Maryam Ardalan honored as Mentor of the Year by the students
Researcher Maryam Ardalan has been named Research Mentor of the Year 2024 by the student organization Studenter i Forskning (SiF). She was nominated by her two students Menal Rasul and Janne Lenzig, who highlighted the inspiring and supportive environment she creates and her encouragement of independent thinking.
"I’m truly happy to receive this award, especially because it comes from the students who nominated and presented it," she says.
Maryam Ardalan focuses on fostering a supportive atmosphere that inspires and motivates students to explore their potential as researchers. She actively tailors her guidance to meet each student's unique needs and research goals.
Encouraging curiosity
She believes a good mentor should be both a guide and a collaborator:
"A good mentor listens carefully, adapts to the students’ needs, and balances structure with independence. It’s important to encourage curiosity while setting clear expectations and milestones. Building trust and being accessible are crucial for making students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and challenges," explains Maryam Ardalan.
Preclinical research on autism
Maryam Ardalan works in the Department of Physiology, where her research focuses on the link between premature birth and autism spectrum disorder. Specifically, she investigates how brain inflammation alters structures and contributes to autism development in preclinical models. Her aim is to identify biomarkers, improve early diagnostics, and support targeted treatments.
"The most exciting part of my research is uncovering how small changes in early brain development can have profound and varied consequences later in life. It’s fascinating to piece together the complex puzzle of interactions between genetics, environmental factors, and inflammation, and to explore their long-term effects," she says.
The field is currently advancing rapidly, with fundamental discoveries being translated into practical interventions and biomarkers.
"I value working in an interdisciplinary team, where every discovery opens new doors for innovation and collaboration. Solving problems together and creating new knowledge makes research even more inspiring," concludes Maryam Ardalan.