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Dr. Mitra Tabatabaee is an Assistant Professor at the University of the Fraser Valley and an Associate Faculty member at the Center for In Vitro Research and the Berry Environmental Resilience Research & Innovation Center. She holds dual PhDs in microbiology and neurobiology, with an early research focus on applied and environmental microbiology and current research on neurobiology.

PhD in Microbiology, IAUSRB

PhD in Neurobiology, UBC

Passionate about education, Dr. Tabatabaee is an experienced mentor and educator in microbiology and biotechnology courses. Her work bridges fundamental science with practical applications, enriching both academic and applied research communities while inspiring innovation and discovery. She implements discussion-based and interactive teaching approaches in her classes to foster critical thinking and collaborative learning.

Courses: Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental microbiology, Medical microbiology

Dr. Tabatabaee’s current research explores astrocyte cells—star-shaped glial cells critical for maintaining the brain's environment, supporting neurons, and regulating cellular signaling. She also investigates astrocytoma, an aggressive brain cancer originating from astrocytes, which is vital for understanding brain tumor progression and developing targeted therapies. Her interdisciplinary research further extends to the gut-brain axis, studying the complex interactions between the microbiome and neural systems to uncover mechanisms influencing health and disease.