Armin Mortazi

Donaghey Scholar Armin Mortazi recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from UA Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. During his undergraduate studies, Armin was deeply involved in antimicrobial-resistant bacterial research. Under the supervision of Professor Noureen Siraj, he developed a combination antibiotic utilizing both physical and chemical mechanisms to eliminate multidrug-resistant bacteria. He presented these results at local, state, and international conferences, earning multiple awards for both oral and poster presentations. He subsequently continued this critical research at the Food and Drug Administration.
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Beyond academics, Armin was a dedicated leader in the Trojan community, establishing three student organizations: the Pre-Health Club, the Materials Research Society, and the Research and Creative Works club. Furthermore, his passion for healthcare led him to work as a patient care technician at Baptist Health and as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens. He also served the Little Rock community by volunteering as a phlebotomist at the Harmony Health Clinic and the 12th Street Health and Wellness Clinic. In the fall, Armin will pursue a Master’s in Public Health as a Medical Scholar in Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he aims to deepen his understanding of the intersection between healthcare and community wellness. He plans to continue his education and ultimately become a practicing physician, utilizing his background in research and clinical experience to improve his patients' health outcomes.
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A fun fact about Armin Mortazi is that he interned at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he researched Lymphatic Malformation Endothelial Cells (LMECs) in pediatric patients.