Bio

I am currently embarking on my Ph.D. journey at Stanford University’s Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, generously supported by both NIH and NSF grants. Under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi, from the Department of Chemistry and the Stanford ChEM-H Institute, and Longzhi Tan from the Department of Neurobiology, my research continues to explore the fascinating intersection of chemistry and neuroscience.

In addition to my studies at Stanford, I remain actively involved with the BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) project, which I joined during my time at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). This ambitious project aims to build comprehensive brain cell atlases, providing a critical molecular and anatomical foundation for understanding brain function and disorders. At UCSD, under the mentorship of Don W. Cleveland and Bogdan Bintu, I contributed to BICAN’s efforts in mapping brain cells and circuits, focusing on transformative research in regenerative medicine.

Prior to Stanford, I earned my B.Sc./M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology at UCSD. My research there concentrated on the in-vivo transformation of glial cells into functional neurons, a pioneering effort in the field of neuroscience.

Outside of my academic endeavors, I enjoy reading, exploring the realms of Artificial Intelligence, traveling, cooking, and continuously seeking to expand my skill set. I am excited about the opportunities to engage with and contribute to this vibrant professional community.

Honors & Awards

  • NeuroTech Training Program (NSF), Stanford University (2023-Present)
  • The Molecular Pharmacology Training Program (NIH T32), Stanford University (2023-Present)
  • Provost's Honors, University of California at San Diego (2019-2022)
  • Highest Departmental Distinction and Honors, University of California at San Diego (2021)
  • Harold C. Urey Award, University of California at San Diego (2021)

Education & Certifications

  • M.Sc., University of California, San Diego, Chemistry: Chemical Biology (2022)
  • B.Sc., University of California, San Diego, Biochemistry (Summa cum laude, Highest Distinction, and Departmental Honors) (2021)

Contact

  • Academic
    simoghad@stanford.edu
    University - Student Department: Chemical and Systems Biology Operations Position: Graduate

Additional Info

Links

All Publications

  • Mst1-mediated phosphorylation of FoxO1 and C/EBP-β stimulates cell-protective mechanisms in cardiomyocytes. Nature communications Maejima, Y., Nah, J., Aryan, Z., Zhai, P., Sung, E. A., Liu, T., Takayama, K., Moghadami, S., Sasano, T., Li, H., Sadoshima, J. 2024; 15 (1): 6279

    Abstract

    The molecular mechanisms by which FoxO transcription factors mediate diametrically opposite cellular responses, namely death and survival, remain unknown. Here we show that Mst1 phosphorylates FoxO1 Ser209/Ser215/Ser218/Thr228/Ser232/Ser243, thereby inhibiting FoxO1-mediated transcription of proapoptotic genes. On the other hand, Mst1 increases FoxO1-C/EBP-β interaction and activates C/EBP-β by phosphorylating it at Thr299, thereby promoting transcription of prosurvival genes. Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury is larger in cardiac-specific FoxO1 knockout mice than in control mice. However, the concurrent presence of a C/EBP-β T299E phospho-mimetic mutation reduces infarct size in cardiac-specific FoxO1 knockout mice. The C/EBP-β phospho-mimetic mutant exhibits greater binding to the promoter of prosurvival genes than wild type C/EBP-β. In conclusion, phosphorylation of FoxO1 by Mst1 inhibits binding of FoxO1 to pro-apoptotic gene promoters but enhances its binding to C/EBP-β, phosphorylation of C/EBP-β, and transcription of prosurvival genes, which stimulate protective mechanisms in the heart.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-50393-y

    View details for PubMedID 39060225

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11282193

  • Lifelong restructuring of 3D genome architecture in cerebellar granule cells. Science (New York, N.Y.) Tan, L., Shi, J., Moghadami, S., Parasar, B., Wright, C. P., Seo, Y., Vallejo, K., Cobos, I., Duncan, L., Chen, R., Deisseroth, K. 2023; 381 (6662): 1112-1119

    Abstract

    The cerebellum contains most of the neurons in the human brain and exhibits distinctive modes of development and aging. In this work, by developing our single-cell three-dimensional (3D) genome assay-diploid chromosome conformation capture, or Dip-C-into population-scale (Pop-C) and virus-enriched (vDip-C) modes, we resolved the first 3D genome structures of single cerebellar cells, created life-spanning 3D genome atlases for both humans and mice, and jointly measured transcriptome and chromatin accessibility during development. We found that although the transcriptome and chromatin accessibility of cerebellar granule neurons mature in early postnatal life, 3D genome architecture gradually remodels throughout life, establishing ultra-long-range intrachromosomal contacts and specific interchromosomal contacts that are rarely seen in neurons. These results reveal unexpected evolutionarily conserved molecular processes that underlie distinctive features of neural development and aging across the mammalian life span.

    View details for DOI 10.1126/science.adh3253

    View details for PubMedID 37676945

  • SINGLE NUCLEI PROFILING OF CILIA-RELATED GENES IN MYOCARDIAL SENESCENCE, DILATED AND HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHIES Aryan, Z., Moghadami, S., Sadoshima, J. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2023: 377

    View details for Web of Science ID 000990866100378

  • Cerebellar Granule Cells Develop Non-neuronal 3D Genome Architecture over the Lifespan. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Tan, L., Shi, J., Moghadami, S., Wright, C. P., Parasar, B., Seo, Y., Vallejo, K., Cobos, I., Duncan, L., Chen, R., Deisseroth, K. 2023

    Abstract

    The cerebellum contains most of the neurons in the human brain, and exhibits unique modes of development, malformation, and aging. For example, granule cells-the most abundant neuron type-develop unusually late and exhibit unique nuclear morphology. Here, by developing our high-resolution single-cell 3D genome assay Dip-C into population-scale (Pop-C) and virus-enriched (vDip-C) modes, we were able to resolve the first 3D genome structures of single cerebellar cells, create life-spanning 3D genome atlases for both human and mouse, and jointly measure transcriptome and chromatin accessibility during development. We found that while the transcriptome and chromatin accessibility of human granule cells exhibit a characteristic maturation pattern within the first year of postnatal life, 3D genome architecture gradually remodels throughout life into a non-neuronal state with ultra-long-range intra-chromosomal contacts and specific inter-chromosomal contacts. This 3D genome remodeling is conserved in mice, and robust to heterozygous deletion of chromatin remodeling disease-associated genes ( Chd8 or Arid1b ). Together these results reveal unexpected and evolutionarily-conserved molecular processes underlying the unique development and aging of the mammalian cerebellum.

    View details for DOI 10.1101/2023.02.25.530020

    View details for PubMedID 36865235

  • Mannose-Binding Lectin is Dysregulated in Cardiac Endothelial Cells of Women With Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Aryan, Z., Moghadami, S., Wang, W., Sadoshima, J. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2022

    View details for Web of Science ID 000890856903015

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1251-7384