Helena Safavi-Hemami is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, the Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, and the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah, USA. Her research explores the chemical ecology, evolution, and biomedical potential of venoms, with a particular focus on neuropeptide and hormone mimics that modulate cell signaling. By integrating peptide discovery and biochemistry, structural biology, and pharmacology, her lab aims to uncover new principles of molecular mimicry and translate them into therapeutic opportunities. She has co-founded two biotechnology companies that develop venom- and peptide-inspired drug leads, bridging basic discovery with translational applications.