Research Team

Dr. Rasouli received her MD degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Her internal medicine residency training was at Michigan State University, Lansing, MI and she completed her endocrinology fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, in 2002. Dr. Rasouli joined the faculty at the University of Colorado, Denver in 2009. She is a physician and a translational researcher at the University of Colorado and Eastern Colorado Veterans Health Care System. Dr. Rasouli has special interest in the management and treatment of patients with diabetes and metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Her research interests include studying the pathophysiology of insulin resistance particularly molecular mechanisms involved in adipose tissue inflammation and lipotoxicity associated with obesity and insulin resistance. In addition, Dr. Rasouli is leading several clinical trials to investigate novel therapeutic interventions in the management of diabetes.

Chelsea received her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies degree from the University of Colorado’s Physician Assistant program in 2015. Prior to attending PA school, Chelsea worked as a Health Educator and Wellness Coach for the State of Oklahoma. Chelsea’s academic background also includes a BS in Health and Exercise Science and an MS in Physiology, both from the University of Oklahoma. She joined Dr. Rasouli’s Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinical Trial Program in June 2015. Chelsea is delighted with the opportunity to merge her backgrounds in research, wellness and medicine to manage diabetes for patients participating in this important research.

Vatsala is a dedicated healthcare professional with a rich blend of clinical expertise and administrative acumen. She earned her MBBS degree from Baroda Medical College in Vadodara, India, and her HA-MBA degree from the University of Colorado Denver. Before joining Dr. Rasouli’s research team in January 2017, Vatsala completed a year of rigorous clinical rotations at SSG Hospital in Vadodara and served as a junior doctor and clinic manager at Bindal Eye Hospital in Sikar, India. Driven by her commitment to advancing medical knowledge, Vatsala seamlessly integrates her clinical insight and leadership skills as the team’s Research Manager. She plays a pivotal role in coordinating complex studies, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering collaboration to push the boundaries of academic medicine.

Reena received her B.H.M.S degree from Pune University, India. She completed her one-year residency with Jnana Prabodhini medical trust. She joined Dr. Rasouli’s research team in January 2022. Reena enjoys interacting with the patients and is excited to be part of a well-established and dedicated team. Based on her medical knowledge she will broaden her understanding in clinical research.

Dr. Zahra Kiaei has a background in pulmonary and critical care medicine and a strong interest in academic research. She previously served as an assistant professor, where she enjoyed teaching medical students and internal medicine residents, and caring for patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Her research contributions include translational studies in interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary fibrosis. She also has experience in molecular biology, digital pathology, and is currently involved in endocrinology clinical trials.

Dr. Rezaei is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She earned her medical degree from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, and worked as a family physician and general practitioner in primary health care centers across Iran. Alongside her clinical work, Marjan collaborated with the Endocrinology Research Center at her home institution, where she developed a strong interest in obesity and metabolic disorders. In May 2023, she joined Dr. Rasouli’s research team, where she now leads coordination of a clinical trial investigating the effects of semaglutide on intestinal permeability and metabolic health, and contributes to the NIH-funded RADIANT study on rare and atypical diabetes. Marjan is passionate about translational research and is eager to expand her expertise in clinical trials, biomarker discovery, and metabolic disease in an international and collaborative research environment.

Vedashree earned her Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering from MNIT Jaipur, India, and later received Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas, where she focused on biomaterials, image processing, and nanotechnology. Her experience includes working as a Graduate TA where she mentored students develop a wearable diagnostic device, a Quality Engineer at Cook Research Incorporated, contributing to quality improvements in Class II medical devices, and as a CRC At Aiyan Diabetes Center for studies in endocrinology. Vedashree is passionate about integrating engineering and clinical research to advance medical innovation and improve patient care.

Abtin Shams is an MD graduate from Iran. He began his research journey in the United States in August 2023 after working as a general practitioner in underserved areas of Iran in rural infirmaries and emergency rooms. He completed a one-year plastic surgery research fellowship at the University of California, Irvine, and in 2024 he initiated his clinical research role here to further strengthen his expertise in patient care in the United States. He plans to apply for residency in 2026. Outside of medicine, he love sports—particularly soccer and tennis—and his role model is Rafael Nadal

Mahdiyah attended Regis University to get her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. At Regis she worked to complete research in toxicology and has a passion for biological research. She joined Dr. Rasouli's Team in May of 2022 as clinical research assistant. Prior to joining the team Mahdiyah has experience working in clinical settings and in the future hopes to continue a career in research. Mahdiyah is excited to be a part of the team and to learn about clinical research and research practices.

Anvay earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout his undergraduate career, he worked as a medical assistant and a research assistant in a developmental biology lab investigating Heterotaxy and other congenital heart defects. He aspires to attend medical school and become a physician in the future. He was eager for the opportunity to join Dr. Rasouli's team in May of 2024 and is looking forward to expanding his clinical experiences.

Tsenaat earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver, where she contributed to various research projects that helped shape her passion for the medical field. Tsenaat joined Dr. Rasouli’s lab in June 2025 as a Clinical Research Coordinator and is excited to expand her clinical experience while deepening her understanding of academic medicine.

Sophia is a recent graduate of Regis University, where she received her Bachelors of Science in Biology. At Regis, she investigated the effects of sleep duration and quality on academic success and since then has developed a passion for scientific research. She joined Dr. Rasouli's team in May 2022 as a student assistant and is excited to grow as a Clinical Research Coordinator with hopes to learn more about clinical trials and medicine.

Valerie is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Regis University. Passionate about biology and patient care, Valerie aspires to become a prosthetist. She joined Dr. Rasouli's team in May 2024 as a student research assistant and is eager to gain experience in the field of endocrinology.