Assistant Research Professor
- BS: Veterinary Clinical Sciences: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, MS: Biotechnology: NIT
- Initial Doctoral Research: Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University
- PhD: Medical Studies, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University
- Postdoctoral: Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University
- Postdoctoral: Dalton Cardiovascular Center, University of Missouri
Email: eamfr@missouri.edu
Phone: 573-882‑0283
Office: Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, 1500 Research Park Dr, Columbia, MO 65211
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Dr. Ahmadzadeh investigates brainstem regulatory pathways that shape respiratory and cardiovascular function and adaptation during early development. Focusing on infant autonomic neurobiology, her research employs a multidisciplinary experimental framework that integrates in vivo, in vitro, and in ovo approaches and utilizes advanced techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics, stereotaxic surgery/site-specific viral vector delivery via microinjection and electroporation, cardiovascular and respiratory recordings, in situ hybridization, immuno labeling, immunohistochemistry, 2D/3D microscopy and PCR.
“We are particularly interested in the development and function of serotonergic pathways in response to prenatal perturbations and postnatal challenges such as hypoxia. Our ongoing research investigates how serotonin influences cardiorespiratory function during infancy. We are exploring several key areas: (1) blood pressure regulation via targeted neuronal silencing in serotonergic circuits; (2) modulation of receptor activity through ligand inhibition and reactivation; (3) prenatal insults/5-HTP exposure models to examine neonatal hypoxic responses; and (4) the state-dependent effects of serotonin on respiratory and cardiovascular control. These studies aim to uncover mechanisms that may contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
MEMBERSHIPS
- Society for Neuroscience (SfN)
- North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS)
- Fetal & Neonatal Physiological Society (FNPS)
- Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Dudink I, Sutherland AE, Zakhem M, Ahmadzadeh E, et al. Fetal growth restriction adversely impacts trajectory of hippocampal neurodevelopment and function. Brain Pathol. 2025;8:e13330. DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13330.
- Ahmadzadeh E, Dudink I, Walker DW, Sutherland AE, et al. The medullary serotonergic centres involved in cardiorespiratory control are disrupted by fetal growth restriction. J Physiol. 2023. DOI: 10.1113/JP284971.
- Ahmadzadeh E, Polglase GR, Stojanovska V, Herlenius E, et al. Review: Brainstem neuropathology. J Physiol. 2023. DOI: 10.1113/JP284191.
- Ahmadzadeh E, Bayin NS, Qu X, Singh A, et al. A collection of genetic mouse lines and related tools for inducible and reversible intersectional mis-expression. Development. 2020;147(10):dev186650. DOI: 10.1242/dev.186650.
Join the lab
Graduate and undergraduate positions available. Collaborative inquiries are welcome.