IRVINE, CA, September 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Zahra Aghajan has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Aghajan currently serves as the head of machine learning science at Atlas, a position she has held since 2025. In this capacity, she leads a team of neuroscientists and machine learning experts in analyzing brain data to uncover connections between neural signals and factors such as sleep, exercise, and daily activities. By collaborating closely with other teams, Dr. Aghajan helps create consumer-friendly tools designed to enhance public engagement with the brain. The role also involves conducting scientific research, reviewing existing publications and translating laboratory findings into practical applications for everyday life.
Before joining Atlas, Dr. Aghajan spent four years at Kernel, a neurotechnology startup focused on advancing brain health solutions. From 2024 to 2025, she was a staff data scientist at the same firm, following previous roles as senior data scientist from 2023 to 2024 and data scientist from 2020 to 2023. At Kernel, Dr. Aghajan contributed to research aimed at translating neuroscience findings to health-related outcomes including clinical trials involving patients with mild cognitive impairment and depression. This work emphasized translating complex scientific concepts into accessible tools for both patients and the general public.
Prior to her industry experience at Kernel, Dr. Aghajan was an assistant professor in research at the University of California, Los Angeles. During this period, she continued working directly with patients and focused on understanding memory processes to aid individuals living with memory and other neuropsychiatric disorders. This academic appointment followed postdoctoral studies in the psychiatry and neurosurgery departments at the University of California, Los Angeles, from 2015 to 2019, where she pioneered research that allowed for recording brain activity while individuals with implanted neuromodulation devices could walk around and perform daily activities. She also participated in clinical trials supporting patients with post-traumatic stress disorder through brain stimulation.
In addition to academic appointments, Dr. Aghajan served as vice president of applied artificial intelligence at Textpert in Los Angeles from 2018 to 2019, overseeing initiatives that bridged mental health and artificial intelligence applications. Earlier, she was a lecturer in the physics and astronomy department at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2016.
Dr. Aghajan's expertise has been recognized beyond traditional academic and industry settings. In 2024, she was featured as a principal cast member in How to Build a Truth Engine, a documentary addressing misinformation and disinformation. Additionally, her professional memberships include the Society for Neuroscience, Organization for Human Brain Mapping and Women in Physics.
Academic achievements have played a foundational role in shaping Dr. Aghajan's career trajectory. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Science in physics with a focus on neurophysics from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2015, after completing a bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics from Sharif University of Technology in Iran in 2008 before immigrating to the United States.
To further support her professional development, Dr. Aghajan has earned multiple certifications relevant to project management, machine learning and biomedical research compliance from organizations such as Coursera Inc., CITI Program and others. Notable certifications include Good Clinical Practice, Human Research for Biomedical Researchers and Staff, Foundations of Project Management and Machine Learning, among others.
A passion for discovery has been central to Dr. Aghajan's success throughout all stages of education and career advancement. This drive is fueled by an enduring love of learning and an eagerness to uncover new knowledge. Her commitment extends beyond professional obligations through active involvement in civic organizations and outreach initiatives. She served as president and mentor for Project SYNAPSE at the UCLA Brain Research Institute from 2015 to 2019, leading outreach programs for high school and elementary school students interested in neuroscience research. Additional extracurricular engagement includes membership in the Salsa Society at UCLA.
Recognition for excellence throughout Dr. Aghajan's career is reflected in numerous honors for research, teaching and academic achievement. Her distinctions include the UCLA Chancellor's Award for Postdoctoral Research, finalist recognition for the Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholars Award and the Novo Nordisk Foundation BioInnovation Institute Proposal, awards from the National Institutes of Health and the Society for Neuroscience, multiple research fellowships, teaching honors from UCLA's Department of Physics & Astronomy and the Bronze Medal at the National Chemistry Olympiad in Iran.
Born in Tehran, Iran, Dr. Aghajan values time spent with family—particularly enjoying activities with her daughter—as well as dancing across Latin styles, ballroom dance and ballet, practicing photography, hiking and leading power yoga.
Looking ahead, Dr. Aghajan is dedicated to fostering greater public awareness of the brain so that individuals feel empowered to discuss their neurological well-being alongside other aspects of physical health, and to encouraging lifestyle changes that promote long-term cognitive health. She encourages others to believe in their capacity to grow, evolve and create meaningful opportunities for themselves. She stresses that progress depends not on following a perfect path, but on responding to challenges with curiosity, flexibility and determination.
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