Dr. Andisheh Dadashi

Education / Degrees

• Ph.D., Computer Science, The University of New Mexico (2024)
• M.Sc., Statistics, The University of New Mexico (2016)
• M.Sc., Mathematical Statistics, University of Pune, India (2012)
• B.Sc., Mathematics and Statistics, University of Mazandaran, Iran (2009)

Biography

Dr. Andisheh Dadashi is an Associate Professor of Computer Science, Statistics, and Mathematics in the Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science (MECS) Division at the University of New Mexico–Valencia (UNM–VA). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Iran, a Master’s in Statistical Mathematics from India, and a second Master’s in Statistics from the University of New Mexico (UNM).

She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from UNM Main, where she also serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, working in Dr. Davorka Gulisija’s lab on computational biology.

Dr. Dadashi began her teaching career as a Visiting Lecturer II at UNM–Gallup (UNM–GA), where she collaborated with the Critical Technology Studies Program (CTSP) to recruit and mentor students in research related to critical technology and national security. She has since developed and taught cross-listed data science courses across UNM’s main and branch campuses.

Her research focuses on developing theoretical frameworks, computational methods, and statistical tools to study rapid polygenic adaptation, how complex traits evolve in response to changing environments. This work plays a key role in understanding how organisms adapt to climate change.

In recognition of her inclusive teaching, innovative curriculum design, and effective instructional communication, Dr. Dadashi received the 2024–2025 UNM Teaching Excellence Award, jointly sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Honors College, as the UNM Branch Campus Teacher of the Year, as well as the 2025–2026 UNM Teaching Excellence Award for Open Communication and Assessment, which honors exemplary instructional communication practices and meaningful assessment strategies that positively impact student learning. These university-wide awards reflect her commitment to accessible, interdisciplinary STEM education.

Honors and Awards

Recipient of the 2024–2025 UNM Teaching Excellence Award (Branch Campus Teacher of the Year), recognizing outstanding teaching, student engagement, and commitment to educational equity.

Recipient of the 2025–2026 UNM Teaching Excellence Award for Open Communication and Assessment, honoring exemplary instructional communication practices and meaningful assessment strategies that positively impact student learning.

Selected Publications

Dadashi, Andisheh, and Derek Martinez. "Flux Balance Network Expansion Predicts Stage-Specific Human Peri-Implantation Embryo Metabolism." Journal of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (August 2022).

Featured in an episode titled "Unraveling the Mysteries of Human Embryo Metabolism: Insights from Computational Models" on SciPod Audio Book (August 2024)

Academic Appointments / Affiliations

• University of New Mexico–Valencia Campus — Faculty (Computer Science, Statistics, & Mathematics)
• University of New Mexico–Main Campus — Visiting/Research Appointment; Department of Biology, Gulisija Lab (Computational Genetics/Evolution)