Dr Mehrnaz Mesdaghi earned her MD and PhD degrees from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and is currently an Associate Professor of Immunology at Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. She is the founder and director of the Allergy and Primary Immunodeficiency Lab in Mofid Children’s Hospital and Massoud Medical Laboratory, Tehran, which are active in diagnosis and research in these fields. She also serves as the head of the Clinical Research Development Center in Mofid Children’s Hospital, coordinating clinical research efforts.
Mehrnaz’s research focuses on allergy (with a particular emphasis on eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders and food allergies) and inborn errors of immunity. Her work has significantly contributed to the understanding of these disorders, and she has extensive experience diagnosing them.
Dr Mesdaghi has been a council member of the Iranian Society of Immunology (ISIA) since 2012 and is currently its president. She is also a council member of the Federation of Immunological Societies of Asia-Oceania (FIMSA) and the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). Mehrnaz has been actively engaged in IUIS activities since 2015 as a member of the IUIS Education Committee.
In addition to her research and academic roles, Mehrnaz is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM fields. She has been recognised for her contributions to science and advocacy.
Can you share some of the key findings from your research on eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders?
Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are chronic inflammatory diseases characterised by persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and the infiltration of eosinophils into the gastrointestinal tract without a specific cause for eosinophilia, such as a parasitic infection or malignancy. Diagnosis of these conditions is based on counting eosinophils in tissue biopsy. There are several patients with clinical presentations of these diseases but without elevated levels of eosinophils in tissue. In our most recent study, we could document the presence of eosinophil cell-free granules in esophageal and colon biopsy of patients with suspected eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic colitis by IHC staining using CCR3 and MBP markers, which can be employed in the diagnosis of these conditions.
In your experience, what is the food that presents the highest allergy response?
Any food can potentially induce an allergic response, but the most common food allergens worldwide are milk, egg, fish and shellfish, nuts, wheat, and soy. The most common food allergen is not the same in different countries and depends on various factors such as genetic background, migration, climate, diet, and infant feeding practices.
How has your experience with inborn errors of immunity shaped your approach to research and patient care?
During the first years of my career, I noted my fellow physicians’ challenges in diagnosing inborn errors of immunity (IEIs). The first step in successfully managing IEIs is to diagnose them promptly and precisely. My research and clinical practice are focused on this. I believe that an interdisciplinary approach by clinical and basic immunologists, other clinicians, and geneticists is crucial to making this happen. As IEIs are rare diseases, international collaborations are essential, and our group benefits from several international collaborations.
How do you see the field of immunology evolving in the next decade?
I believe the next decade in immunology promises to be a period of rapid advancement in the treatment of different diseases, driven by developments in ‘omics’ technologies and the implementation of personalized precision medicine. Tailoring treatments based on individual immune profiles will revolutionize cancer immunotherapy and the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
In past decades, immunology has played a pivotal role in eradicating and controlling infectious diseases; in the next decade, the emergence of innovative vaccine platforms will also lead to remarkable advancements in infectious disease prevention.
What were some of the pitfalls you faced when establishing your lab? Can you share some advice for researchers or clinicians starting new labs?
The pitfall of establishing a lab depends on the country and the institute where the scientist is working. In low-middle-income countries, the main pitfalls are usually insufficient funding and inadequate infrastructure, which I also faced. To overcome these limitations, it is very important to have a clear plan, prioritise your needs, and apply for funding from various sources. Collaboration with established partner labs is also helpful.
Research should ideally address real-world health issues or gaps in knowledge. Focusing on topics that lack practical application can lead to wasted resources; I also advise the new researchers to choose their research topic having these in mind and with realistic expectations.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in STEM, and how have you overcome them?
Women in STEM face many challenges during their careers. Personally, for me, the most challenging experience was maintaining a work-family balance after giving birth to my daughter. I changed my priorities, adjusted my expectations, and tried to reach my goals with precise planning to overcome this. Whenever an unexpected event disrupted my plans, I quickly adjusted the schedule based on the new circumstances. Reaching out for help is always beneficial, and I have to mention that my family and friends were really helpful.
As a woman in STEM, I feel responsible for paving the way for the next generation of women scientists. Therefore, we founded the Gender Equality in Science community (please follow us on Instagram and Linkedin). We have faced some controversy about our activities and even criticism from women, and we found equality was taboo to talk about. To overcome this, we tried to define gender equality as it really is and engage minds about the matter.
It is worth mentioning that being a woman is not a limitation but a difference. We should embrace our differences and highlight our strengths.
International collaborations play a significant role in immunology research. What advice would you offer someone trying to navigate this?
Participating in international conferences and meetings is the best opportunity for establishing collaborations. Therefore, my advice is to take any opportunity to attend international events, make friends and collaborate, and follow up online.
What other advice would you offer new researchers entering the field of immunology?
Let me not advise but congratulate new researchers in the field for choosing immunology and welcoming them into the realm of science that will revolutionise the future of medicine. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful!
Interview by Bonamy (Bon) Holtak
