Mitra Lavasani

Mitra Lavasani, PhD

Research Scientist III
Director, Translational Cell Therapy Lab
Associate Professor, Northwestern University
Contact

My Lab

Translational Cell Therapy 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

Extracting high-quality RNA from formaldehyde-fixed naturally aged neuromusculoskeletal tissues.
Thompson SD, Pichika R, Lieber RL, Lavasani M
BioTechniques
doi: 10.2144/btn-2023-0092
Stress and stiffness as predictors of shear wave velocity in peripheral nerve.
Rugel CL, Thompson SD, Franz CK, Heckman CJ, Lavasani M, Lee SSM
PloS one
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319439
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

Selected Patents

  • Compositions and Methods for Restoring or Rejuvenating Stem/Progenitor Cell Function.
    US Patent App. 13/912,947
    University of Pittsburgh, 2013

Professional Affiliations

  • Member
    Orthopedic Research Society, 2011
  • Member
    American Aging Association (AGE), 2021, 2021

Research Interests

  • Peripheral Nerve Injury
  • Therapeutic Adult Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Natural Aging and Progeria
  • Reversing or Preventing Aging-Related Diseases
  • Neuropathy

Grants

  • NIA/NIH
    R01AG073223-01, 2022 - 2027
  • Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation
    2022 - 2024
  • Julius N. Frankel Foundation
    2021 - 2023
  • Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation
    2021 - 2023
  • NIH/NIA
    P01AG043376, 2013 - 2018
  • Christopher L. Moseley Foundation
    2015 - 2017
  • NIH
    R21NS081724-01, 2012 - 2015
  • Pittsburgh Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center
    2013
  • Department of Defense
    W81XWH-08-2-0032, 2008 - 2013
  • NIH
    R21AG033907-02A1, 2009 - 2011
  • Corbin Estate Foundation
    2007 - 2010

Professional Colleagues

Bridget Fowler
Bridget Fowler King, PT, DPT, APTA
Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Clinical Research Assistant
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Tertia Jeppson, M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS
Tertia "Abby" Jeppson, M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS
Research Speech-Language Pathologist
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Madeleine Clerkin
Research Assistant
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