Farrhin Nowshad
Berkeley,CA
Summary
Translational research scientist with expertise in human kidney organoids, microbiome-derived metabolites, and inflammatory signaling. Experienced in integrating multi-omics, cheminformatics, and computational analysis to uncover disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Proven ability to translate molecular insights into clinically relevant findings through in vivo validation and patient-scale datasets.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
09.2024 - Current
- Built scalable human kidney organoid models to study microbiome- and cytokine-driven injury mechanisms.
- Integrated multi-omics and cheminformatics to identify metabolite-receptor interactions and inflammatory signaling pathways.
- Led transcriptomic and network-based analyses to identify AhR–NF-κB–mediated injury programs linked to inflammatory kidney damage.
- Validated discoveries through in vivo models and patient-derived datasets to support translational relevance.
- Collaborated within NIH-funded, multi-institutional consortia to connect molecular insights with clinical data.
- Mentored 4 undergraduate researchers, enabling independent execution of organoid culture and imaging workflows used in ongoing translational studies.
Graduate Research Assistant
Texas A&M University
College Station, USA
01.2019 - 12.2024
- Identified microbial taxa and enzymes involved in flavonoid metabolism through integrated metabolomics and metagenomics.
- Discovered candidate host receptors for microbiome-derived metabolites using qRT-PCR and bulk RNA-seq analyses.
- Applied molecular docking and MD simulations to analyze interactions between metabolites and receptors.
- Developed a dynamic model within a microfluidic device to assess flavonoid effects on gut communities.
Graduate Student Lead
LMC Corrosion Project
College Station, Texas
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Designed and implemented a cellular production platform for modified poly(aspartic acid) polymers to enable low-toxicity, sustainable anti-corrosion coatings.
- Developed and optimized polymer-based steel coating methods to improve durability and environmental compatibility.
- Evaluated anti-corrosive performance across abiotic and biotic conditions to assess real-world applicability.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX12-2024
B.S. - Chemical Engineering
Bangladesh University of Engineering And Technology
Dhaka, Bangladesh12.2017
Skills
Biological Systems & Disease Models
- Human iPSC-derived kidney organoids, podocyte biology, inflammatory signaling
- Cytokine- and microbiome-derived metabolite injury models
- Mammalian cell culture; anaerobic and aerobic bacterial culture
Molecular & Analytical Techniques
- RNA/DNA extraction, qRT-PCR, PCR, cloning
- LC–MS/MS–based metabolomics, HPLC
- Protein expression and purification, UV–VIS spectroscopy
Histology, Imaging & Microscopy
- Immunofluorescence staining (organoids and tissue sections)
- Widefield and confocal fluorescence microscopy
- Cryosectioning and H&E histological staining
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation and imaging
Omics & Systems Biology
- Bulk RNA-seq and snRNA-seq; differential expression analysis
- Pathway enrichment (KEGG, Reactome) and network-based analysis
- Shotgun and 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis
Computational & Data Analysis
- Molecular docking and simulation
- Cheminformatics (structure similarity, metabolite prioritization)
- Python, R (tidyverse, DESeq2), bioinformatics pipelines
Microfabrication & Engineering
- Microfluidic device design and fabrication
Journal Publications
10+ peer-reviewed publications; 239+ citations (Google Scholar)
Selected Publications
- Nowshad, F.*; Gülşan, E.E.*; Leigh, M.D.; Crott, J.W.; Park, H.; Martin, G.; Safe, S.; Chapkin, R.S.; Jayaraman, A.; Lee, K., (2025) “A Chalcone Synthase-like Bacterial Protein Catalyzes Heterocyclic C-Ring Cleavage of Naringenin to Alter Bioactivity Against Nuclear Receptors in Colonic Epithelial Cells”, Metabolites, 15, 146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15030146.(*these authors contributed equally)
- Nowshad, F.*, Gulsan, E. E.*, Jayaraman, A., and Lee, K., "Metabolism of Dietary Carbohydrates by Intestinal Bacteria’, Metabolism of Nutrients by Gut Microbiota", ed: Joseph F. Pierre, Royal Society of Chemistry, pp. 18-47, 2022.(* these authors contributed equally)
- Cox, A., Nowshad, F., Callaway, E., Jayaraman, A., "Integrated Metagenomic and Metabolomic Analysis of In Vitro Murine Gut Microbial Cultures Upon Bisphenol S Exposure", Metabolites, metabolites-2785220
- Gulsan, E. E., Nowshad, F., Yamaguchi, P., Dong, X., Jayaraman, A., and Lee, K., "A Chemical Reaction Similarity-Based Prediction Algorithm Identifies the Multiple Taxa Required to Catalyze an Entire Metabolic Pathway of Dietary Flavonoids", eLife, 12, RP89852, 2023, https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.89852.1
Accomplishments
•NIH LAUNCH TL1 Training Grant (2025–2026)-Selected trainee in a competitive, NIH-funded, multi-institutional translational research program
Timeline
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
University of California, Berkeley
09.2024 - Current
Graduate Student Lead
LMC Corrosion Project
08.2023 - 05.2024
Graduate Research Assistant
Texas A&M University
01.2019 - 12.2024
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
Texas A&M University
B.S. - Chemical Engineering
Bangladesh University of Engineering And Technology