Guzel Musina, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been awarded a predoctoral fellowship by the American Heart Association (AHA) for her project, “Novel optogenetics tool for the mouse embryonic cardiodynamic research.”
In this project, Musina’s main goal is “to develop a new optical tool for manipulating cardiodynamics in mouse embryos.”
“This involves creating and applying advanced optogenetic techniques to study the intricate processes within embryonic cardiac tissues. By focusing on innovative optical imaging, optogenetic control, and novel image processing methods in genetic mouse models, my aim is to improve our understanding of congenital heart defects and potentially contribute to better management of these defects,” she said.
“From my childhood, the lectures of my father — a high school teacher who himself was filled with wonder in physics and mathematics — kindled a fascination in me for the unseen forces that govern our world,” Musina continued. “This foundational curiosity evolved into a focused interest in optics and photonics during my college years.
“My educational journey, starting at Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU), in Moscow, and continuing through my PhD studies at the University of Houston, has been pivotal in shaping my career. At BMSTU, I gained a strong foundation in optics and photonics, enhanced by hands-on research in Kirill Zaytsev’s lab,” she said.
“These experiences honed my research skills and sparked my interest in biophotonics. Continuing my studies at the University of Houston, I joined professor of integrative physiology Dr. Irina Larina’s research group at Baylor College of Medicine and discovered the field of optogenetics under her guidance. This combination of rigorous academic training and cutting-edge research placed me in the fields of optogenetics and biophotonics more broadly.”
“The potential of optogenetics to provide precise control over cellular processes using light captivated me, especially its application in studying congenital heart defects. The promise of using light to revolutionize medical research and therapy is a driving force behind my commitment to this field.”
Receiving the AHA Predoctoral Fellowship was “a huge milestone” and “an incredible honor” for Musina, whose project “addresses a critical knowledge gap in cardiac developmental biology” and “will establish an optical tool to manipulate cardiodynamics in early mouse embryos, as well as identify and trace pacemaker cell regions responsible for regulating heart contractions in live cultured mouse embryos.”
“When I received the award, I was thrilled — not just because of the recognition, but because it validated the potential impact of the work,” she said. “As a new mother pursuing a PhD far from home, this fellowship also brought a deeply personal sense of encouragement.”