Niyana KoKo Rasayon is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of the District of Columbia with a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology/Behavioral Neuroscience from Howard University. Her research interests include melanin’s antiviral effects, neuroscience, and brain health in melanin-dominant populations, and she is also a Diplomate and Board Certified Fellow in Afrikan Psychology.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Neuropsychology:Behavioral Neuroscience, Howard University Master of Arts in Clinical-Community Psychology, Fisk University Bachelor of Scinece in Psychology, Minor in Biology, North Carolina A & T State University
Roles
Diplomate CAC/Board Certified Fellow in Afrikan Psychology,The Association of Black Psychologists, 2008-Present Member, Editorial Board, the Journal of Mental Health & Social Behavior, 2018-Present
Courses Taught
Introduction to Neuroscience Abnormal Psychology Psychology of Multicultural Relations Principles of Psychology Human Sexuality Psychology of Racism Social Psychology
Expertise
Past Supervisor of the Clinical Service & Intervention Team at the National Children's Center of Washington, D.C.
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Melanin’s antiviral effects and interventions to the COVID-19 pandemic; the intersection of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and pre-death awareness phenomenon; brain health in melanin-dominant populations; acquired brain injury syndromes in Black athletes and women in abusive relationships
Impact
Selected Publications
Moore, T. O., & Rasayon, N. (2021). Milieu relevance of melanin’s antiviral effects and interventions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Mental Health and Social Behavior, 3(1), 133. https://doi.org/10.33790/jmhsb1100133
Recognitions
Marcus Mosiah Garvey Outstanding Community Service Award, 2024 UDC Teaching Excellence Award, 2018
Invited Participations
Rasayon, N. (2023). Introducing neuroscience and artificial intelligence to the “Meet Joe Black” pre-death awareness phenomena.Dubai, UAE.
Rasayon, N. (2023). Brain health in melanin dominant humans: Acquired brain injury syndromes in Black athletes and women in abusive relationships.Dubai, UAE.
