Linking microscopic discoveries to muscle function
Dr. Fasih Rahman, who graduated with a PhD in Kinesiology this year, has always been interested in how our muscles function properly, especially under stress and disease.听
When he started graduate research, he was broadly interested in skeletal muscle physiology but, over聽time, he found himself increasingly drawn to the role of mitochondria 鈥 the energy producers of our cells.听
鈥淚n nearly every stress condition I studied, whether physiological or pathological, the mitochondria were consistently involved,鈥 says Rahman. 鈥淭hat recurring link made me realize how central they are to muscle health and disease. This motivated me to explore mitochondrial remodeling in greater depth.鈥
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of many diseases, from muscle wasting and aging to cancer and neurodegeneration. Rahman鈥檚 findings have significant implications for therapeutic approaches aimed at maintaining skeletal muscle health.听聽
鈥淢y research explores how mitochondria adapt or fail to adapt under stress,鈥 he explains. 鈥淭he goal is to understand聽how these defects drive disease progression and identify聽pathways that can be targeted to improve cellular and muscle health.鈥
Integrative approach to physiology
Rahman was drawn to the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences because of its integrative approach to physiology, which combines cell and tissue methods to answer questions about whole-body function.
The program offered an ideal environment for me to explore my research interests to whatever depth I chose. What truly set it apart was the excellent research infrastructure, the supportive people in the department, and the overall innovative and collaborative culture at 蓝莓视频. It felt like the right place for me to grow as a researcher.
And grow he did. During his doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr. Joe Quadrilatero, Rahman authored and co-authored 32 conference proceedings, and published 32 full-length papers and book chapters, including contributions to leading journals such as聽Autophagy.听
Upon graduation, Rahman was awarded the distinguished Governor General鈥檚 Gold Medal, which honours graduate students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and a remarkable commitment to scholarly excellence.
Rahman is continuing his research as an NSERC-funded postdoctoral scholar at the University of Guelph, aiming to expand his expertise in bioenergetics and metabolism. His goal is to bridge the gap between mitochondrial stress responses and metabolic regulation.听
Rahman advises incoming PhD graduate students to keep in mind that progress comes in small, steady steps. 鈥淧rogress isn鈥檛 linear. Be curious, stay adaptable and don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions.
鈥淎bove all, surround yourself with people who challenge and support you.鈥