Dr. Moniri’s research focuses on the pharmacology and biochemistry of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which represent the largest class of drug targets in the human genome and account for approximately 40% of clinically used therapeutics. Our laboratory studies receptor signaling mechanisms, ligand bias, receptor regulation, and translational pharmacology in disease contexts including metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, pulmonary disease, and cancer. We are currently recruiting ambitious and motivated Ph.D. students to join the lab.

The role of FFA receptors in human health and disease

A major foci of our lab is investigation of the roles of the long-chain free-fatty acid receptors FFA1 (GPR40) and FFA4 (GPR120) in metabolic, neurodegenerative, cardiopulmonary, and cancer biology. We are particularly interested in the signaling and biased agonism of various dietary fats at these receptors and their contributions to human health and disease.

The role of phosphorylation in regulating the antidiabetic effects of FFA4 (GPR120)

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms that regulate FFA4 signaling, with a focus on phosphorylation-dependent control of receptor function and downstream signaling pathways, as well as endogenous, dietary, and synthetic ligands that modulate receptor activity.

β2-Adrenergic Receptors and Reactive Oxygen Species

The β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) mediates physiological responses to epinephrine and norepinephrine and is a major therapeutic target in asthma and COPD. We study agonist-induced ROS generation and redox-based post-translational modifications of β2AR that regulate signaling in airway physiology and disease.

Molecular pharmacology of the drug of abuse xylazine

Illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has increased dramatically in adulterated opioid mixtures. In collaboration with Dr. Clint Canal, we investigate receptor pharmacology and mechanisms underlying tissue damage and systemic toxicity.

Regulation of cell signaling in hypertension

In collaboration with Dr. Raquib Hasan's lab, and funded by an NIH R01 and several AHA grants, we are interested in the role of novel and existing drugs on regulation of various intracellular signaling pathways related to vascular function and hypertension.

Selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor drug development

Dr. Moniri and Dr. Clinton Canal are co-founders of Achmore Therapeutics, LLC, a drug discovery company focused on developing subtype-selective muscarinic receptor antagonists for both central and peripheral diseases. The platform prioritizes receptor subtype specificity to enable improved efficacy, reduced off-target pharmacology, and enhanced safety profiles for clinical translation.