Affiliation: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab; Northwestern University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dr. Lavasani is a research scientist and director of the translational cell therapy lab at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Lavasani holds degrees in molecular biology (BSc) and bioengineering (MS, PhD). For the past 20 years, Dr. Lavasani has investigated the impact of adult stem cells on tissue regeneration after neuromusculoskeletal injuries and in age-related diseases. In 2012, she made the groundbreaking discovery that the "aging clock" could not only be slowed but actually reversed via systemic transplantation of adult multipotent stem cells. Her current interests lie in understanding the mechanism(s) behind these novel findings and translating this knowledge to prevent, ameliorate, or reverse functional loss in people with neuromuscular diseases, injuries, or aging-related pathologies. Dr. Lavasani's ultimate goal is to translate her regenerative therapies to the clinic.