Scholastic and Professional |
My name is Misagh and I have made it my mission to focus on human health. I am not concerned about "putting a dent in the universe" as Steve Jobs used to say, I merely want to improve it a bit. My profesional interest is at the intersection of science, communication, and management. I chose Chemical Engineering for my undergraduate degree because I wanted to learn how the dynamics of fluids in human body worked; and, I was dazzled to see that human body and biology in general have the most advanced engineering features! So, the next stop for me was to learn biology and the first chance I got, I joined a lab that conducted molecular virology research at the School of Veterinary Medicine at LSU. I loved working with cancer cells and viruses; but, organic life is too untamed and my engineering mind was asking for a more controlled environment. Thus, I finally settled in an in silico lab, in front of a Linux machine, learning the ways of modeling biological systems with high performance computing systems. I am very lucky to have experience such a unique path in graduate school, moving through diverse disciplines. I have had the opportunity to work closely with researchers in chemical engineering, biochemistry, virology, evolutionary biology, computer science, and mechanical engineering on divers interesting projects; these projects have so far lead to 12 manuscripts in high-impact journals, 3 software packages, and two future small-molecule drug candidates.
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Hobbies and Interests |
An avid fan of hammocking, I am always on the look out to find calm spots to read or listen to a book or do some creative work. Running is another excuse to listen to some audiobooks or podcasts; and it's more fun with a terrier-hound mix called "Nellie"! I know it might sound arrogant but I love jumping out of moving airplanes, of course with a parachute, and I have tried walking on hot red coals, which I think was empowering, but I have yet to find the activity that triggers my adrenaline insanely. It might be because of practicing meditation and yoga that my fight or flight response is not as active as it should be. I guess that's why I do and teach meditation and yoga, so no complaints. Rock climbing is an activity that lifts me up and I suggest everyone who has the physical capability to spend 3-6 hours a week climbing hopefully with a fun group, as an effective antidepressant.
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