Mason PhD alum leads breakthroughs in cancer research
Soukaina Amniouel BCB’20, BCB‘24, a George Mason University alumna and researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeks to advance precision medicine through computational biology.
Amniouel’s academic journey began with a deep interest in artificial intelligence within the healthcare sector, driven by personal motivation. Her uncle’s passing from cancer sparked a desire to find solutions for devastating diseases like cancer. Although AI was not widely applied in healthcare when she started her studies, Amniouel recognized its potential to drive meaningful advancements, especially in addressing complex challenges like cancer. "For me, I didn't want to just do research to get a degree. I wanted to do something I love and make a meaningful contribution, even if it was small," she explained.
She chose George Mason for its diversity and inclusivity, finding it to be a welcoming and supportive environment where she could pursue a quality education. "When I came here, I sometimes forget that I'm not in Morocco because people are very welcoming and genuinely interested in learning about different cultures," she said.
Amniouel was an active member of George Mason's academic community. She frequently presented her research and connected with fellow scholars at conferences and workshops, embracing a collaborative mindset towards research and discovery. "Collaboration is key to scientific progress," she said. "Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, all striving to expand the frontiers of knowledge, is incredibly motivating."
During her PhD studies under the mentorship of Saleet Jafri, Amniouel focused on cancer research, using artificial intelligence to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy for complex solid tumors. Her project aimed to identify biomarkers that could improve the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs, addressing the critical challenge that such treatments are effective in only 30 to 50% of cases. “AI is a powerful tool,” she explained. “It allows us to detect biomarkers that can significantly increase the sensitivity of drugs like chemotherapy, offering hope for more targeted and effective treatments. Knowing the limited success rate of chemotherapy drives me to find solutions that can make a tangible difference in patients’ lives.” The significance of her research has resulted in a patent, highlighting its potential to drive innovation in cancer treatment.
Her outstanding contributions to bioinformatics and computational biology brought her the distinguished National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellowship Award. This honor emphasizes her innovative research approach and ability to produce ground-breaking ideas enhancing the quality of life for people affected by rare degenerative diseases. Amniouel attributes much of her academic growth to the invaluable mentorship she received at George Mason University. Notably, she acknowledges the guidance of Iosif Vaisman, director of School of System Biology; M. Saleet Jafri, director of the interdisciplinary program in neuroscience; and Melissa Hayes, director of graduate programs in the College of Science. Amniouel expressed deep gratitude to their support, emphasizing that their mentorship not only provided her with the confidence and encouragement she needed to push her limits and embrace new challenges, but also played a pivotal role in shaping her educational development.
Amniouel advises students to stay connected with their department and explore the research opportunities available. She encouraged students to seek out roles like Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), positions that provide valuable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the research in the field. Reflecting on her own time at Mason, Amniouel noted that her roles as both a TA and RA were pivotal in shaping her academic journey and prepared her for the next steps in her career.
Looking ahead, Amniouel intends to use computational biology and bioinformatics for biomarker development and target identification in complex diseases. Her work focuses on advancing precision medicine by identifying targets that can guide tailored therapies, ultimately improving patients' outcomes and quality of life. As her research progresses, the potential for breakthroughs in understanding and treating complex diseases continues to grow. Amniouel's commitment to scientific innovation, collaboration, and mentorship positions her to make significant contributions to the field and the broader health sciences community.
