PhD
Dr. Sakineh Shafia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. She earned her B.Sc. in Biology from Ferdowsi University (1989), her M.Sc. in Physiology from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (1994), and her Ph.D. in Physiology from Semnan University of Medical Sciences (2017). With over three decades of academic and research experience, Dr. Shafia has taught physiology extensively across several Iranian medical universities, including Zahedan, Zabol, Golestan, and Mazandaran. She has also served in leadership roles such as Director of the Physiology Department (2021–2023), Head of the Student Research Committee, and member of various scientific and cultural committees within Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.
Academic & Administrative Roles
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (2000–present)
Director, Department of Physiology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (2021–2023)
Member, Physiology Department, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (1994–2000)
Teaching Faculty, Zabol and Golestan Universities of Medical Sciences
Research & Committee Memberships
Member, Molecular & Cell Biology Research Center, Sari (2010–2012; 2018–present)
Member, Immunogenetics Research Center, Sari (2018–present)
Member, Educational Development Center (EDC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (2005–2008)
Head, Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (2006–2007)
Member, Cultural Committee, Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (2006–2007)
Member, Traditional & Complementary Science Congress Committee
Conference & Congress Participation
Presented in multiple Iranian and international congresses of Physiology & Pharmacology (1995–2025)
Oral and poster presentations on PTSD, exercise physiology, neuroendocrine regulation, and antidepressant interventions
Speaker at the International Neuroinflammation Congress (2019)
Presenter at Basic & Clinical Neuroscience Congress (2024)
Oral Presentation, 5th International & 26th National Congress of Physiology & Pharmacology, Semnan (2023)
Speaker, Student Research & Technology Congress (2025)
Publications & Editorial Contributions
Authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Physiology & Behavior, Brain Research, Hormones and Behavior, Neurotoxicity Research, and Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews
Contributor to Persian-language journals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
Co-author of the book New Physiology (Salemeh Publication, 2005)
Research Focus Areas
Neuroscience (learning & memory, PTSD, stress biology)
Exercise physiology & antidepressant effects on brain function
Molecular biology & neuroimmunology
Gut-brain axis and metabolic-neuroendocrine interactions
