Mitra Esfandiarei, Ph.D.

The research in my laboratory is in two main areas:

1) Genetic aortic aneurysm in a mouse model: We aim to understand the underlying mechanisms contributing to the progression of aortic aneurysm and other central and peripheral arteries in human patients and well‐established models of the condition. We use a genetic model of aortic aneurysm to understand the signaling pathways involved in aneurysm progression and other vascular complications, while looking at the potential protective effects of various treatments or interventions such as blood pressure and lipid lowering drugs (e.g., losartan, atenolol), mild aerobic exercise, diet, or general inhibitors of metalloproteinases (e.g., doxycycline) on the progression of aortic root growth in the mouse model.

2) Cardiac and vascular Complications in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI): My laboratory is also interested in understanding the role of endothelial dysfunction especially in peripheral and cerebral vasculature during the development of neurological anomalies in human and a connective tissue disorder mouse model subjected to TBI. We also study the effects of various interventions such as exercise, diet, and pharmacological agents on the severity of neurovascular injury post TBI. This project is in collaboration with Dr. Theresa Currier-Thomas at Phoenix Children's Hospital and University of Arizona. The ongoing projects in my laboratory encompass various techniques in the field of cell & molecular biology, physiology, histopathology, pharmacology, in vivo and ex vivo animal studies, high resolution ultrasound imaging, and confocal microscopy.