Parastoo Razmara

Parastoo Razmara is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on understanding the toxicological effects of environmental contaminants, particularly nanoparticles and heavy metals, on aquatic organisms. She employs zebrafish and rainbow trout as model systems to investigate mechanisms of toxicity in neural, developmental, and sensory systems.

Key research themes include:

• Impact of copper nanoparticles on olfactory and neuromuscular systems
• Toxic effects of microplastics and oil sands-affected water
• Neurodevelopmental consequences of cannabinoids (CBD/THC) in zebrafish
• Metabolic and cellular responses to metal exposure

Her work bridges molecular biology, physiology, and environmental science to address emerging contaminants' ecological impacts.

Recent studies have highlighted recovery mechanisms in fish olfactory systems after nanoparticle exposure, as well as the role of genetic pathways like sonic hedgehog signaling in developmental toxicity. Razmara's research contributes to regulatory science for nanoparticle risk assessment and environmental health policy.