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Behzad Varamini
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Behzad Varamini

Co-Director, Stewart Science Honors Program
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

DepartmentDepartment of Biological Sciences
Biola AffiliationsFaculty
Phone(562) 903-4891 (Department of Biological Sciences)

Documents

Degrees

  • Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Pennsylvania
  • Ph.D., Human Nutrition, Cornell University
  • B.S., Biotechnology, Elizabethtown College

Biography

Behzad Varamini incorporates current clinical case studies and cutting-edge research into his physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition courses, while also working closely with a small group of students in his laboratory.  He is passionate about challenging and mentoring students to reach their truest and highest potential, and the aim of all his work in and out of the classroom is their long-term success.

Varamini is interested in the molecular mechanisms that drive aging and longevity. Specifically, his lab is focused on the behavior of a family of highly-conserved circadian-controlled metabolic genes called Sirtuins in mediating the effects of diet on drosophila melanogaster lifespan. A number of strains and genetic models are being investigated to elucidate the role of diet and small molecule activators of sirtuins on gene expression and sleep/activity levels. Dr. Varamini conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania.

Publications

  • “Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acid Concentrations in Human Breast Milk Worldwide,” Brenna, J.T., Varamini, B., Jensen, R.G., Diersen-Schade, D.A., Boettcher, J.A., and Arterburn, L.M., Am J Clin Nutr. June 2007.
  • “Purinergic Glio-endothelial Coupling During Neuronal Activity: Role of P2Y1 Receptors and eNOS in Functional Hyperemia in the Mouse Somatosensory Cortex,” Toth, P., Tarantini, S., Davila, A., Valcarcel-Ares, M.N., Tucsek, Z., Varamini, B., Ballabh, P., Sonntag, W.E., Baur, J.A., Csiszar, A., and Ungvari, Z., Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 2015.
  • “Resveratrol Increases Cerebral Glycogen Synthase Kinase Phosphorylation as well as Protein Levels of Drebrin and Transthyretin in Mice: An Exploratory Study,” Varamini, B., Sikalidis, A.K., Bradford, K.L., Int J Food Sci Nutr, February 2014.
  • “Resveratrol for Primary Prevention of Atherosclerosis: Clinical Trial Evidence for Improved Gene Expression in Vascular Endothelium,” Agarwal, B., Campen, M.J., Channell, M.M., Wherry, S.J., Varamini, B., Davis, J.G., Baur. J.A., and Smoliga, J.M., Int J Cardiol, June 2013.
  • “Rapamycin has a Biphasic Effect on Insulin Sensitivity in C2C12 Myotubes due to Sequential Disruption of mTORC1 and mTORC2,” Ye, L., Varamini, B., Lamming, D.W., Sabatini, D.M., and Baur, J.A., Front Gene