Mitra Lavasani, PhD

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My Lab

Studying the relationship between adult stem/progenitor cell dysfunction and age-related degeneration.

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About Me

Dr. Mitra Lavasani is a Research Scientist at Shirley Ryan Abilitylab and an Associate Professor at Northwestern University in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. For over twenty-five years, her career has been dedicated to regenerative medicine research, making fundamental discoveries on the restorative effects of murine and human multipotent adult stem cells. Her work has identified mechanisms to activate regenerative pathways, restore healthy tissue structure and improve motor function in models of neuromusculoskeletal injury and age-related diseases. Since joining Shirley Ryan Abilitylab in the spring of 2015, her studies continue to focus on mechanisms of aging, longevity and neuromusculoskeletal rejuvenation. As a leader in the field of geroscience, her overall objective is to develop novel therapeutic methods to improve healthspan and ameliorate neurodegeneration associated with human disease, injury, and aging. Her laboratory is an interdisciplinary environment dedicated to scientific innovation and clinical translation.

Location

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

355 East Erie

Chicago, IL 60611

Education & Training

Education

1991 – 1998

Bachelor of Science/Molecular Biology and Systems Physiology, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

2003 – 2005

Master of Science/Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

2005 – 2008

PhD./Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Fellowship

2008 – 2010

Stem Cell Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine/Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Recent Publications

Sex-specific preservation of neuromuscular function and metabolism following systemic transplantation of multipotent adult stem cells in a murine model of progeria.

Thompson SD, Barrett KL, Rugel CL, Redmond R, Rudofski A, Kurian J, Curtin JL, Dayanidhi S, Lavasani M

GeroScience

doi: 10.1007/s11357-023-00892-5

Systemic Transplantation of Adult Multipotent Stem Cells Functionally Rejuvenates Aged Articular Cartilage.

Thompson SD, Pichika R, Lieber RL, Budinger GRS, Lavasani M

Aging and disease

doi: 10.14336/AD.2020.1118

Systemic transplantation of adult multipotent stem cells prevents articular cartilage degeneration in a mouse model of accelerated ageing.

Thompson SD, Pichika R, Lieber RL, Lavasani M

Immunity & ageing : I & A

doi: 10.1186/s12979-021-00239-8

mTOR signaling plays a critical role in the defects observed in muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells isolated from a murine model of accelerated aging.

Takayama K, Kawakami Y, Lavasani M, Mu X, Cummins JH, Yurube T, Kuroda R, Kurosaka M, Fu FH, Robbins PD, Niedernhofer LJ, Huard J

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society

doi: 10.1002/jor.23409

Honors & Awards

The Sarah Baskin Outstanding Research Award
Junior Physicians and Scientists category for best manuscript, 2020
New Investigator Recognition Award Candidate
Orthopedic Research Society, 2005
New Investigator Recognition Award Recipient
Orthopedic Research Society, 2007