Sanaz Memarzadeh

About Sanaz Memarzadeh

Dr. Memarzadeh earned her BS in Neuroscience and her MD from the University of Pittsburgh. She has a PhD in Molecular Biology from UCLA. She did her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA as well as completed a Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship at UCLA. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA.

Dr. Memarzadeh’s project aim is to determine the role of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in the initiation of prostate cancer. AR is a protein that is stimulated by androgens, such as testosterone, and drives the proliferation and survival of prostate cancer cells. She previously demonstrated that signaling by stromal fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10; released by stromal cells which form the tissue surrounding prostate cancer) leads an increase AR levels in prostate cells. Her findings reveal that growth factors such as FGF10 can control the AR signaling “dial” in prostate cells indicating that elevated AR signaling may be a mechanism responsible for the initiation of prostate cancer. Dr. Memerzadeh’s work will lead to a better understanding of prostate cancer etiology and may provide new insights on disease prevention, early diagnosis and early treatment options.

Dr. Memarzadeh’s mentor is Owen Witte, MD, Director of the Eli and Edyth Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Distinguished Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, President’s Chair in Developmental Immunology, Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology David Geffen School of Medicine, at the University of California, Los Angeles.