Sahar Foroutannejad

Sahar Foroutannejad received her B.S. in Medical Sciences from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Immediately after graduation, Sahar worked for several years as a research scientist at the Cellular and Molecular Research Center. This research inspired her to continue her graduate studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where she received her M.S. in Chemistry. Sahar is currently in her third year at Georgetown University where she is continuing her PhD studies in molecular mechanisms of light induced conformational changes of Drosophila Cytochrome (dCRY). dCRY is a photoreceptor involved in the regulation of the circadian clock. The mechanism of dCRY activation involved in the circadian cycle by blue light is still debated in the literature. Sahar is investigating the mechanism of dCRY activation with optical tweezers. Her studies will provide insight into the role of blue light in dCRY conformational changes.