Parisa Aris
From Iran to Canada, PhD student Parisa Aris has navigated an inspiring academic journey marked by perseverance and achievement. With eight publications—five as the first author—and the prestigious International Ontario Graduate Student Scholarship to her name, she is driven by a passion for molecular biology and bioinformatics.

In January 2020, Parisa Aris arrived in Canada from Iran to begin her PhD program at the Department of Biology under the supervision of Professor Xuhua Xia, an expert in cellular and molecular biology. Joining the Xia Lab marked the start of an exciting new chapter that allowed her to combine her background in medical laboratory science and microbiology with her passion for research.

“I love doing research, and my passion for molecular biology and microbiology drives me to publish as much as possible. Discovering something new and sharing it with others is incredibly fulfilling. It’s all about doing what I love,” says Parisa.

During her PhD, Parisa conducted an extensive bioinformatics study exploring new applications for griseofulvin—a natural antifungal historically used to treat dermatophytosis. After analyzing more than 250 fungal genomes, she used computational and comparative genome analysis to identify seven conserved genes responsible for the drug’s synthesis. She then explored griseofulvin’s potential for treating COVID-19 through molecular docking and dynamic simulations. Ultimately, she designed novel griseofulvin derivatives with promising antibacterial properties.

Her PhD journey was not without challenges. Just two months after her arrival, the COVID-19 pandemic upended normal life. Adapting to a new culture while redesigning her research project was no small feat. However, Parisa tackled these hurdles with resilience. Her expertise in bioinformatics allowed her to continue working remotely, and the support of her professors, lab members and friends was instrumental to her success.

In recognition of her outstanding academic achievements, Parisa was awarded the prestigious International Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). Valued at $15,000, this award is a testament to her qualifications, research publications, academic standing and volunteer activities. Parisa has been actively involved in translating COVID-19 information and in fundraising for childhood cancer through cycling events.

One of Parisa’s defining strengths is her independence in research. Professor Xia gave her the freedom to explore her interests, allowing her to design her projects, conduct analyses, write manuscripts and manage the publishing process herself. She published eight papers—including five as first author—and collaborated on two more with lab members. Her ability to work both independently and as part of a team highlights her leadership and initiative.

Parisa is now embarking on the next phase of her career as a molecular specialist at Southlake Hospital in Toronto. In this role, she will develop molecular tests and work with next-generation sequencing for cancer patients, applying her expertise to real-world challenges in health care.

Outside the lab, Parisa enjoys hiking, biking, swimming and painting——activities that reflect her adventurous and creative spirit. Her advice to aspiring researchers? “Follow your dreams and don’t give up, even when faced with challenges. Persistence and seeking help will lead you to success.”

She is deeply grateful for the unwavering support she received from professors Xuhua Xia, Ashkan Golshani and François-Xavier Campbell-Valois, who have believed in her from the very beginning.

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