Parvin Shahrestani

Parvin Shahrestani is an Associate Professor in the Biological Science department at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). She holds a PhD and BS from the University of California, Irvine, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University. Her research focuses on evolutionary genomics, population genetics, experimental evolution, aging, immunity, and microbiome studies using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.

Dr. Shahrestani’s work explores how immune defense mechanisms evolve under varying conditions, including diet, sex, and evolutionary history. She investigates aging-related physiological decline and the genetic basis of resistance to pathogens like Beauveria bassiana and Acinetobacter baumannii. Her contributions include studies on genome-wide associations, QTL mapping, and predictive models for mortality in experimental populations.

Her teaching includes courses on genetics, evolution, and aging biology. Her research portfolio reflects interdisciplinary approaches to understanding evolutionary and physiological processes, with publications in high-impact journals and a Google Scholar profile highlighting her contributions to the field.