Dr Maryam Mohammadzadeh

I am a medical doctor and vision scientist with a strong interest in clinical ophthalmology, ocular biomechanics, and myopia research. My academic background bridges clinical practice and experimental vision science, with a particular focus on the mechanical and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying myopia progression.

Before joining the University of Plymouth, I earned my MD from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran) and worked as a Clinical Research Assistant at the Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, one of the leading ophthalmic research centres in the Middle East. There, I contributed to clinical trials and imaging-based research on retinal and corneal diseases, which strengthened my interest in translational ophthalmology and vision science.

At Plymouth, my PhD focuses on how eye movements influence ocular shape and contribute to myopia development, with the broader goal of identifying potential pharmacological and biomechanical targets to prevent or slow myopia progression. My research integrates ocular imaging, biomechanical modelling, and spatial constraint analysis to better understand the structural dynamics of the eye.

I am particularly interested in bridging the gap between clinical ophthalmology and experimental biomechanics, working across disciplines that connect medicine, neuroscience, and pharmacology.

I welcome collaboration opportunities related to ocular biomechanics, myopia control strategies, and computational modelling of eye growth.

• Senior Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Collaborator, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)
  Ongoing contribution to global epidemiological and vision-related disease burden studies.

• Licensed Medical Doctor, Iran Medical Council (IRIMC)
  Credential ID: 194514

• EPIC-Verified Medical Degree, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
  Verified by the EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials) service, April 2025.

My teaching interests lie at the intersection of clinical ophthalmology, vision science, and quantitative research methods. I particularly enjoy teaching subjects that connect anatomical and physiological understanding with translational and experimental research.

Key areas of interest include:

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye

• Ocular Diseases and Clinical Ophthalmology

• Vision Science and Visual System Function

• Handling and Preparation of Ocular Tissues (Human and Animal Models)

• Laboratory Skills in Tissue Analysis and Imaging

• Bridging Clinical Practice with Experimental Research Findings

• Quantitative Research Methods and Data Interpretation

• Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature

I am passionate about fostering an integrative learning approach that helps students and researchers link clinical evidence to laboratory insights, and develop the analytical skills required for high-quality ophthalmic and vision research.

Current Research Project

Mechanotransduction in Scleral Growth

My PhD project investigates how mechanical forces and eye movements influence scleral tissue remodelling and contribute to the development and progression of myopia. The research focuses on understanding the mechanotransductive pathways that regulate scleral growth and extracellular matrix adaptation under different spatial and mechanical conditions.

Using a combination of biomechanical modelling and tissue-based experimentation, this project examines both human and animal eye tissues to identify the cellular and molecular responses to mechanical stress. The ultimate goal is to define therapeutic targets capable of modulating scleral biomechanics to prevent or slow myopia progression.