Events Calendar

AME Seminar

Speaker: Niema Pahlevan, USC

Talk Title: Hemodynamic Mechanisms of Heart-Aorta-Brain Coupling: From Fluid Dynamics to Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Abstract: The circulatory system operates based on a delicate hemodynamic balance between the heart, the aorta (the largest vessel that extends from the heart), and major physiological organs, such as the brain and kidneys. Optimal hemodynamic coupling between these organs can be impaired due to aging and/or diseases. Therefore, understanding the complex fluid dynamic coupling (hemodynamic interactions) between the heart, aorta, and brain is crucial for the diagnostics and therapeutics of related diseases, such as heart failure (HF), dementia, and myocardial infarction (heart attack). The general hypothesis is that wave dynamics in the aorta dominate the pulsatile hemodynamics of the heart and brain, as well as the nonlinear interaction between the two. This talk will elucidate the systems-level effects of aortic hemodynamics on heart-brain interactions. Our long-term goal is to transform our findings into the development of diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring devices for heart diseases and vascular brain damage.

Biography: Dr. Pahlevans research brings physics and mathematics tools to the study of biological systems ranging from understanding the biomechanics of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases to modeling physiological systems. His ultimate goal in each research initiative is to use mathematical and mechanical engineering principles to establish new techniques and/or devices that are relevant for practicing clinicians. Dr. Pahlevan completed his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran, his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the California State University Northridge, and PhD in Bioengineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He completed his postdoctoral training in hemodynamics and cardiovascular imaging at Caltech and Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) as a Boswell fellow. Dr. Pahlevan joined USC in 2017 as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in the Viterbi School of Engineering and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. He is the recipient of both the NSF CAREER Award and the American Heart Association Career Development Award. In 2022, he received the Junior Research Award from USC's Viterbi School of Engineering and was also appointed the holder of the Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair in Engineering.

More Info: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/

Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/98121141178?pwd=VGEyaXVWYnRaazFYWUVhbVAycGVWQT09 Meeting ID: 981 2114 1178 Passcode: NhXrDOqQU8

Location: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 202

WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/98121141178?pwd=VGEyaXVWYnRaazFYWUVhbVAycGVWQT09 Meeting ID: 981 2114 1178 Passcode: NhXrDOqQU8

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Tessa Yao

Event Link: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/