Afshin Beheshti as guest star at the Sapienza University of Rome
November 20th, 2024 at 10.30
Sala del Chiostro – Facoltà di Ingegneria Civile e Industriale in Rome (Via Eudossiana 18 – 00184 Roma)
CRAS (Centro Ricerche Aerospaziali Sapienza) and the Space Biomedicine Laboratory Sapienza University – Thales Alenia Space are delighted to present Professor Afshin Beheshti, who will give a speech about
“Mitochondrial Stress as Epicenter of Spaceflight Impact and microRNA as Promising Countermeasures“.
It is a special occasion to meet one of the greatest scientists in the field of Space Biomedicine research. As a matter of fact, Afshin Beheshti is the Director of the Space Biomedicine Program at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the Director of the Space Biomedicine Program at NASA Ames Research Center.
Greetings: Prof. Carlo Massimo Casciola (President of Facoltà Ingegneria Civile e Industriale)
The event will be presented by Prof. Francesco Nasuti (Director of CRAS)
Introduction: Prof. Mariano Bizzarri (Director of Space Biomedicine Laboratory Sapienza – TASI)
Moderator: Ing. Mario Cosmo (ASI Scientific Director)
Afshin Beheshti Biographical Sketch
Professor Afshin Beheshti
“In my current research, I explore a broad spectrum of scientific domains, including COVID-19, cancer, space biology, cardiovascular systems, and radiation biology. My primary focus lies in unraveling the intricate interplay between microRNAs (miRNAs) and mitochondria within these realms, leveraging these systems to advance the development of biomarkers and therapeutic interventions. With expertise in systems biology, I seamlessly integrate computational (e.g., AI/ML tools) and wet lab methodologies, enabling a comprehensive investigation of these diverse research areas.
During my tenure as part of a NASA NSCOR-funded grant (2006-2011), I researched and published findings on cancer risk attributed to space irradiation. I also applied a novel systems biology approach to understand the impact of aging on tumor growth dynamics. Upon joining the faculty at Tufts University School of Medicine, I expanded on this foundation, identifying a miRNA signature associated with lymphoma and employing bioinformatics to elucidate key molecular changes influencing lymphoma, resulting in multiple manuscripts. My involvement in the NASA GeneLab project from 2017 to 2020 contributed to the development of the NASA omics platform for public access. Utilizing publicly available omics data, I have generated hypotheses to decipher biological responses to spaceflight. Supported by funding from diverse sources, including NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD), I continue to explore the multifaceted influence of miRNAs and mitochondria on space biology, cancer, and COVID-19. Additionally, I have taken on leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, founding and leading the COVID-19 International Team (COV-IRT) a consortium of 200+ scientists dedicated to collaborative research on COVID-19, and Kwaai AI, a new nonprofit focused on democratizing AI and creating a free personal assistant for global use.
As the President of the COVID-19 International Research Team (nonprofit), we have conducted comprehensive investigations into COVID-19 and long COVID, covering mitochondrial biology, inflammation, modeling, miRNAs/ncRNAs, and tool development. Throughout my extensive research journey, I have employed a diverse array of methodologies, including systems biology approaches, AI/ML computational tools, multi-omics analysis and pipelines, spatial RNA-seq, mitochondrial research and assays, miRNA research, in vivo models, normal and cancer stem cells, exploration of DNA double-strand breaks in relation to cancer progression, investigation of cell fusion and developmental processes, and exploration of radiation effects on tumor progression and initiation. Starting in September 2024, I joined University of Pittsburgh as Professor of School of Surgery, Director of the Space Biomedicine Program, and Associated Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. This position will allow me to further integrate my expertise in radiation biology, space biology with my ongoing research in miRNAs, AI/ML, and mitochondrial function. By leveraging my diverse skills, expertise, and experience, I am well-positioned to provide strong leadership and guidance for various projects. This will drive our understanding for development of novel radiation countermeasures strategies to allow for quick and efficient response to mitigate health risks that will arise to radiation exposure. Below are a few publications that underscore the depth and breadth of my work.”