Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo, PhD

Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo, PhD is a CIHR Banting Fellow at Yale. He specializes in the field of neurophysiology and ion channel modulation. With an academic background and experience in both experimental and computational approaches, Dr. Ghovanloo has made contributions to our understanding of sodium channel function and its implications in neuronal excitability and interactions with cannabinoids. His research has primarily focused on investigating the effects of various compounds, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN), on voltage-gated sodium channels and their impact on neuronal function.

Dr. Ghovanloo obtained his PhD from Simon Fraser University, Canada, in 2021, following the completion of his Bachelor of Science (Hons.) degree at the same institution in 2015. Presently, he conducts postdoctoral research at the Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, further enhancing his expertise in the field.

In 2020, Dr. Ghovanloo trained as a Visiting Researcher at the Science for Life Laboratory in Sweden, broadening research scope and engaging with computational biology experts. From 2017 to 2019, as a Research Fellow at Xenon Pharmaceuticals in Canada, Dr. Ghovanloo contributed to projects on ion channel function and drug discovery.

Dr. Ghovanloo's research has encompassed a wide range of topics, including the modulation of ion channels by cannabinoids, the effects of pH on voltage-gated sodium channels, the characterization of various ion channel mutations associated with rare disorders, and the development of cutting-edge methods for investigating functional properties of primary neurons.

Dr. Ghovanloo's research has garnered recognition through numerous awards and honors. His exceptional academic achievements were acknowledged when he was selected as the Graduand Speaker at the Convocation Ceremony at Simon Fraser University in 2021. Moreover, he has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships, including the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), named after the renowned Nobel Prize laureate Sir Frederick Banting, as well as the Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Dr. Ghovanloo's research contributions have been further acknowledged through various awards, including travel grants, research grants, and publication accolades. His work and written articles have been featured in esteemed Canadian newspapers and magazines, including The National Post, The Toronto Star, and The Canadian Business Journal.