Afshin Beheshti
@afshinbeheshti.bsky.social
Professor at School of Medicine, Director of Space Biomedicine Program, and Associate Director of McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at University Pittsburgh (https://mirm-pitt.net/staff/afshin-beheshti-phd/)
Checkout a new podcast I had the pleasure of participating with:
www.bioinformaticscro.com/podcast/afsh...
www.bioinformaticscro.com/podcast/afsh...
Afshin Beheshti - The Bioinformatics CRO Podcast
Afshin Beheshti, of the University of Pittsburgh's new Center for Space Biomedicine, discusses how space biomedicine helps us understand human health.
www.bioinformaticscro.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Checkout a new podcast I had the pleasure of participating with:
www.bioinformaticscro.com/podcast/afsh...
www.bioinformaticscro.com/podcast/afsh...
Just co-authored a new Nature study led by James DeGregori showing that SARS-CoV-2 can awaken dormant cancer cells, triggering aggressive metastasis via IL-6-driven inflammation. COVID-19 may spark a wave of cancer relapses. Vaccines & IL-6 blockers could help.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Respiratory viral infections awaken metastatic breast cancer cells in lungs - Nature
Mouse models show that respiratory infections from viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can trigger metastasis of dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs, a finding supported by epidemiological d...
www.nature.com
August 2, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Just co-authored a new Nature study led by James DeGregori showing that SARS-CoV-2 can awaken dormant cancer cells, triggering aggressive metastasis via IL-6-driven inflammation. COVID-19 may spark a wave of cancer relapses. Vaccines & IL-6 blockers could help.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🚀 Space Health Research Day – July 7 University of Pittsburgh
Join Kate Rubins, Chris Mason @saraseager.bsky.social, John Shoffner & leaders in space health & longevity.
Discover how space research transforms medicine for Earth & beyond.
🔗 pi.tt/space-biomed...
#SpaceHealth #SpaceBiomedicine
Join Kate Rubins, Chris Mason @saraseager.bsky.social, John Shoffner & leaders in space health & longevity.
Discover how space research transforms medicine for Earth & beyond.
🔗 pi.tt/space-biomed...
#SpaceHealth #SpaceBiomedicine
You’re Invited: From Space to Earth—Biology as a Bridge, July 7
pi.tt
June 27, 2025 at 6:28 PM
🚀 Space Health Research Day – July 7 University of Pittsburgh
Join Kate Rubins, Chris Mason @saraseager.bsky.social, John Shoffner & leaders in space health & longevity.
Discover how space research transforms medicine for Earth & beyond.
🔗 pi.tt/space-biomed...
#SpaceHealth #SpaceBiomedicine
Join Kate Rubins, Chris Mason @saraseager.bsky.social, John Shoffner & leaders in space health & longevity.
Discover how space research transforms medicine for Earth & beyond.
🔗 pi.tt/space-biomed...
#SpaceHealth #SpaceBiomedicine
From my recent time at the PA Capitol building discussing Space Research with @lgaustindavis.bsky.social and others:
www.pittwire.pitt.edu/accolades-ho...
www.pittwire.pitt.edu/accolades-ho...
Afshin Beheshti represented Pitt Space in Harrisburg
He joined government officials, representatives from NASA and industry leaders in the state capital to discuss Pennsylvania’s future as a national aerospace leader.
www.pittwire.pitt.edu
May 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
From my recent time at the PA Capitol building discussing Space Research with @lgaustindavis.bsky.social and others:
www.pittwire.pitt.edu/accolades-ho...
www.pittwire.pitt.edu/accolades-ho...
This was a wonderful time with the amazing Chris Mason and thanks to the NASA’s OSDR team for featuring our work!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIzu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIzu...
OSDR Success Story: Dr Afshin Beheshti and Dr Chris Mason
YouTube video by NASA GeneLab
www.youtube.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:50 AM
This was a wonderful time with the amazing Chris Mason and thanks to the NASA’s OSDR team for featuring our work!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIzu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIzu...
I had the pleasure of participating with a roundtable discussion with a new New Aerospace Caucus in Pennsylvania being launched by Lt. Governor Austin Davis
Here is the press release on this great event:
pacast.com/m?p=27546
Looking forward to more great things to come.
Here is the press release on this great event:
pacast.com/m?p=27546
Looking forward to more great things to come.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Partners with State Lawmakers to Launch New Aerospace Caucus
Today, during the second annual Aerospace Day at the state Capitol, the Shapiro-Davis Administration highlighted their support for Pennsylvania's aerospace and aviation industry, in partnership with l...
pacast.com
May 6, 2025 at 11:09 PM
I had the pleasure of participating with a roundtable discussion with a new New Aerospace Caucus in Pennsylvania being launched by Lt. Governor Austin Davis
Here is the press release on this great event:
pacast.com/m?p=27546
Looking forward to more great things to come.
Here is the press release on this great event:
pacast.com/m?p=27546
Looking forward to more great things to come.
New paper I was a co-author on led by Mathieu Vinken on reducing animal testing in life & space sciences 🧬🚀 We highlight ethical, human-relevant alternatives like organ-on-chip & AI.
Read more:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Read more:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Taking the 3Rs to a higher level: replacement and reduction of animal testing in life sciences in space research
Human settlements on the Moon, crewed missions to Mars and space tourism will become a reality in the next few decades. Human presence in space, espec…
www.sciencedirect.com
April 8, 2025 at 11:51 AM
New paper I was a co-author on led by Mathieu Vinken on reducing animal testing in life & space sciences 🧬🚀 We highlight ethical, human-relevant alternatives like organ-on-chip & AI.
Read more:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Read more:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
I, along with Chris Mason, were interviewed in the latest Salon news article on the impact of prolonged space missions.
Check out the full article here: www.salon.com/2025/03/15/n...
#SpaceBiomedicine #AstronautHealth #Microgravity #Mitochondria
Check out the full article here: www.salon.com/2025/03/15/n...
#SpaceBiomedicine #AstronautHealth #Microgravity #Mitochondria
NASA astronauts to return home after major delay. Their extended stay could have health consequences
Radiation from space affects the brain, bones, and genes. These two astronauts will soon begin their recovery
www.salon.com
March 17, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I, along with Chris Mason, were interviewed in the latest Salon news article on the impact of prolonged space missions.
Check out the full article here: www.salon.com/2025/03/15/n...
#SpaceBiomedicine #AstronautHealth #Microgravity #Mitochondria
Check out the full article here: www.salon.com/2025/03/15/n...
#SpaceBiomedicine #AstronautHealth #Microgravity #Mitochondria
A new story from @reuters.com quoting me on spaceflight health risks:
www.reuters.com/science/how-...
www.reuters.com/science/how-...
How does space travel affect astronaut health?
The human body was not built for spaceflight, with its microgravity conditions, exposure to high-energy radiation and other issues. As a result, trekking beyond the Earth's confines causes many physiological changes that affect an astronaut's health.
www.reuters.com
February 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A new story from @reuters.com quoting me on spaceflight health risks:
www.reuters.com/science/how-...
www.reuters.com/science/how-...
If you happen to be in Mars or surrounding area on the morning of February 26th, attend this event: Countdown Breakfast (www.marsnewyear.com/count-down-b...)
Let's start getting the next generation of young people involved in Space Biomedicine research!
(ok this is Mars, PA 😀)
Let's start getting the next generation of young people involved in Space Biomedicine research!
(ok this is Mars, PA 😀)
Countdown Breakfast | Mars New Year
www.marsnewyear.com
February 15, 2025 at 9:53 PM
If you happen to be in Mars or surrounding area on the morning of February 26th, attend this event: Countdown Breakfast (www.marsnewyear.com/count-down-b...)
Let's start getting the next generation of young people involved in Space Biomedicine research!
(ok this is Mars, PA 😀)
Let's start getting the next generation of young people involved in Space Biomedicine research!
(ok this is Mars, PA 😀)
Nice article in the 100th anniversary edition of the New Yorker talking about space featuring me, Christopher Mason, and Robert Schwartz!
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Can the Human Body Endure a Voyage to Mars?
In the coming years, an unprecedented number of people will leave planet Earth—but it’s becoming increasingly clear that deep space will make us sick.
www.newyorker.com
February 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Nice article in the 100th anniversary edition of the New Yorker talking about space featuring me, Christopher Mason, and Robert Schwartz!
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Here is a nice press release including quotes from me on work that will be started on a new NASA grant I have with my good collaborator Gerlinde Metz from University of Lethbridge: www.ulethbridge.ca/unews/articl...
University of Lethbridge researchers part of a global team studying the effects of space travel | UNews
www.ulethbridge.ca
January 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Here is a nice press release including quotes from me on work that will be started on a new NASA grant I have with my good collaborator Gerlinde Metz from University of Lethbridge: www.ulethbridge.ca/unews/articl...
🧠🚀Could space exploration increase the risk of Parkinson's Disease (PD)? Dr. Nilufar Ali led our perspective in npj Microgravity exploring parallels between spaceflight stressors and PD-like changes, from mitochondrial dysfunction to altered dopamine pathways.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Space exploration and risk of Parkinson’s disease: a perspective review - npj Microgravity
npj Microgravity - Space exploration and risk of Parkinson’s disease: a perspective review
www.nature.com
January 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
🧠🚀Could space exploration increase the risk of Parkinson's Disease (PD)? Dr. Nilufar Ali led our perspective in npj Microgravity exploring parallels between spaceflight stressors and PD-like changes, from mitochondrial dysfunction to altered dopamine pathways.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In case you were wondering what I listen to while I do my science, here are my top 50 albums of 2024:
December 30, 2024 at 7:45 PM
In case you were wondering what I listen to while I do my science, here are my top 50 albums of 2024:
Reposted by Afshin Beheshti
Land doesn’t vote. Stop pretending it does.
December 14, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Land doesn’t vote. Stop pretending it does.
Here is an interview in @ASCO with me discussing the potential risk of cancer development due to SARS-CoV-2 infection:
ascopost.com/issues/decem...
ascopost.com/issues/decem...
Could SARS–CoV-2 Be an Oncogenic Agent and Cancer Initiator?
According to Afshin Beheshti, PhD, President of the COVID-19 International Research Team and Professor of Surgery and Computational and Systems Biology, Director of the Space Biomedicine Program, and ...
ascopost.com
December 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Here is an interview in @ASCO with me discussing the potential risk of cancer development due to SARS-CoV-2 infection:
ascopost.com/issues/decem...
ascopost.com/issues/decem...
Take a look at a nice article from the University of Minnesota Alumni magazine on my work:
www.minnesotaalumni.org/stories/the-...
www.minnesotaalumni.org/stories/the-...
The Perils of Space
Alum Afshin Beheshti researches the effect of space travel on human beings.
www.minnesotaalumni.org
December 13, 2024 at 2:28 PM
Take a look at a nice article from the University of Minnesota Alumni magazine on my work:
www.minnesotaalumni.org/stories/the-...
www.minnesotaalumni.org/stories/the-...
The Center for Space Biomedicine at Pitt Space, led by me, is thrilled to host Dr. Christopher Mason, PhD, from Weill Cornell Medicine, for an extraordinary talk on Genetic & Epigenetic Responses to Spaceflight & Plans for the Moon, Venus, and Mars. Join us!!
December 9, 2024 at 2:53 PM
The Center for Space Biomedicine at Pitt Space, led by me, is thrilled to host Dr. Christopher Mason, PhD, from Weill Cornell Medicine, for an extraordinary talk on Genetic & Epigenetic Responses to Spaceflight & Plans for the Moon, Venus, and Mars. Join us!!
See below article at UPMC news discussing our new paper on COVID-19 and implications with #LongCovid COVID!!
inside.upmc.com/study-untang...
inside.upmc.com/study-untang...
Study Untangles How COVID-19 Wreaks Widespread Damage in the Body - UPMC & Pitt Health Sciences News Blog
New research published in the journal Proceedings of the National… Read more
inside.upmc.com
December 2, 2024 at 3:44 PM
See below article at UPMC news discussing our new paper on COVID-19 and implications with #LongCovid COVID!!
inside.upmc.com/study-untang...
inside.upmc.com/study-untang...
Check out a our new paper redefining the "cytokine storm" in lethal COVID-19, linking it to mitochondrial dysfunction and over activation of the RAAS pathway, causing multi-organ damage. Long COVID implications are discussed!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@RobSchwartzLab @mason_lab
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@RobSchwartzLab @mason_lab
Lethal COVID-19 associates with RAAS-induced inflammation for multiple organ damage including mediastinal lymph nodes | PNAS
Lethal COVID-19 outcomes are attributed to classic cytokine storm. We revisit this
using RNA sequencing of nasopharyngeal and 40 autopsy samples fr...
www.pnas.org
November 27, 2024 at 11:49 PM
Check out a our new paper redefining the "cytokine storm" in lethal COVID-19, linking it to mitochondrial dysfunction and over activation of the RAAS pathway, causing multi-organ damage. Long COVID implications are discussed!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@RobSchwartzLab @mason_lab
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
@RobSchwartzLab @mason_lab
Here is a short chat on one of my papers on miRNAs in space with NASA OSDR:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVj7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVj7...
OSDR Chats with Dr Afshin Beheshti
YouTube video by NASA GeneLab
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Here is a short chat on one of my papers on miRNAs in space with NASA OSDR:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVj7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVj7...
Here is another nice publication I was part of on studying how spaceflight exposure triggers epigenetic changes, promoting genomic plasticity in murine skin.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Mission SpaceX CRS-19 RRRM-1 Space Flight Induced Skin Genomic Plasticity via an Epigenetic Trigger
Exposure to space environment (ESE) profoundly impacts the epigenome as marked by
DNA hypomethylation to induce rodent genomic plasticity in responders. Non-responders
fail to respond to adaptive cues...
www.cell.com
November 18, 2024 at 12:48 PM
Here is another nice publication I was part of on studying how spaceflight exposure triggers epigenetic changes, promoting genomic plasticity in murine skin.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Checkout a new book chapter which I led on "Methodologies for Mitochondrial Omic Profiling During Spaceflight"
link.springer.com/protocol/10....
link.springer.com/protocol/10....
Methodologies for Mitochondrial Omic Profiling During Spaceflight
To be able to understand how spaceflight can affect human biology, there is a need for maximizing the amount of information that can be obtained from experiments flown to space. Recently there has bee...
link.springer.com
November 18, 2024 at 12:15 PM
Checkout a new book chapter which I led on "Methodologies for Mitochondrial Omic Profiling During Spaceflight"
link.springer.com/protocol/10....
link.springer.com/protocol/10....
If you happen to be in Rome this week… Come on by to Sapienza University to hear me talk...
November 18, 2024 at 2:12 AM
If you happen to be in Rome this week… Come on by to Sapienza University to hear me talk...
Trying this out! Seems like it might be a good alternative to the to other social sites..
November 18, 2024 at 1:41 AM
Trying this out! Seems like it might be a good alternative to the to other social sites..