Karima Ait Aissa, Ph.D.

After completing a Biological Engineering degree from the Abderahman Mira University in Bejaia, Algeria, my doctoral journey has begun at the University of Lorraine (France) with first a Masters in Molecular biology, followed by a Ph.D. in Health Sciences. After graduation, I moved to the United States for a postdoctoral position at the Eastern Virginia Medical School (Virginia), then at the Medical College of Wisconsin (Wisconsin). I am currently an Associate at the University of Iowa (Iowa).

 

My project focuses on exploring the bystander effect of radiation therapy on endothelial mitochondria in the development of neurovascular senescence and brain blood barrier disruption. I was driven to pursue a research career from my passion for dissecting the mechanism underlying pathological events such as cardiovascular diseases.

 

Besides my research interests, I have always been involved in mentoring activities, whether through my role in mentoring committees as a postdoctoral fellow or through various scientific associations where I worked to promote students and early career researchers; I believe that every successful career starts with a great mentorship.