Science with Purpose for Social Impact

Science with Purpose for Social Impact

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Who We Are

The Vahabikashi Lab is part of the Bioengineering Department at Northeastern University, housed in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC).

Our Research Focus

Our lab operates at the intersection of multiscale mechanobiology and soft bioelectronics. We bring together expertise from engineering, biology, materials science, and medicine to tackle complex problems in human health. Our research pursues three interconnected goals:

  1. We uncover the mechanobiological mechanisms that underlie disease.

  2. We develop advanced bioelectronic interfaces integrated with three-dimensional multicellular biological systems for disease modeling.

  3. We translate our insights into innovative therapeutics, medical devices, and regenerative technologies that address unmet clinical needs.

Our Mission

We are driven by a deep commitment to translational research that bridges fundamental discovery with real-world clinical impact. Our philosophy is "science with purpose for social impact": we transform mechanistic insight into solutions that improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Every project in our lab pairs basic science with a clear translational horizon.

Our Values

We are a team of passionate researchers at the intersection of engineering and biological sciences, united by a commitment to rigorous science. Trainees are central to our mission: we equip the next generation of scientists and engineers with the skills and mindset to build impactful careers. Our culture rests on respect, trust, teamwork, and collaboration, and we treat collective growth as a shared responsibility. We believe science is for everyone, and we foster diversity, equity, and dialogue within our group and the broader scientific community.


Latest News

September 2026: Amir gave a talk “Matrix Codes of Schlemm’s Canal Mechanosensing: Implications for Outflow Resistance” at ISER 2026 in Valencia, Spain.

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June 2026: Daniel, David, Sophia, Brooke, and Mohak gave oral and poster presentations of their research at the 2026 Bioengineering Symposium at Northeastern University. Brooke and Mohak won 1st and 2nd Best Poster - Audience Awards!

September 2026: Zoe Smith awarded the Northeastern University 2026 Women Who Empower Innovator Award!


Our research is supported by

BrightFocus Foundation logo with a stylized triangle in red, blue, and light blue, and the tagline 'Cure in Mind. Cure in Sight'.
NIH National Eye Institute logo with tagline 'Research Today...Vision Tomorrow'.
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