Sahar Salehi, PhD

E-mail: saharsalehi@ucla.edu
Telephone: (818) 522-2604
LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/saharnsalehi
SUMMARY AND CAREER OBJECTIVE
Clinically-oriented, multi-lingual transplant research scientist seeking position as medical science liaison (MSL)
in the biopharmaceutical industry. Trained with leading KOLs in transplant medicine (UCLA, Cleveland Clinic).
Adept at communicating basic and clinical applications of research findings.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Kidney and heart transplant science

mTOR inhibition
Transplant immunology

Community outreach
Leadership positions in patient-oriented organizations
Professional fluency in French and Farsi

ACADEMIC TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

6/16-present UCLA Immunogenetics Center, Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Research Associate/Coordinator

Direct patient interaction via rounding with transplant physicians. The work continues my interactions with
transplant research team leaders (Drs. Bunnapradist, Schaenman, Deng, and Reed) that began in 2011
with my doctoral research.
Assure compliance with clinical trial and immune monitoring protocol. Consent patients and enter patient
level data into system.

9/11-6/16

University of California, Los Angeles-Los Angeles, CA

Graduate Student Researcher (Advisor: Elaine Reed, PhD, Director, Immunogenetics Center)

Discovered novel mechanism by which the mTOR pathway influences antibody-mediated organ transplant
rejection, across different cell types. Research informed direction of potential drug targeting studies.
Developed collaborative, KOL-type relationships with researchers at the Cleveland Clinic (animal models
of transplant rejection) and at UCLA Immunogenetics Center (profiling immunosuppressive drugs in
transplant).
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND CLINICALLY-ORIENTED VOLUNTEERISM

Since 2006, volunteered with multiple organizations to build professional network, address educational needs
for disadvantaged youth, and develop my clinical experience. Examples:

Vice-President, Community Outreach and Relations, UCLA Advanced Degree Consulting Club (June
2014-June 2015). Coached life science graduate students interested in pursuing careers in management
consulting. Coordinated interactions between members and targeted consulting firms.
Coordinator and director of outreach of the CTSI/IMED seminar committee (September 2011-June 2016)
Virtual High School Educator, NEPRIS. Online collaborations with teachers and students to brainstorm
and develop structure around ideas for scientific and medical research projects.
Mentor, CityLab (Sep 2011-Nov 2012). Mentored leading students from underrepresented high school
districts in intensive hands on laboratory experience in chemistry and life sciences

EDUCATION
9/11-6/16
9/06-12/10

University of California, Los Angeles-Los Angeles, CA

Doctor of Philosophy, Program in Cellular & Molecular Pathology
University of California, Los Angeles-Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics; Minor: French

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Salehi S., Reed EF. Monocyte Recruitment to HLA Class I Antibody-Activated Endothelial Cells is Dependent
Upon mTOR. (Manuscript submitted Aug 2016 to Journal of Experimental Medicine)
Salehi S., Reed EF. The Role of Macrophages in Solid Organ Transplantation. Current Opinion in Organ
Transplantation. 2015.
Kar UK, Jiang J, Champion CI, Salehi S, Srivastava M, Sharma S, Rabizadeh S, Niazi K, Kickhoefer V, Rome
LH, Kelly KA. Vault nanocapsules as adjuvants favor cell-mediated over antibody-mediated immune responses
following immunization of mice. PloS One (2012)
I3T Seminar Series, May 2016. (Poster presentation)
University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Monocyte Recruitment to HLA Class I Antibody-Activated Endothelial Cells is Dependent Upon mTOR.
(Poster presentation) American Society for Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics
Denver, CO. October 2014.
Monocyte Recruitment to HLA Class I Antibody-Activated Endothelial Cells is Dependent Upon mTOR.
(Poster Presentation) World Transplant Congress
San Francisco, CA. July 2014.
FELLOWSHIPS, HONORS, & AWARDS
7/15-6/16

University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Dissertation Year Fellowship

7/12-6/15

University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Vascular Biology Training Grant - Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award

7/14

University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Graduate Student Travel Award - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine