Susanne E. Ahmari, MD, PhD, will receive the Carnegie Science Award for Emerging Female Scientist for her work in understanding the mechanisms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).  Ahmari, an assistant professor of psychiatry, was among the first to use optogenetics, a technique which allows neurons to be controlled by flashes of light, to uncover mechanisms of psychiatric disease. (Her work was recently featured on the BBC program, Horizon. Queue the episode, OCD: A Monster in My Mind, at 47:37 to see how Ahmari uses optogenetic stimulation to activate neurons.)

Carnegie Science Center established the Carnegie Science Awards program in 1997 to recognize and promote outstanding science and technology achievements in western Pennsylvania.  Eaton has supported Carnegie Science Awards for more than a decade as presenting sponsor. Chevron is the Awards’ prime sponsor. Ahmari and other awardees will be honored during a formal celebration at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland on Friday, May 6.