Afsoon Moktar, PhD, MSc, EMBA, BSN, BHS, CT (ASCP)
Professor
School
School of Physician Assistant Studies
Department
School of Physician Assistant Studies
Office Location
Griffin 405
Boston
Office Phone Office Phone: 617.274.3336
About
Dr. Afsoon Moktar is a Professor in the School of Physician Assistant Studies at MCPHS in Boston. She previously held faculty appointments at Sullivan University and the University of Louisville. Trained as a nurse, she is a certified cytologist and holds a PhD and MS in Pharmacology and Toxicology, along with an Executive MBA.
Dr. Moktar teaches foundational and clinical pathophysiology and is committed to mentoring future clinicians through rigorous, evidence-based, learner-centered instruction. Her scholarship spans cancer biology, including studies of DNA damage in HPV-transformed cervical models, as well as cardiovascular and stem cell research. She is also the author of Pathophysiology in Focus, an ebook designed to translate complex biological mechanisms into clinically relevant understanding for health professions learners.
Education
- PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville
- MS in Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville
- Executive Master of Business Administration, Bellarmine University
- BS in Health Science (Cytotechnology), University of Louisville
- BS in Nursing, University of Tehran
Research Interests
Cancer researchPrograms
Featured Affiliations
Physician Assistant Educator Association
WebsiteKentucky Association of Physician Assistants
WebsiteAmerican Association of Cancer Research
WebsiteEducation
- PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville
- MS in Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville
- Executive Master of Business Administration, Bellarmine University
- BS in Health Science (Cytotechnology), University of Louisville
- BS in Nursing, University of Tehran
Research Interests
Cancer researchPrograms
Publications
Book Chapters
- Moktar, A., Rodway G.W., Huether, S.E. Structure and Function of the Reproductive Systems. In: Huether, S.E., McCance, K.L., Brashers, V.L., Rote, N.S. Understanding Pathophysiology. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017: 779 – 790
- McCance, K.L., Moktar, A.. Alterations in Female Reproductive System. In: Huether, S.E., McCance, K.L., Brashers, V.L., Rote, N.S. Understanding Pathophysiology. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017: 802 – 853
First Authored, eBook
- Pathophysiology in Focus, 2025, Moktar, A.
Selective Peer-Reviewed Publications:
- Tran, M., Truong, E., Moktar, A. The significance of cognitive function assessment in treatment-naive high- grade glioma patients on clinical outcomes using neuropsychological tests: a review of current research. J Clin Oncol.2025;43(suppl):e14022. Published online May 22, 2025. ASCO Annual Meeting; May 30-June 3, 2025; Chicago, IL.
- Vajravelu, B.N., Al-Maqtari, T., Moktar, A., Cao, P., Vu, D., Bhatnagar, A., Bolli, R., Hong, K.U. Stem Cell Factor-Mediated Activation of c-kit Promotes Survival and Migration of Cardiac Stem Cells [Poster session]. Second annual meeting of Kentucky Chapter of the American Physiology Society, Louisville, KY; 2014, March 31.
- Al-Maqtari, T., Vajravelu, B.N., Moktar, A., Cao, P., Book, M., Bhatnagar, A., Bolli, R., Hong, K.U. Gata4 Overexpression to Solve the Dilemma of Limited Differentiation of Human c-kit+ Cardiac Stem Cells Used in Heart Repair. Research of Louisville, Louisville, KY; 2014, September 16-19.
- Al-Maqtari, T., Vajravelu, B.N., Moktar, A., Cao, P., Book, M., Bhatnagar, A., Bolli, R., Hong, K.U. Solving the Dilemma of Limited Differentiation of c-kit+ Human Cardiac Stem Cells Used in Heart Repair. Ohio Valley Society of Toxicology Meeting, Dayton, OH; 2014, September 26.
- Overexpression Facilitates Differentiation of Human Cardiac Stem Cells. Second annual meeting of Kentucky Chapter of the American Physiology Society, Louisville, KY; 2014, September 24.
- Cardiovascular Sciences, Las Vegas, NV; 2013, July 22-25.
- Cooper, C., Moktar, A. (2024, October). Empathy is art and science: Using the right tools [Conference presentation]. Physician Assistant Education Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., United States.
Additional Affiliations
- Newsletter Editor / Local Arrangement Chair, Kentuckiana Cytology Society: 2002 – 2004
- American Society for Cytopathology: 2002 – 2003
- American Society for Cytotechnology: 2001 – 2002
- Golden Key National Honor Society: 1999 – Present
- AED Pre-medical Honor Society: 1999 – 2001
- Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society: 1999 – 2001