Graduate Research Degree Awarded - Shokouh Shahrokhi

Congratulations to Shokouh Shahrokhi - Graduate Research Degree Awarded 2nd October 2025.

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Supervisors: A/Prof David Godler, A/prof Mirana Ramialison, Prof Melissa Southey
Advisory Committee: Prof David Thorburn, Prof David Amor

Thesis Title: Defining Differential Expression at 15q11-q13 and the Broader Transcriptome Predictive of Clinical Severity in Prader-Willi Syndrome

Thesis Summary: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with diverse genetic causes and phenotypic variability. This PhD investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying PWS co-morbidities through transcriptomics, pathway analyses and gene expression versus phenotype studies in brain tissues from donors with PWS, and blood of living individuals with PWS. The study identified potential markers that could inform the development of novel therapeutic targets and subtype-specific interventions.

Date awarded: 2nd October 2025