Robert A Rifkin, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of NeurologyDownloadHi-Res Photo
Cards
Training
Epilepsy Fellow
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2025)
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2025)
Clinical Neurophysiology Fellow
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2024)
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2024)
Resident
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2023)
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2023)
Education
MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
PhD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Biomedical Science
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Biomedical Science
About
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Titles
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Biography
Robert A. Rifkin MD, PhD is Assistant Professor of Neurology in the Section of Epilepsy at Yale School of Medicine. He specializes in adult epilepsy, and specifically drug-resistant epilepsy and tumor-related epilepsy. He completed Neurology residency, and fellowships in Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He earned his MD and PhD degrees from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His research has been supported by F30 and R25 grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, respectively. His research has focused on the role of inwardly-rectifying potassium channels in addiction and epilepsy.
Last Updated on August 09, 2025.
Appointments
Neurology
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Epilepsy Fellow
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2025)
- Clinical Neurophysiology Fellow
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2024)
- Resident
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2023)
- Intern
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center (2020)
- MD
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- PhD
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Biomedical Science
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Drug Resistant Epilepsy; Potassium Channels
ORCID
0000-0002-3947-257X
Research at a Glance
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Robert A Rifkin's research output by year.
15Publications
266Citations
Publications
Featured Publications
A selective small-molecule agonist of G protein-gated inwardly-rectifying potassium channels reduces epileptiform activity in mouse models of tumor-associated and provoked seizures
Rifkin R, Wu X, Pereira B, Gill B, Merricks E, Michalak A, Goldberg A, Humala N, Dovas A, Rai G, McKhann G, Slesinger P, Canoll P, Schevon C. A selective small-molecule agonist of G protein-gated inwardly-rectifying potassium channels reduces epileptiform activity in mouse models of tumor-associated and provoked seizures. Neuropharmacology 2024, 265: 110259. PMID: 39662702, PMCID: PMC11726401, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110259.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMouse modelInwardly-rectifying potassium channelRegulation of neuronal excitabilityMouse models of tumorsSeizure-like activityGIRK channelsNeuronal excitabilityModels of tumorsPeritumoral regionEpileptiform activityTumor-associatedTumor progressionAntiseizure medicationsPotassium channelsChronic epilepsyFocal seizuresAnimal modelsTumorBrain tumorsGIRKInadequate treatmentGlioma cellsMiceSeizuresChemoconvulsant modelsGIRK currents in VTA dopamine neurons control the sensitivity of mice to cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization
Rifkin R, Huyghe D, Li X, Parakala M, Aisenberg E, Moss S, Slesinger P. GIRK currents in VTA dopamine neurons control the sensitivity of mice to cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2018, 115: e9479-e9488. PMID: 30228121, PMCID: PMC6176583, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807788115.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsVentral tegmental areaVentral tegmental area dopamine neuronsCocaine-induced locomotor sensitizationDopamine neuronsLocomotor sensitizationVTA dopamine neuronsSubstantia nigra pars compactaGIRK currentsG-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium channelsCocaine addictionReward circuitTegmental areaGIRK channelsEndosomal adaptor proteinTreat addictionGIRK3 subunitsNeural circuitsInwardly rectifying potassium channelsRectifying potassium channelsDopamineGABAAddictionSpike firingSource of inhibitionGIRKG Protein-Gated Potassium Channels: A Link to Drug Addiction
Rifkin R, Moss S, Slesinger P. G Protein-Gated Potassium Channels: A Link to Drug Addiction. Trends In Pharmacological Sciences 2017, 38: 378-392. PMID: 28188005, PMCID: PMC5368012, DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2017.01.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAddictive drugsBehavioral response to psychostimulantsResponse to psychostimulantsGIRK channelsTreating drug abuseAddictive behaviorsDrug addictionReward systemRegulation of neuronal excitabilityDrug abusePsychostimulantsAddictionDevelopment of therapiesDrug exposureNeuronal excitabilityGIRKKnockout miceBrainSurface expressionMultiple cell typesSubcellular mechanismsCocaineCell typesMethamphetamineDrugA Role for the GIRK3 Subunit in Methamphetamine-Induced Attenuation of GABAB Receptor-Activated GIRK Currents in VTA Dopamine Neurons
Munoz M, Padgett C, Rifkin R, Terunuma M, Wickman K, Contet C, Moss S, Slesinger P. A Role for the GIRK3 Subunit in Methamphetamine-Induced Attenuation of GABAB Receptor-Activated GIRK Currents in VTA Dopamine Neurons. Journal Of Neuroscience 2016, 36: 3106-3114. PMID: 26985023, PMCID: PMC4792929, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1327-15.2016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAnimals, NewbornBaclofenDopamine AgentsDopaminergic NeuronsFemaleG Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium ChannelsGABA-B Receptor AgonistsHomeodomain ProteinsIn Vitro TechniquesMaleMembrane PotentialsMethamphetamineMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, TransgenicReceptors, GABA-BTime FactorsTranscription FactorsTyrosine 3-MonooxygenaseVentral Tegmental AreaConceptsVentral tegmental area DA neuronsVentral tegmental areaExposure to psychostimulantsDA neuronsGIRK3 subunitsVentral tegmental area dopamine neuronsRepeated exposure to psychostimulantsExposure to addictive drugsExcitation of DA neuronsGABAB receptorsReward neural circuitryMesolimbic dopamine systemG-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassiumGIRK currentsLocomotor sensitizationMesocorticolimbic dopamineMethamphetamine-inducedPsychostimulant exposureReward circuitDopamine systemReward pathwayTegmental areaD1R-likeAddictive drugsAddictive behaviors
2020
Reducing Food Insecurity through Personalized Interventions at the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership
Dembar A, Mell A, Hsieh V, Chandrasekan S, Rifkin R, Thomas D, Meah Y. Reducing Food Insecurity through Personalized Interventions at the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership. Journal Of Student-Run Clinics 2020, 6 DOI: 10.59586/jsrc.v6i1.123.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsEast Harlem Health Outreach PartnershipFood insecurityReduce food insecurityPre- and post-intervention scoresContinuity of carePost-intervention scoresFood Security SurveyUnstable living conditionsFree clinicWilcoxon signed-rank testEast HarlemStudent-runSigned-rank testPersonalized interventionsIndividualized protocolSecurity SurveyInterventionClinical settingWork schedulesLiving conditionsInsecurityIndividual patientsUnited States DepartmentAggregate dataPartnership
2019
Improving Student Clinicians’ Documentation of Lifestyle Modification
Chen I, Jin D, Rifkin R, Chandrasekaran S, Leader A, Thomas D, Meah Y. Improving Student Clinicians’ Documentation of Lifestyle Modification. Journal Of Student-Run Clinics 2019, 5 DOI: 10.59586/jsrc.v5i1.52.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEast Harlem Health Outreach PartnershipStudent-run free clinicElectronic medical recordsIntervention 1Intervention 2Health goalsDocumentation ratesLifestyle modificationFree clinicBurden of chronic diseaseElectronic medical record templatesRates of documentationPatient characteristicsQuasi-experimental studyPeriod of interventionClinician documentationIcahn School of MedicineDocumented discussionClinical encountersPatient visitsUninsured patientsSchool of MedicineChronic diseasesGoal discussionsMedical records
2018
Benefits of a Physician-Scientist-Tailored Curriculum at a Medical Student-Run Free Clinic
Laitman B, Chandrasekaran S, Rifkin R, Barnum K, Thomas D, Meah Y. Benefits of a Physician-Scientist-Tailored Curriculum at a Medical Student-Run Free Clinic. Medical Science Educator 2018, 29: 9-10. PMID: 34457440, PMCID: PMC8368602, DOI: 10.1007/s40670-018-00668-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricExploring Antidepressant Adherence at a Student-Run Free Mental Health Clinic
Mann C, Rifkin R, Nabel E, Thomas D, Meah Y, Katz C. Exploring Antidepressant Adherence at a Student-Run Free Mental Health Clinic. Community Mental Health Journal 2018, 55: 57-62. PMID: 30062631, DOI: 10.1007/s10597-018-0301-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEast Harlem Health Outreach PartnershipNew York StateMental healthStudent-runNew York State MedicaidAcute treatment phaseMental health clinicsLow treatment ratesHEDIS criteriaMH clinicsAntidepressant adherenceHealth clinicsPhysician notesDepression treatmentAdherence ratesMeasure adherenceLow adherencePharmacy dataTreatment phaseTreatment ratesInsurance providersAdherenceMinority groupsMedicaidClinic
2017
Strengthening value-based medication management in a free clinic for the uninsured: Quality interventions aimed at reducing costs and enhancing adherence
Arao R, O'Connor M, Barrett T, Chockalingam L, Khan F, Kumar A, Leader A, Leven E, Power J, Shuham B, Rifkin R, Thomas D, Meah Y, Shah B. Strengthening value-based medication management in a free clinic for the uninsured: Quality interventions aimed at reducing costs and enhancing adherence. BMJ Open Quality 2017, 6: e000069. PMID: 29450274, PMCID: PMC5699148, DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2017-000069.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsSafety net clinicsNet clinicsFree clinicPatient adherence to medication regimensProvider-based interventionsAdherence to medication regimensPrimary care clinicsCost of prescription medicationsQuality improvement initiativesOut-of-pocket costsAutomated text messaging systemPharmacy costsText messaging systemImprove patient adherencePartnership clinicsCare clinicsIcahn School of MedicineRefill remindersMedication adherenceMedication refillsImprovement initiativesUninsured adultsQuality interventionsPrescription medicationsEast HarlemContaining Prescription Drug Costs at a Resource-Limited, Student-Run Clinic for the Uninsured
Batra J, Xu H, Rifkin R, Wang A, Atteberry P, Thomas D, Meah Y. Containing Prescription Drug Costs at a Resource-Limited, Student-Run Clinic for the Uninsured. Journal Of Student-Run Clinics 2017, 3 DOI: 10.59586/jsrc.v3i1.59.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsFree clinicImprove health care outcomesEvidence-basedHealth care outcomesStudent-run clinicsOut-of-pocket costsIncrease medication adherenceDrug costsDrug Assistance ProgramMedication to patientsCare outcomesPrescription drug costsPrescription drug coverageMedication adherenceClinical evidence-baseOutcome disparitiesSignificant financial burdenPrescription medicationsStudent-runUninsured patientsInsured counterpartsMedication copaymentsTesting suppliesCoverage programFinancial burden
Clinical Care
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Overview
Clinical Specialties
Epilepsy & Seizures
Board Certifications
Neurology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
- Original Certification Date
- 2023
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