Biography

Dr. Sulman J. Rahmat is a Tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy. He received a Ph.D. from the Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM). His research involves vascular injections and microdissection of the brains of numerous vertebrate taxa in order to demonstrate brainstem vascular supply and evaluate the blood supply to specific neurons. Dr. Rahmat uses numerous imaging techniques, including fluorescent confocal microscopy and microCT. He authored the most complete survey on vertebrate hindbrain vasculature to date, examining the carotid-basilar arterial tree and hindbrain penetrating branches. The series of midline segmental central arterial stems arising from the basilar artery and the intramural vascular branching pattern within the sub-ependymal zone of the hindbrain found in teleosts points to new areas of neuro-anatomical and embryological studies that he is currently pursuing. Dr. Rahmat is involved in collaborative studies with scientists within Howard University and outside of Howard (multiple collaborators from Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, Cornell University, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Calvert Marine Museum and American Museum of Natural History). Dr. Rahmat uses his background in anatomy and neuroanatomy to continue research in developmental and evolutionary biology. He currently is examining: 1) the neuronal and vascular development of the hindbrain in vertebrates, working primarily on the model teleosts goldfish and zebrafish; 2) correlating the osteology of seals (fossil and modern) and carnivorans (terrestrial and marine) with ecological, biogeographical and morphological implications; and 3) morphology of the hearing apparatuses of pinnipeds. His work on fossil true seals (Phocidae) includes identifying the first record of fossil Cystophorine seals with obvious pachyosteosclerotic bones, describing and naming multiple new taxa, correlating mandibular morphology with dietary specializations, and clarifying contentious phylogenetic relationships. Dr. Rahmat has advised numerous Masters and PhD students in his research laboratory, with all advancing to successful academic and research careers. Dr. Rahmat has authored many peer-reviewed publications, presented research at international scientific conferences, and is the Principle Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on multiple extramural grants.