We take pride in the contributions of our scholars, who represent a diverse range of disciplines and research interests within nephrology and internal medicine. Our current postdoctoral scholars are:
Zohreh Gholizadeh, MD:
She graduated from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, and pursued her passion for translational science research at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Gholizadeh later focused on clinical research at Loma Linda University, achieving multiple publications and research grants. Her research interests are centered on glomerular diseases, specifically IgA Nephropathy and Lupus Nephritis, with a focus on improving the quality of life for these patients. Outside of her professional activities, she enjoys painting, practicing Pilates, and learning new languages.
Mehrbod Vakhshoori, MD:
He obtained his medical degree from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. His focus lies in clinical and translational research, resulting in the publication of several articles. Alongside his research, Dr. Vakhshoori serves as a reviewer for several medical journals and holds a position on the editorial board of PLOS ONE journal. He is also interested in data analysis and is passionate about continuous learning to broaden his knowledge. He has a keen interest in volunteering and is always ready to lend a helping hand. In his leisure time, he enjoys spending times with loved ones, exploring nature, and learning new languages.
Niloufar Ebrahimi, MD:
She obtained her medical degree from Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ebrahimi served as an emergency physician in her home province, Guilan, which caught the attention of FOX 5 News San Diego, where she shared her experiences live on the morning news. Her commitment to advancing medical knowledge led her to California from Toronto, Canada, in 2023, where she joined our program. She took proactive steps by establishing a virtual fundraising team for the PKD Foundation to raise awareness and support for polycystic kidney disease in 2023 and 2024. In addition to her fundraising efforts, she is actively involved in clinical research in the PKD area. Dr. Ebrahimi is an award winner of the GlomCon Physician Scientist (GPS) Scholarship in 2024. In her leisure times, she enjoys cooking, playing tennis, reading psychiatric novels and fictions.
Mahtab Mashayekhi, MD:
She obtained her medical degree from Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran. She has previously practiced as a General Physician and also served as the Medical Director of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. Additionally, she has teaching experience as a Lecturer at Azad University. Her passion for research led her to contribute as a Volunteer Researcher for 4 years. She joined our program in 2024. Her research interests include cardiorenal syndrome, heart-kidney interactions, and nephron-immunology. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with friends and watching movies.