Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahdieh Khodarahmi | Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

Isfahan university of medical science | Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahdieh Khodarahmi is an accomplished nutrition scientist with extensive expertise in gene–diet interactions, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk factors, currently affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences where she has made significant academic, clinical, and research contributions. Her scholarly journey reflects a strong focus on investigating the interplay between genetic variants, dietary quality indices, antioxidant capacity, and obesity-related outcomes in adults. She has served as a research assistant and scholar on multiple national and international projects addressing obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, and metabolic health, producing high-quality publications in leading journals. Alongside her research, she has taught university-level courses, supervised theses, and contributed actively to peer review for prestigious journals. Her work bridges molecular nutrition, public health, and personalized medicine, making her a leading voice in nutrition sciences. Dedicated to advancing evidence-based strategies for health promotion, Dr. Khodarahmi combines academic rigor with practical expertise.

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Education:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahdieh Khodarahmi pursued her doctoral degree in Nutrition Sciences at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , where her dissertation explored the interactions between dietary quality indices and melanocortin receptor polymorphisms in relation to hypothalamic hormones, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese adults, under the supervision of Prof. Mahdieh Abbasalizad Farhangi. Prior to her PhD, she completed a master’s degree in Nutrition Sciences at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, focusing her thesis on the association between dietary patterns and upper gastrointestinal tract disorders among Iranian adults, supervised by Prof. Leila Azadbakht. She began her academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Sciences (2007–2011) also at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, where she developed a solid foundation in clinical nutrition and dietetics. Her educational path reflects a consistent commitment to advancing nutritional science through research on diet-disease interactions, preparing her for impactful contributions in academia and public health.

Experience:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahdieh Khodarahmi has gained extensive academic and research experience through diverse roles in nutrition sciences and clinical research. She served as a Research Assistant at the Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz, working with Prof. Mahdieh Abbasalizad Farhangi on projects investigating MC4R and CART gene polymorphisms in relation to dietary glycemic load, glycemic index, and antioxidant capacity in obese adults . Earlier, she contributed as a Research Scholar in the team of Prof. Ahmad Esmaillzadeh , studying the effect of egg intake on serum lipids in overweight women. Her teaching contributions include serving as an Instructor at the University of Tabriz, teaching courses on diet and diet therapy , and as a Teaching Assistant for hospital-based nutrition training. Additionally, she has supervised master’s theses and reviewed manuscripts for prominent journals, demonstrating her multifaceted expertise as a researcher, educator, mentor, and reviewer in nutrition and metabolic health.

Awards and Honors:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahdieh Khodarahmi has earned recognition for her outstanding academic and professional achievements throughout her career. her doctoral thesis at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences received the highest distinction, highlighting her scholarly excellence and innovative research contributions in nutritional genomics. Earlier in her academic journey, she was nominated as “the Pioneer Student”  during the fourth pioneer students’ celebration, a recognition of her early leadership and academic promise. she served as Chief Editor and member of the editorial board of the “Toranj Journal,” a student-run science and culture magazine at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, where she honed her academic writing and editorial skills. Beyond formal honors, her active role as a reviewer for top international journals such as the British Medical Journal, British Journal of Nutrition, and Frontiers in Nutrition underscores her recognition by the global scientific community for her expertise and critical insights.

Research Focus:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahdieh Khodarahmi research focuses on the intersection of nutrition, genetics, and metabolic health, particularly exploring gene–diet interactions in obesity and related cardiometabolic risk factors. Her studies investigate how dietary quality indices, glycemic index and load, and antioxidant capacity interact with genetic polymorphisms, including MC4R, CART, and FADS2 variants, to influence hormonal regulation, metabolic phenotypes, and cardiovascular outcomes. She has conducted extensive work on obesity prevention and management, identifying how personalized nutrition strategies can mitigate risks and improve health outcomes in genetically susceptible individuals. Additionally, her meta-analyses and systematic reviews provide robust evidence on the effects of dietary factors such as soy, fats, and sugar-sweetened beverages on inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and quality of life. By combining molecular nutrition, epidemiology, and clinical nutrition, her research contributes to precision nutrition approaches and evidence-based dietary guidelines aimed at addressing obesity and improving public health at both individual and population levels.

Conclusion:

Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahdieh Khodarahmi is a highly capable and promising researcher with a proven track record in the field of nutrition sciences and obesity research. Her solid academic background, rich research experience, high-quality publications, and active contributions to the scientific community make her a suitable and competitive candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. With increased international collaborations and expanded translational research, her contributions could reach an even broader global audience and further establish her as a leader in her field.