Download Mariam Farjah, PhD

Mariam Farjah, PhD
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
835 S. Wolcott Ave, M/C 901 Chicago IL 60612
Tel: 312-545-6986
Fax: 312-996-2932
[email protected]
USA Permanent Resident, EU citizenship
AREAS OF EXPERTISE/CORE COMPETENCIES
 Accomplished, independent cell and molecular biologist specializing in cardiovascular,
hypertrophy and renal hypertension.
 Extensive expertise in molecular, cellular and whole animal models used to examine regulation
of specific gene expression in human-related diseases.
 Proficient in experimental design and performance leading to invited presentation in
internationally known meetings, peer-reviewed publication and extramural funding.
 Mentor and oversee training of new hired researchers and students (20 people lab-coordinate
four different)
 Budget negotiations with scientific vendors and managing research funds resulting in lowering
of laboratory cost up to $20,000
 Writing research protocols according to Federal Regulations and Guidelines regarding Animal
Research, Drug and Clinical Research. Responsible for timely approval of protocols and proper
usage of drug and animal research between four different laboratories.
 Knowledge of GCP, FDA, IRB and Laboratory Safety regulations and Radiation Usage
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2003-current Research Assistant Professor
Clinical Laboratory Manager
Animal Research Study -Transgenic Construct Generation
College of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois
at Chicago
2000-2003
Visiting Scientist and project coordinator, Department of Medicine, Section of
Cardiology and Section of Endocrinology, University of Illinois at Chicago
1999-2000
Senior Research fellow, Department of Cancer Cell Biology Institution Healthcare
NHS, Hammersmith Hospital CRC Laboratory
1997-1999
Director of Research service facility-DNA Core, Department of Biochemistry
1990-1997
Research Fellow, Plant pathology and Biochemistry, Imperial College of Science,
Technology and Medicine, Department of Biology University of London, UK
1988-1990
Research Associate, The Royal London Hospital Medical College (University of
London)
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
1985-1988.1 Lecturer, Plant Pathology and Mycology, Department of Biology Meli University, Iran
1986-1988 Lecturer, Plant Pathology, Plant Pests and Diseases Research Institute Herbarium,
Tehran, Iran
1982-1984
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Microbiology, University of London,
Royal Holloway College, UK
MENTORING
Sayeda Abu-Amero, PhD. Present: Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Child Health, University
College London, UK
Bilal Omar, PhD. Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lund University, Sweden
Alan J Jung, MD. Internal medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Elaine Gorelik, MD. Cardiologist North Shore Medical Group Cardiovascular Disease, Internal
Medicine, Chicago IL
Theressia L. Washington, MD/MS, White Memorial Medical Center
Rmeileh, Amin, MS/DO, Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pahlavan, Fatimeh, B.S student, University of Illinois at Chicago.
GRANT SUPPORT
R21DK065628-02, NIH
The aim of this project is to determine transcriptional analysis of salt adaptation and salt sensitivity
Role: Project Coordinator and Research Scientist
American Heart Association, Grant-in-Aid/Portfolio
This project evaluates novel salt-sensitivity genes in the Dahl.
Role: Program Coordinator and Project Manager
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
The aim is to isolate and characterize RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Nicotiana clevelandii
plants infected with red clover necrotic mosaic dianthovirus.
Role: Research Fellow
SELECTED CONTINUING EDUCATION
2011 CSCR - 2011 Combined Annual Meeting of CSCR & MWAFMR (7.5 hr.)
2011 SPP 105HIPAA On-line Training (2 credits)
2011 UIC Investigator Human Subject Protection Program (2 credits)
2011 HSPP205 Good Clinical Practice (2 credits)
2011 HSPP104 HRSA: Protecting Human Subjects (2 credits)
2011 HSPP110 AAHRPP and the UIC Human Research Protections Program:
What Investigators Need to Know (0.5 credits)
2010 CS101 Controlled Substance Use in Animal and Laboratory Research
2010 EHSO 3027 Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick
2009 EHSO 3016Laboratory Safety and Chemical Waste Management 1.3
2009 EHSO 3028 Basic Laser Safety Training, Laser of class 3B and 4
2008 GR 007 Obesity Research Roundtable
SPECIALIST SHORT COURSES
2009 Workshop on Embryo Transfer, The Jackson Laboratory
Cryopreservation of Mouse Germplasm
1996 Maximizing Results of Fluorescent Sequencing
1989 Modern Immunocytochemistry
SEMINAR AND SYMPOSIUM
2011 Combined Annual Meeting of CSCR and MWAFMR, Chicago, IL
2009 Bureau of Development Disabilities (BDDS) Provider Orientation, Indianapolis, IN
2008 Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Seminar, Los Angeles, CA
2005 Screen and Intervene: Year 2005 Alzheimer’s disease Update, Chicago, IL
2005 The AAHCP Annual Scientific Meeting, Orlando, FL
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
2000- Member, American Heart Association
2007- Member, International Society of Heart Research
2004- Member, American Physiological society
AWARDS
MARC award, April 20-24, 2002, Experimental Biology meeting New Orleans, presented in Genomic
Symposium as the best poster.
Service Recognition Awards (5 years and 10 years ), University of Illinois at Chicago.
EDUCATION
B.S. Biology, University of Meli (University of Shahid Beheshti), Tehran, Iran
M.Phil Pathology, University of London, Royal Holloway College
Ph.D. Pathology and Mycology, University of London, Royal Holloway College
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Pathology/Ophthalmology,The Royal London Hospital Medical
College, UK.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Imperial College of Science,
Technology and Medicine, University of London, UK.
PUBLICATIONS
1. Farjah M, Grachoff M, Henize M, Ramila A, Knezevic I, Greaser M, Solaro RJ. Actin Capping
Protein at the Z-Disc as a Nodal Point in Control of Cardiac Function. Manuscript
in preparation.
2. Avner BS, Shioura KM, Scruggs SB, Grachoff M, Geenen DL, Helseth DL, Farjah M, Goldspink
PH, SolaroRJ, Myocardial Infarction alters Sarcomeric Function in Mice via Post-translational protein
modification. Manuscripts submitted to Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.
3. Pound K, Arteaga GM, Fasano M, Wilder T, Fischer SK, Warren CM, Farjah M, Solaro RJ,
Lewandowski ED. Expression of slow skeletal TnI in mouse hearts
confers metabolic protection to ischemia. Manuscripts submitted to Journal of Molecular and Cellular
Cardiology.
4. Shioura KM, Farjah M, Geenen DL, Solaro RJ, Goldspink PH (2011). Myofilament calcium
sensitization delays decompensated hypertrophy differently between the sexes following myocardial
infarction. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 300(2):R361-8.
5. Hankiewicz JH, Banke NH, Farjah M, Lewandowski ED (2010). Early impairment of transmural
principal strains in the left ventricular wall after short-term, high-fat feeding of mice predisposed to
cardiac steatosis. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 3(6): 710-7.
6. Martin AF, Bhatti S, Pyne-Geithman GJ, Farjah M, Manaves V, Walker L, Franks R,
Strauch A, Paul RJ (2007). Expression and Function of c-terminal Myosin Heavy Chain isoforms in
Mouse Smooth Muscle. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 293(1):C238-45.
7. Farjah M, Washington TL, Roxas BP, Geenen DL, Danziger RS (2004). Dietary NaCl regulates
renal aminopeptidase N: relevance to hypertension in the Dahl rat. Hypertension 43(2):282-5.
8. Farjah M, Roxas BP, Geenen DL, Danziger RS (2003). Dietary salt regulates renal SGK1
abundance: relevance to salt Sensitivity in the Dahl rat. Hypertension 41(4):874-8.
9. Roxas B, Farjah M, Danziger RS (2002). Aquaporin-2 transcript is differentially regulated by dietary
salt in Sprague Dawley and Dahl SS/Jr. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun 296(3):755.
10. Field H, Farjah M, Pal A, Gull K, Field MC (1998). Complexity of
trypanosomatid endocytosis pathway revealed by Rab 4 and Rab 5 isoforms in
Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 273(48):32102-32110.
11. Bates H, Farjah M, Osmon T, Buck KW (1995). Isolation and characterization of an RNADependent RNA polymerase from Nicotiana clevlandii plants infected with red clover necrotic mosaic
dianthovirus. J Gen Virol 76:1483-1491.
12. Hero I, Farjah M, Scholtz CL (1992). The effect of microphthalmia gene on
parental optic nerve development in the mouse. Exp Eye Res 54(2):161-71.
13. Hero I, Farjah M, Scholtz CL (1991). The prenatal development of the optic
fissure in colomatous microphthalmia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 32:182-195.
ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Farjah M, Remeileh A, Grachoff M, Solaro RJ (2009). Transcriptional profiling in heart of a mouse
model with depressed levels of capz reveals alterations in expression of genes controlling function and
signaling. ISHR Meeting, Baltimore, MD
Shioura KM, Farjah M, Geenen DL, Solaro RJ, Goldspink PH (2008). Slow Skeletal Troponin I
Ameliorates Hypertrophic Remodeling during Ischemic Heart Failure, University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Medicine Research, Chicago, IL.
Shioura KM, Farjah M, Geenen DL, Solaro RJ, Goldspink PH (2007). Re-expression of Slow Skeletal
Troponin I Prevents Hypertrophic Remodeling during Ischemic Heart Failure, Circulation 116 (II-302):
A1466.
Farjah M,Walker L, Omar B, Martin AF (2006). Smooth Muscle C-Terminal Myosin Isoforms overexpressed in Transgenic Mice. Presented at Biophysical Society Annual meeting, Salt Lake City, UT
Farjah M, Walker L, Omar B, Martin AF (2005). Expression of c-myc tagged SM1Smooth Muscle
Myosin Heavy Chain inAorta of Transgenic Mice and its Localization Relative to Endogenous SM1 and
SM2. Oral presentation at FASAB, Experimental Biology meeting San Diego, CA (oral presentation).
Farjah M, Roxas BP, Li C, Danziger RS (2003). Identification of Two Novel Candidate Genes in the
Renin-Angiotensin - Aldosterone Pathway for Salt-Adaptation and Hypertension by Transcriptional
Profiling ”Scientific sessions 2003 American Society of Hypertension Orlando, FL (oral presentation).
Gorelik E, Farjah M, Roxas BP, Danziger RS (2003). Transcriptional and Genetic Evidence for Meprin
regulating Salt-Adaptation and Hypertension in the Dahl Rat . ASH 18th Annual Scientific Meeting
New York
Washington TL. Farjah M, Roxas BP, Danziger RS (2003). Dietary salt regulates Renal
Aminopeptidase N. abundance: Gentic and Transcriptional Evidence for Aminopeptidase N as a
candidate Gene in the Dahl Salt-Salt-Sensitive Rat. ASH 18th Annual Scientific Meeting New York
(oral presentation)
Farjah M, Couget JA, Li C, Geenen D, Danziger RS (2002). Analysis of salt-adaptation in the rat brain
and kidney by transcriptional profiling. Seventeenth Meeting & Exposition of the American Society of
Hypertension New York
Farjah M, Couget JA, Li C, Yuzkov D, Geenen D, Wong W, Danziger RS (2002). Effects of dietary
salt on gene expression in the rat kidney. Experimental Biology Meeting, New Orleans, FL
Farjah M, Couget JA, Li C, Wong W, Geenen D, Danziger RS (2002). Computational
Analysis and Transcriptional profiling for identification of candidate genes in the brain for salt
adaptation” Cell Signaling, Transcription and Translation as therapeutic targets
Meeting Luxembourg, Luxembourg (oral presentation)
Field H, Ali BRS, Farjah M, Pal A, Croft SL, Gull K, Field MC (1998). The membrane trafficking
system of trypanosoma brucei; Tb Rab protein mutants and their effects on protein secretion. Berlin,
Germany
Nesbeth D, Field H, Farjah M, Field MC (1998). Effects of modulating Tb Rab 5A
GTPase activity on endocytosis in Trypanosoma brucei. Molecular Parasitology Meeting, Woods Hole,
MA
Farjah M, Bates H, Osmon T, Buck KW (1995). Isolation and characterization of an
RNA-Dependent RNA polymerase from Nicotiana clevlandii plants infected with red
clover necrotic mosaic dianthovirus.. 12th Iranian Plant Protection Congress, Tehran, Iran
Hero I, Farjah M, Scholtz CL (1990). Retinal dystrophy in the Cinnamon mouse. Neuropathological
Society meeting. London, UK
• Farjah M, Hero I, Scholtz CL (1989). The prenatal development of the optic fissure in
colomatous microphthalmia. British Neuropathological Society meeting, Edinburgh, UK