Shahrnaboo (Hedieh)'s postdoctoral research focuses on using CRISPR-based genetic approaches and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to investigate the genetic determinants of metabolic liver diseases. She employs whole-genome CRISPRi screening to identify key genes regulating hepatocyte differentiation and function, and generates CRISPR/Cas9 knockout iPSC lines to model disease phenotypes in vitro. Her work integrates stem cell biology, gene editing technologies, and functional genomics to understand how genetic variation influences cellular differentiation and disease susceptibility.
Her doctoral research focused on host-microbe interactions and the therapeutic potential of beneficial gut bacteria in metabolic and inflammatory diseases. She investigated the protective effects of Akkermansia muciniphila and its extracellular vesicles in preclinical models of liver injury and pulmonary fibrosis, combining molecular microbiology, cell culture systems, and in vivo disease models. This work resulted in multiple publications and established her foundation in translational research, bridging basic science discoveries with potential therapeutic applications.