Rahil Eftekhari is the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Highlighted Trainee Author for the January 2024 issue. Dr. Eftekhari earned her PhD in Immunology from a joint program at Tehran University and the University of Calgary under the mentorship of Dr. Morley Hollenberg and Dr. Farshid Noorbakhsh. Subsequently, she joined Dr. Hedwich Kuipers’s lab for her post-doctoral research, where she further explored the complexities of immune responses in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS). The JPET article that earned her selection as a Highlighted Trainee Author is titled “Blockade of Proteinase-Activated Receptor 2 (PAR 2) Attenuates Neuroinflammation in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis” and is available at https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.123.001685.

Dr. Eftekhari’s commitment to unraveling immune cell functions in autoimmune disorders prompted her investigation into the role of Pepducin, a PAR2 receptor antagonist. With a focus on potential applications for multiple sclerosis treatment, she conducted in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrating that PAR2 blockade inhibits disease progression in the EAE animal model of multiple sclerosis. This effect was attributed to reduced activation of T cells and macrophages, leading to decreased infiltration into the central nervous system. These findings highlight PAR2 as a crucial regulator of neuroinflammation, proposing PAR2 antagonists as potential therapies for MS and related conditions.

Currently, Dr. Eftekhari is joining the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a postdoctoral-research associate, where she engages in translational research on immuno-oncology therapies. Her work is anticipated to significantly impact optimizing strategies for immunotherapies in oncology, ultimately contributing to the development of highly efficient cancer therapeutics.

Beyond science, Rahil enjoys biking and traveling. She also enjoys exploring new cafés in town.