A neuroscientist at the University of Michigan, Huda Akil has had many achievements. She was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. And on Oct. 24, 2023, she received the highest award given to any U.S. scientist, the National Medal of Science from President Joe Biden.
“I have been very lucky to receive several awards and honors,” Akil said.
As of right now, Akil believes in communicating with the general public like middle school students, especially those who are struggling with brain disorders such as addiction and depression. She hopes to help them and their families as they cope with these illnesses.
“I think science is okay,” seventh grader Angela Oh said. “I do want to learn about it.”
Born in Damascus, Syria, Akil went to college in Beirut, Lebanon and came to the U.S. to get her PhD at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She has an American husband who is both a physician and a scientist (MD and PhD), and they have collaborated in their research for many years together. She has two grown children as well as three grandchildren.
Like anyone, Akil has hobbies that she likes to do during her free time.
“I like to read, cook, arrange flowers, and solve puzzles,” Akil said.
As a neuroscientist, Akil discovered that the brain can not only sense pain but block it as well. She was beginning her doctoral work (PhD) and had discovered this in her research while she was working in a lab that studied pain and how the brain perceives it. For her PhD thesis, she had asked what the brain did to block this pain. She and her research team discovered that the brain had a chemical that acted like opiates (such as morphine or heroin), that it could turn on and block feelings of pain. This work was the first evidence for chemicals that were later named “endorphins” (for endogenous morphine).
“We also showed that acute stress released endorphins,” Akil said. “This is because, if you are in a stressful situation (being chased by a bear), you need to escape and cope and not be distracted by pain. For example, you could run even if you hurt your foot and will feel the pain later when safe.”
This led her to study the biochemical relationship between stress and endorphins. In broader terms, she studied emotions in general, as well as two classes of brain disorders—drug addiction to opiates and other drugs and stress-related brain disorders. Depression is one of the most famous disorders caused by feeling chronically or extremely stressed. There are also anxiety disorders such as PTSD and others.
“My lab currently works to understand the brain biology and the genetics of these disorders, but also the biology of resilience against them—i.e. how to handle stress and not become anxious or depressed, but in a positive way,” Akil said.
As a child, Akil was always curious about how the mind worked, how we think and feel, and what makes us who we are.
“It was amazing for me to learn that people were beginning to study how the brain works and that this organ is the one responsible for all these functions,” Akil said. “So, I wanted to spend my life learning about the brain and sharing that knowledge with others.”
Very well known for her research in brain disorders, her research has led to a greater understanding of how we have the ability to fight the negative feelings and moods with positive factors that are present in our brains. She and her research team had discovered that we have resilience factors within us that help block anxiety and depression.
“We need to learn to harness those,” Akil said. “The other impact comes from training other scientists, who themselves make discoveries, expand knowledge, but also treat patients. I am very proud of them.”
As a researcher, Akil is always working hard on her research. Currently, she is working both in animals and in humans on understanding the factors that shape vulnerability and resilience to stress disorders and addiction.
“What makes some people more likely to get depressed or addicted?” Akil said. “How much of it is genetic, how much comes from the home environment or events during childhood and adolescence, and how can things be changed to enhance resilience and diminish the odds of becoming either depressed or addicted, no matter the genetics or the home background? We are making really good progress in understanding biology and in showing that resilience can be induced even in individuals who have a high genetic risk for these disorders.”
As a neuroscientist researcher, mother, wife, and grandma, Akil has been very successful throughout her career. She has won prestigious awards and is researching science critical for humans. She is a wonderful neuroscientist and still works hard to help others.
“Keep your mind as open as possible,” Akil said. “Young people have an open mind. They are curious, willing to consider different options and explanations. Many people become more rigid or set in their ways when they get older. But a good scientist tries to avoid that.”
Akil said that remaining open to ideas, flexible in interpretation, and curious about the world is what a good scientist tries to accomplish.
“Embrace failure,” Akil said. “A good scientist learns that failure is a good part of the process. It teaches us as much, if not more, as success. Imagine if someone wanted to be an Olympic-level ice skater but never wanted to fall. You’d think they are ridiculous. If you are trying something new and daring, you are going to fall. Same for science. Failing is an opportunity to learn, to reframe and come up with new strategies, and try a new approach. And being comfortable with being wrong is incredibly freeing.”
Akil said that people spend so much energy proving they are right, that they did not make a mistake or miss something. If people are okay with being wrong, they can redirect that energy to having fun and learning new things.
“The truth matters,” Akil said. “Science is about discovering the truth—it’s not about being famous, or seeming brilliant. The truth can be complicated or messy, but it’s the only thing that holds up. In a time when there is a lot of misinformation, where people make up stuff to serve their point of view, looking at the evidence in as careful and honest a way as possible is more critical than ever. So, even if I find something I think is really exciting, my first thought is always—but is it actually true? Will it hold up if someone else tries it? Or should we come at it from a different angle?”
Akil has one last piece of advice.
“Have fun,” Akil said. “A life of science and discovery is a rich life. It’s important to stop and enjoy it. I am incredibly grateful for it.”
