Osama Harraz, PhD

Principal Investigator

Osama is the Bloomfield Professor in Cardiovascular Research and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont. He obtained his BSc (2006) and MSc (2009) degrees from Alexandria University in Egypt. In 2010, he started his doctoral training at the University of Calgary in Canada with Donald Welsh, PhD, where he studied novel calcium channels in the brain blood vessels. During his doctoral studies, Osama was the recipient of most prestigious scholarship in Canada (Vanier Scholarship). In 2015, Osama moved to Vermont for postdoctoral training with Mark Nelson, PhD. His major accomplishment during his postdoc was the discovery of a phospholipid regulator (PIP2) of capillary signaling and the demonstration that it dictates different signaling modalities in brain capillaries. Current work in the Harraz Lab aims to understand the capillary mechanosensation in health and disease.

UVM Lab Page ; Google Scholar ; Researchgate ; ORCID

Mohammad Elmahdy, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate 

Mohammad obtained his B.Sc. (2005) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University in Egypt. In 2010, he Finished his M.Sc. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University and was focused on the induction and treatment of the hypertension in animal models. In 2014, he finished his Ph.D. from the same institute, but focused on the induction and treatment of tumor in in-vivo and in-vitro models. He worked as Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhour University in Egypt. In March 2023, he moved to Vermont for postdoctoral training in the Harraz lab. He contributes to ongoing research that investigates molecular mechanisms underlying blood flow physiology. 

Emily Xin Rui Lim, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate 

Emily obtained her BSc (2018) in Biopharmaceutical Science from Dundalk Institute of Technology in Ireland. In 2018, she started her doctoral training in the same Institute, and studied voltage-gated sodium channels and calcium-activated chloride channels in mouse corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells. During her PhD, she was awarded the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship from the Irish Research Council. In 2023, she moved to Vermont for postdoctoral training in the Harraz lab. She contributes to ongoing research that investigates molecular mechanisms underlying blood flow control. Emily loves her cats, Olive and Millie. She also likes hiking, nature, and travelling to new places.

Natalia Mathieu, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate

Natalia received her BSc (2017) in Biomedical Engineering from EIA University & CES University in Medellin, Colombia. In 2018, she moved to the US to complete a post-baccalaureate program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She further completed her doctoral training at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she studied the brain control of blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis. During her training, she was awarded the American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship and was the recipient of research recognition awards from the American Physiological Society and the Council of Hypertension (AHA). In May 2024, Natalia moved to Vermont to complete her postdoctoral training in the Harraz lab. Natalia enjoys cooking, reading historical fiction, and hiking with her dogs. 

Google Scholar; ORCID

Michael Ippolito, B.S.

Lab Technician

Mike received his B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Pharmacology from UVM. His interest lies in studying the mechanisms of neuronal function, signaling, and disease genesis in the brain; and the development and utilization of pharmaceutical agents to treat diseases and improve peoples’ quality of life. In the Harraz Lab, he assists in ongoing research that investigates mechanically regulated signaling within brain vasculature, as well as providing technical assistance in laboratory setup. An avid all-mountain skier, Mike loves being in the mountains and planning his next adventure.

Asser Bedair, MSc

PhD Rotation Student

Asser obtained his B.Sc. in 2016 in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Egypt. In 2023, he finished his M.Sc. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the same institute, where he studied the effect of modulators of ATP-sensitive potassium channels on morphine antinociception in experimental liver fibrosis. He is interested in ion channels and cerebrovascular diseases. In August 2024, he moved to Vermont for PhD rotational training in the Harraz Lab. Outside the lab, Asser participates in community services and enjoys playing soccer, cycling and going to the opera.

Curtis Plante, BASc

Medical School Student

Curtis received his BASc in chemical engineering from Queen’s University in Canada before transitioning to medical school at UVM. He is interested in neurovascular coupling, neuroengineering, and neurodegenerative disease pathology. In the Harraz Lab, Curtis helps with MATLAB data processing, analysis, and visualization of vascular LSCI experiments. In his free time, Curtis enjoys listening to live music as well as playing soccer, hockey, and guitar.

Henry Bijur

Undergraduate Student

Henry is an undergraduate student studying Neuroscience and French at UVM. Apart from academics, he enjoys being active outside, and at UVM, he is a member of the club soccer team, the freeski team, and the kayak club. 

Austin Ruggles

Undergraduate Student

Austin is an undergraduate at UVM, pursuing his B.S. in Biochemistry. He is interested in neurodegenerative diseases and vascular signaling processes. Apart from academics, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and photographing his adventures. He is also teaching himself how to snowboard. 

Maya Rao

Undergraduate Student

Maya is an undergraduate student pursuing her B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Molecular Genetics. She is particularly interested in ion channel biophysics and neurodegenerative diseases. In her free time, Maya enjoys hiking and reading.

Trevor Harriman

Undergraduate Student

Trevor is an undergraduate student studying Biochemistry at UVM. He is particularly interested in mechanosensory ion channels and neurodegenerative disease. In his free time, Trevor enjoys playing drums and snowboarding.

Kayla Kellam

Undergraduate Student

Kayla is an undergraduate student studying biochemistry at UVM. She is particularly interested in neurodegenerative diseases and ion channel signal transduction. Kayla is a part of the club swim team at UVM and enjoys hiking and listening to music in her free time.