change. 

Education

· Postdoctoral Fellowship at Karolinska Institute

· Ph.D. at Florida Atlantic University & Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (IMPRS)

· M.S. at Florida Atlantic University

· Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellowship at National Institutes of Health

· B.S. at Nova Southeastern University

My Story

Dr. Akshay Shailendra Naraine is of Indo-Caribbean descent, meaning his ancestors were brought from India to Guyana—then British Guiana—under colonial indentured labor practices. Despite the hardships of displacement and exploitation, his ancestors rose above their circumstances, becoming spiritual leaders, engineers, business owners, and contributors to their communities in many admirable ways. Dr. Naraine's ancestors helped build an independent Guyana as it became a rich diaspora of Indians, Africans, Portuguese, Chinese, and Native peoples.

Dr. Naraine's parents, Mr. Rabindra Naraine and Rev. Dr. Padmini Naraine, emigrated to Toronto, Canada during the political unrest in Guyana in the 1980s. In 1992, Mr. Naraine founded Naraine’s Bakery in Toronto, inspired by the original bakery established in Guyana by his father, Mr. Ghansham Naraine. Rev. Dr. Padmini Naraine pursued a path of holistic service, becoming a life and wellness coach, following the compassionate example of her mother, Mrs. Mohandai Persaud.

Born in Toronto, Dr. Naraine was deeply shaped by his parents’ dedication to community, health, and entrepreneurship. His grandmothers, Mrs. Mohandai Persaud and Mrs. Farida Khan-Naraine, played pivotal roles in his upbringing—teaching him through cultural cooking, card games, prayer, and sports. His siblings, Saira and Nick, have always been protective and encouraging—offering wisdom, support, and friendship through every stage of his journey.

From the age of two, Dr. Naraine was immersed in a spiritual environment that revealed a profound truth: unity in diversity. Surrounded by family members of various cultures and faiths, he learned that richness comes not from material wealth, but from connecting to the depth of who we are. This belief became the foundation of his personal and professional philosophy.

In his lab, these values are not just ideals—they are lived realities. All are welcome. All are accepted and respected. Dr. Naraine remains committed to the path he was raised on: one of unity, compassion, and understanding.

Dr. Naraine hopes this brief history serves as a reminder that our shared humanity transcends hardship—and that we are never truly alone. We can rise above any challenge when we remember that we are part of something greater, together.