Dr. Asgari is an expert in the multiscale experimental mechanics of biological materials, specializing in the structural and mechanical characterization and constitutive modeling of biological tissues. He obtained his PhD from McGill University in 2015, followed by postdoctoral training at McGill in 2018. From 2018 to 2020, Dr. Asgari was awarded an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, which he pursued at Northwestern University. Dr. Asgari's research is highly multidisciplinary and collaborative, and he is an author/coauthor on over 25 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, including Acta Biomaterialia (5X), Science, Cell Reports, Stem Cell Research, and Small. He has collaborated with leading researchers in his field, contributing to the advancement of biomechanics and biological material science.

Dr. Asgari’s work leverages cutting-edge, state-of-the-art techniques, such as atomic force spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM), and in-situ SEM mechanical testing to interrogate the structural and mechanical properties of biological tissues such as the human aorta, periodontal ligament, and skin. His research concerns how disease processes alter tissue ultrastructure and mechanical behavior, with a focus on enhancing diagnostic capabilities, optimizing therapeutic strategies, and driving innovations in medical device design, such as aortic grafts. In 2024, he joined the Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida as an Assistant Professor, where he continues to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, engineering, and nanotechnology.

Focused Research Thrusts:

Thrust 1: Investigation of extracellular and intracellular structural and mechanical aberrations in cardiovascular tissues affected by diseases such as atherosclerosis, aneurysm, and stenosis. Long-term plan: Design and development of active vascular grafts that replicate the natural arterial responses to vasoactive stimuli.

Thrust 2: Multi-scale structural and mechanical characterization of crustacean exoskeletons for biomimetic design. Study of structural and mechanical functional gradients, dissipation, and toughening mechanisms in naturally mineralized tissues.

Lab's Research Focus