Welcome to our Profound Research spotlight series, where we have the privilege of introducing you to our esteemed Principal Investigators at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries. We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Dr. Sahagian, a remarkable and visionary researcher who has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of modern neurology. Dr. Sahagian's contributions have not only expanded our understanding of the complexities of the human brain but have also brought hope and healing to countless individuals grappling with neurological challenges.
Dr. Sahagian is a board-certified neurologist with expertise in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine with over 25 years in clinical research. He cares for patients at the Neurology Center of Southern California and serves as the Medical Director of Neurosciences at Scripps Health. He’s currently involved in several research projects in areas that include myasthenia gravis, polyneuropathy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neurological biomarkers, migraine, and mild cognitive impairment.
Learn more below about the life, work, and profound impact of Dr. Sahagian.
What led you to clinical research?
Dr. Sahagian: I have always been interested in research. After earning my Chemical Engineering degree, I decided to pursue a career in medicine because I wanted to have a more direct impact on people’s lives. I initially thought I would focus on bioengineering research, but I quickly realized that I enjoyed clinical care. This led me to participate in clinical research, where I could combine my interest in research with my passion for helping patients.
What is your favorite part about working in clinical research?
Dr. Sahagian: My favorite part about working in clinical research is the opportunity to help patients. I am passionate about finding new treatments that can improve the lives of people with neurological diseases. I also enjoy the challenge of conducting research and contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge.
Do you have a particular success story that stuck with you?
Dr. Sahagian: One success story that sticks out to me is the case of a patient with myasthenia gravis who was able to go into remission after participating in one of our research trials. This patient had been struggling with the disease for many years and had tried many different treatments with suboptimal response. After participating in our trial, he was able to stop all his medications and has remained in remission.
What would you want people to know about clinical research?
Dr. Sahagian: I would want people to know how important clinical research is to the process of developing new treatments for diseases. It is also an opportunity for patients to potentially change the course of their health journey and help to advance medical knowledge. I would also want them to know that if they are interested in participating in clinical research, I would encourage them to talk to their doctor.
What are some hobbies/interests of yours outside of clinical research?
Dr. Sahagian: Outside of clinical research, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, surfing, record collecting, writing about music, and gardening.
Profound Research is honored to have Dr. Sahagian serving as our Chief Scientific Officer and a leading force in our pursuit of knowledge. We eagerly anticipate the future breakthroughs and advancements that his expertise will undoubtedly bring to the world of neurology. Stay tuned for more of our spotlight series to learn about our team at Profound Research.
