Hedie Poorkazem is a PhD student at the School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment at La Trobe University, working in collaboration with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Her research focuses on modelling plaque formation in atherosclerosis using microfluidic vascular systems that recreate vessel-like structures. In this platform, cells are cultured to investigate cellular interactions under pro-atherogenic conditions, including exposure to oxidised LDL and cholesterol crystals. The model aims to replicate key processes involved in Atherosclerosis, providing a controllable in-vitro system to study the mechanisms driving early vascular inflammation and plaque development.

She holds a master’s degree in cellular and developmental biology from the Royan Institute, where her research focused on extracellular vesicle (EV) heterogeneity and its functional relevance in wound healing. Her master’s work examined how distinct subpopulations of mesenchymal stromal cell-derived EVs differentially influence fibroblast behaviour, including migration and contraction, contributing to a deeper understanding of EV-mediated cell communication and its therapeutic potential.

Hedie has published in international peer-reviewed journals and presented her work at international scientific conferences. She is particularly fascinated by the convergence of nanoscale biological signalling and mechanical forces in determining cell fate decisions across tissues. Through her PhD research, she aims to clarify key mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease progression and to support the development of innovative regenerative strategies.

Achievements

• PhD student at La Trobe University – Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (2025–present)
• First-class honours in Master of Science studies
• Ranked 2nd among Master of Science students
• Awarded competitive research grant for MSc dissertation
• Ranked 10th among ~3,000 participants in the National Master’s Degree Entrance Exam (Iran)
• Fully funded scholarship for Bachelor of Science program
• Laboratory Skills Trainer, Royan Institute
• QC Specialist for recombinant proteins, Royan Institute

Awards

• La Trobe University Graduate Research Scholarship (LTGRS)
• La Trobe University Full-Fee Research Scholarship (LTUFFRS)
• First-Class Honours (MSc)
• First-Class Honours (BSc)
• Master’s dissertation research grant