Graduate student, Research Assistant
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
My name is Rasa Khodavirdilou, DVM, and I am a PhD candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo, Texas. My research is focused on neuroscience, particularly on SH-SY5Y neuronal cell models of ischemia and oxidative stress, where I study mechanisms of inflammation, neuroprotection, and potential therapeutic strategies.
I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Iran, before moving to the United States to pursue advanced research training. In my current work, I use molecular, cellular, and pharmacological techniques such as qPCR, neurite outgrowth assays, and RNA-based analyses to explore pathways involved in neurodegenerative processes.
Beyond the lab, I am passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research that connects basic science with clinical application. My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of innovative treatments for neurological disorders.