Our current projects revolve around modulating cellular senescence to impact aneurysm formation and rupture.

Senescent cells are non-dividing but metabolically active cells which can form a pro-inflammatory microenvironment. It is now understood that modulation of senescent cells with either senolytics or senomorphs can reverse pathological cardiovascular conditions. Our current investigations focus specifically on vascular endothelial cells (VECs) due to the extensive evidence on their role in aneurysm rupture.

We’d like to welcome our new post-doc, Daniel Chris Gomes, PhD and our new lab manager, Jinglu Ai, MD, PhD.

Dr. Redi Rahmani is a dual-trained cerebrovascular neurosurgeon. He was born in Albania and grew up in New York City. He attended Cornell University and graduated cum laude with a degree in neurobiology. He then went to medical school at Dartmouth. He graduated residency from the University of Rochester, where he spearheaded the construction of a state-of-the-art neurosurgical training lab, initiated a multi-institutional clinical trial for delayed cerebral ischemia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and authored a textbook. His research interests have also led to engineering collaboration for the development of a transcranial ultrasound and multiple patents. Following his neurosurgical residency, he completed a fellowship in open cerebrovascular and skull base surgery under Dr. Michael Lawton at the Barrow Neurological Institute. He also completed an endovascular fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.