Zahra Mohammadalizadeh
Gainesville,FL
Summary
Highly motivated and organized PhD student with a background in conducting complex research projects, data analysis, and report creation. Strengths include the ability to handle challenging work, strong analytical skills, effective time management, and the ability to work well in team environments. Adapt to working effectively, unsupervised, and quickly master new skills.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant (PhD student)
University of Florida
Gainesville, USA
01.2023 - Current
- Designed and optimized in vitro culture protocols for CCD-18Co colonic fibroblasts by applying a Design of Experiments (DOE) framework to identify combinatorial conditions that reliably sustain fibroblast quiescence on tissue culture plastic (TCPS).
- Systematically evaluated the effects and interactions of extracellular matrix proteins (collagen I, collagen III, laminin), and soluble bioactive factors (vitamin D, FGF-2) on fibroblast morphology and activation markers, uncovering key determinants that minimize spontaneous activation on TCPS.
- Utilized DOE to reveal non-linear microenvironmental interactions and develop a reproducible, accessible protocol that advances early-stage fibrosis modeling.
- Mentored undergraduate students in experimental planning, cell culture techniques, and data analysis, contributing to collaborative research outcomes.
Intern
Avicenna Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University
Tehran, Iran
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Design and fabrication of fibroin-based scaffolds for skin and cartilage tissue engineering using freeze-drying and electrospinning
- In vitro evaluation of physical, mechanical, and biological properties of fabricated scaffolds
- Fibroin extraction and purification from silk cocoons.
- Collagen extraction and purification from human abdominal skin
- Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) extraction and culture
Intern
Iranian Tissue Product Company
Tehran, Iran
02.2017 - 07.2017
- Preparation of amniotic membrane and bone powder for medical use
- Dermis procurement and decellularization
Education
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL01-2027
M.Sc. - Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Isfahan, Iran12.2016
B.Sc. - Cellular and Molecular Biology, Microbiology
Al-Zahra University
Tehran, Iran07.2013
Skills
- Colonic fibroblast isolation, culture, and handling
- Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) culture and experimentation
- Immunocytochemistry (ICC) for protein localization
- Quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and nucleic acid extraction (RNA/DNA)
- Extracellular matrix quantification (ELISA)
- Experimental design and optimization (Design of Experiments, DOE)
- Stat-Ease 360 (DOE software)
- Statistical analysis and data visualization (GraphPad Prism, R programming)
- Automated image analysis (CellProfiler)
- Figure and scientific visualization (Affinity Designer)
- Design and fabrication of biomaterial scaffolds
- Natural polymer extraction and processing
- Analytical techniques for materials and biological samples
- Bacterial culture methods
- SOLIDWORKS (CAD modeling)
- Microsoft Office Suite
Publications
- Developing a Cell Culture Protocol to Induce Quiescence in Intestinal Fibroblasts Using Design of Experiments Statistical Optimization, Zahra Mohammadalizadeh, Katherine Bauer Estrada, Morgenne Almonte, Kaitlin C. Fogg, Ana M. Porras, Under Revision at npj Biomedical Innovations, 10/25, 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7677632/v1
- Innovative engineering approaches to model host-microbiome interactions in vitro, Karen M. Mancera Azamar, Samanvitha Deepthi Sudi, Zahra Mohammadalizadeh, Carleigh Coffin, Ivana K. Parker, Ana Maria Porras, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, (2025): 115677
- Development of a Protocol to Induce Quiescence in In Vitro Culture of CCD-18 Colonic Fibroblasts, Zahra Mohammadalizadeh, Ana Maria Porras, The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 118(12S), S12, 12/23, 10.14309/01.ajg.0000995912.96332.4b
Oral Presentations
- Optimizing ECM Protein Coatings and Vitamin D Treatment to Induce Quiescence in CCD-18 Colonic Fibroblasts: A Design of Experiments Approach, Zahra Mohammadalizadeh, Kaitlin Fogg, Ana Maria Porras, Biomaterials Day - hosted by UF SFB, Gainesville, FL, 03/2025
- Leveraging Design of Experiments and Extracellular Matrix Coatings to Modulate Intestinal Fibroblast Activation In Vitro, Zahra Mohammadalizadeh, Tia Monjure, Jennifer Gongora Caruncho, Jashua A. Ruley, Kaitlin Fogg, Ana Maria Porras, Biomedical engineering society (BMES) 2024 annual meeting, Baltimore, MD, 10/2024
Affiliations
UF Biomedical Engineering STEM Outreach Day, a 4 hr event designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next
generation of STEM leaders, for students in grades K-12, Gainesville, FL. March 8, 2025
generation of STEM leaders, for students in grades K-12, Gainesville, FL. March 8, 2025
Honors And Awards
- National Patent, Vibration-free and portable microcutting device for 3D scaffolds in tissue engineering, 106599, Iran, 2022
- National Patent, Electrospinning needle cutter device, 95676, Iran, 2017
- Member of Exceptional Talent Development Center (ETDC), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, 2 years, 2014-2016
Languages
- English, Proficient
- Persian, Native
- Japanese, Basic
Websites
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant (PhD student)
University of Florida
01.2023 - Current
Intern
Avicenna Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University
08.2017 - 05.2018
Intern
Iranian Tissue Product Company
02.2017 - 07.2017
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
University of Florida
M.Sc. - Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
B.Sc. - Cellular and Molecular Biology, Microbiology
Al-Zahra University