Microbiome

Postdoctoral Fellowship

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The Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center (GLMC)  offers an endowed fellowship in microbiome research. This postdoctoral fellowship will be awarded annually to support excellence in microbiome research related to the center's focus areas, including projects involving microbiome connections to gut-brain signaling, immune function, and metabolism.

The award of approximately $100,000 includes support for salary and project-related expenses for 12 months. Fellows will be required to present their research at the center seminar series and asked to host a session related to their research interests at the GLMC annual meeting.

2024 - 2025 Inaugural Fellow

Lia Farahi, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow; Division of Cardiology; Department of Medicine; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Research: Role of gut bacteria-derived indole propionic acid (IPA) in protecting against abdominal aortic aneurysm
Mentor: Aldons J. “Jake” Lusis, PhD; Professor, Human Genetics and Medicine; Department of Medicine; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Funding: $100,000; July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
Core usage: Gnotobiotics; Microbiome

Lia Farahi, PhD

Dr. Farahi’s research focuses on exploring the potential protective effect of gut microbiome-derived Indole Propionic Acid (IPA) against abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in Dr. Lusis's lab at UCLA. As a postdoctoral fellow, she is also involved in projects concerning atherosclerosis and senescence. Dr. Farahi received her PhD in medical biotechnology from Avicenna Research Institute of Beheshti University in 2019, Tehran, Iran, focusing on diagnostic and therapeutic implications for hematologic cancers. The effects of IPA on AAA are currently under investigation to reveal its potential protective role against AAA progression and metabolic disorders. Subsequent studies will focus on exploring the mechanistic function of IPA, with efforts aimed at translating these findings into clinical applications, including noninvasive therapeutics and diagnostics. 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Hold a PhD and/or MD
  • Be engaged in advanced training at UCLA
  • Have a committed UCLA postdoctoral appointment for the duration of the award
  • Conduct research under the guidance of a UCLA faculty member who holds member affiliation with the GLMC and one of its research research programs

Application

To apply, please compile, as a single PDF document, the following components:

  • Research proposal of no more than four pages (not including references and citations)
  • Applicant NIH bio sketch
  • Faculty mentor NIH bio sketch
  • Nomination letter from the faculty mentor for the proposed project
  • One additional letter of recommendation (may be mailed separately)

The proposed research must address the themes of one of the GLMC research programs. Successful submissions will have a clear articulation of the project aims, research to be completed during the fellowship period, its broader impacts, and a commitment from the research mentor to additional funding, facilities, and other support for the candidate. Research that features innovative solutions to scientific problems and that involve interactions with GLMC core facilities will be given priority.

How to apply

Applicants should submit a single PDF of the entire application by email to the program administrator, Jacqueline Ismen at [email protected]