Dr. Hasanpour-Segherlou is originally from Iran, where she completed her medical education before relocating to the United States to further pursue academic and research goals. During medical school, she conducted research on brain trauma, and after graduation, worked as a medical doctor while continuing her research efforts. Currently, Dr. Hasanpour-Segherlou is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Brian Hoh’s lab at the University of Florida, where they study brain aneurysms using basic science approaches.

With a solid medical background and extensive research experience in Dr. Hoh’s lab, Dr. Hasanpour-Segherlou bridges the gap between basic science and clinical application. Her goal is to advance patient care through targeted, mechanism-based therapies. Dr. Hasanpour-Segherlou plans to pursue a medical residency in the U.S. and become a clinician-scientist, contributing to both patient care and translational research. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, from novels to philosophy, and spending time watching movies with their husband.

Please tell us your background, where you are from, schooling, etc.

I was born and raised in a small village of about 120 people in a poor region of Iran, where girls were often expected to marry in early adolescence — sometimes as young as thirteen. But from the time I was in elementary school, I knew I wanted to become a doctor. I had a clear vision for my future and was determined to follow it. I became the first girl in my family to graduate from elementary school and the first person in my family to continue education beyond high school. In Iran, students enter medical school directly after high school, and I earned a scholarship to attend Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country. During my training, I realized that while clinical education was strong, research opportunities were limited. That realization led me to move to the United States — again, the first in my family — to pursue both medicine and scientific research.

What led you to become involved with brain aneurysm research?

Since my early years in medical school, I was fascinated by cerebrovascular science and neuroscience. The complexity of the brain and the many unknowns in this field deeply inspired me—I knew I wanted to contribute to advancing our understanding of it. When I was applying to come to the U.S., I came across Dr. Brian Hoh’s research and immediately felt that his work aligned perfectly with my interests and goals. I reached out to him, and I was fortunate to have emailed at just the right time—he was looking to hire someone for his lab, and I was thrilled to be accepted.

In the simplest terms, what is the purpose of your project?

In the simplest terms, the purpose of my project is to test whether we can use an enzyme called Biliverdin Reductase-A as a therapy to prevent vasospasm after a brain aneurysm rupture. When an aneurysm ruptures, blood leaks into the space around the brain, and as red blood cells break down, they produce a substance called biliverdin. Our lab has shown that biliverdin contributes to vasospasm—a serious complication that can worsen outcomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage. We’ve also found that the enzyme that normally breaks down biliverdin doesn’t function properly in patients who develop vasospasm. In this project, we’re testing whether giving this enzyme as a treatment can reduce vasospasm and improve outcomes in a mouse model of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

In the simplest terms, what do you hope will change through your research findings?

I hope that my research lays the groundwork for a safe and effective medical treatment that can prevent the development of vasospasm after aneurysm rupture. If our findings are successful in mice, we hope that this research will eventually lead to testing the therapy in patients, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for those affected by subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Why is the funding you are receiving through the Brain Aneurysm Foundation so important?

The funding I’m receiving through the Brain Aneurysm Foundation is essential because it allows us to test our hypothesis and move this project forward. Conducting experiments—especially using animal models—requires significant resources, including specialized equipment, reagents, and personnel support. This funding gives us the opportunity to generate the data we need to understand whether this enzyme therapy can truly prevent vasospasm after aneurysm rupture. Without this support, we wouldn’t be able to take the critical first steps toward developing a potential treatment for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.