Dr. Sanaz Memarzadeh

Dr. Sanaz Memarzadeh guides translational gynecologic oncology at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and directs the G.O. Discovery Laboratory, a multidisciplinary hub where bench scientists and clinicians converge around one goal: improving the lives of individuals facing ovarian, endometrial, and rare gynecologic tumors. Before morning clinic, she meets surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, genetic counselors, pharmacists, dietitians, and social‐work navigators to review pelvic imaging, next-generation sequencing, and patient-reported symptom logs. This forum produces a single, coordinated plan—surgical timelines, systemic-therapy intervals, fertility-preservation steps—so patients avoid the confusion of piecemeal advice. Multilingual nurse coordinators then consolidate scans, tele-visits, and insurance approvals into one call, easing travel burdens for families who commute across Southern California. A secure portal lists infusion calendars, laboratory trends, and direct-message links, transforming anxious wait times into transparent dialogue. Patients leave the first appointment knowing every recommendation reflects consensus among experts who communicate continuously. 

 

Dr. Memarzadeh’s laboratory deciphers how fallopian-tube secretory cells evolve into high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and how the tumor microenvironment can be rewired for durable remission. Her flagship immunogenomic project engineers CAR macrophages that penetrate ovarian-cancer spheroids and ignite interferon signaling, an approach now entering first-in-human evaluation. Parallel organoid models, grown from patient biopsies, screen antibody–drug conjugates and PARP-sensitizing epigenetic inhibitors, while single-cell RNA atlases track clonal shifts under therapeutic pressure. Tissue, plasma, and imaging data generated by these protocols populate a living biobank that links genomic and spatial-proteomic signatures to outcome, enabling bedside decision dashboards clinicians can query in real time. By folding discovery directly back into clinical practice, she offers participants therapies that evolve with their tumor biology while informing worldwide guidelines. 

 

Beyond the laboratory Dr. Memarzadeh serves as a bridge between academia and community. She mentors fellows through a curriculum pairing wet-lab rotations with narrative-medicine workshops, teaching trainees to translate sequencing reports into language that resonates with patients and caregivers. Quarterly Women’s Health Forums—streamed in English, Spanish, and Mandarin—cover genetic testing, surgical options, and financial navigation, reaching clinics from the Central Valley to the border. Collaborative projects with biomedical engineers produce three-dimensional pelvic models that help surgeons rehearse nerve-sparing debulking, shortening operative time once in the operating room. Policy advocacy within national societies champions equitable insurance coverage for tumor-agnostic testing and rural-trial access, ensuring breakthroughs reach every zip code. These layered initiatives confirm that discovery, education, and equity can advance together, giving families confidence that their oncologist invents, teaches, and listens with equal passion.