Major Product/SVS:
Higher education; Medical research
Hobbies/Sports:
Reading and translating Persian poems; Doing yoga; Listening to music
Education Degrees:
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D. in Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh; Master of Science in Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh; Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology, San Jose State University
Affiliations Awards:
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Number Of Years In Profession:
16
Number Of Years In Current Position:
2
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her determination to explore the unknown and her ability to think outside of the box.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession after first going to school to become a doctor, but then working with patients who had Parkinson's disease. Researching this disease made her decide to change paths and go into stem cell research.
Extended Bio Profile:
Dr. Lavasani's proposed stem cell therapy concept is based upon the ability of transplanted stem cells to provide functional recovery by reducing tissue degeneration and scar formation, while promoting regeneration via growth factor secretion.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Doing multidisciplinary research exploring the use of post-natal muscle-derived stem cell transplantation to enhance axonal and glial regeneration, and provide functional recovery to peripheral nervous system injuries in murine experimental models; Teaching undergraduate and graduate students stem cell biology; Working on an anti-aging formula with stem cells
Awards/Honors:
New Investigator Recognition Award, 53rd Annual ORS Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society (2007); First Place, Scientific Retreat Poster Contest for Cellular Therapies, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (2007); Chancellor's Outstanding Student, University of Pittsburgh; New Investigator Recognition Award Candidate, 51st Annual ORS Meeting (2005); Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, University of Pittsburgh, Bioengineering Department (2005)
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Dr. Lavasani will be leading a group of scientists in new discoveries, using adult stem cells.