Azita Kouchmeshky, PhD

Postdoc

Prof. Kaveh Ashrafi, University of California, San Francisco

Pronouns: she/her

My educational and professional journey has been from clinical (bedside) to research practice (bench side). Although my basic science activities fulfill my curiosity, my clinical experience serves as prism through which I view my research activities, which ultimately imbues my research with a great sense of purpose and joy.
After obtaining a Pharm. D., I worked for several years as a pharmacist. Faced with numerous unmet clinical needs, I was drawn to scientific research. My transition into becoming a research scientist started with taking a position as a research assistant in a neuroscience lab. Recognizing the need for additional training, I then enrolled in a Master of Science program in neuropharmacology lab to investigate cross talk between GPCR and PDGF signaling pathways. Next, I conducted my PhD work by researching on retinoic acid receptors. I successfully set up several in vitro models to evaluate ligands and small molecules binding retinoid acid receptors in pathways relevant to neurodegeneration. Therefore, I have amassed a significant deal of knowledge, expertise, and interest in neurosciences and specifically in neurodegeneration. These interests and skillsets led me to embark on postdoctoral training. My postdoctoral project investigates the neural circuits that regulate learning and memory using C. elegans as the experimental system.