In the STEMD lab,  I  channel  my research focus towards understanding the role of genetic overdosage in a multitude of physiological conditions. Specifically, I delve into investigating the repercussions on infertility, metabolic disorders, intellectual disabilities, osteoporosis, and cancer. I employ meticulously designed in vivo models of Klinefelter syndrome to conduct my  investigations, aiming to unravel the intricate gene-to-phenotype correlations and to identify the underlying transcriptional and epigenetic signatures that contribute to the manifestation of these human diseases. 

1) Maria Gracia-Hernandez, Ashutosh S. Yende, Nithya Gajendran, Zubaydah Alahmadi, Xintang Li, Zuleima Munoz, Karen Tan, Satish Noonepalle, Maho Shibata, Alejandro Villagra. Targeting HDAC6 improves anti-CD47 immunotherapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 43, 60 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-02982-4

2) Nithya Gajendran; Maria Gracia Hernandez; Ashutosh Yende; Zubaydah Alahmadi; Xintang Li; Zuleima Munoz; Manasa Suresh; David Quiceno; Karen Tan; Maho Shibata; Satish Noonepalle; Alejandro Villagra. Abstract 666: Targeting the CD47/SIRPα “Do not eat me” phagocytic pathway in macrophages to improve anti-CD47 immune therapy. Cancer Res (2023) 83 (7_Supplement): 666. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.AM2023-666

• 2023 -present - PhD,  Bioscience, BESE, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia
• 2020-2022 : MS in Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry, George Washington University, USA
• 2010- 2015 : B.S. in Chemistry,  Taibah University, KSA

My  journey in scientific research began as an undergraduate researcher at Taibah University, where I synthesized and analyzed novel thio-1,2,4-triazole derivatives and screened them for their anti-fungal and anti-proliferative activity.

Then,  I  moved to the United States and joined Professor Alejandro Villagra’s lab as a graduate researcher at GW Cancer Center. Here, I showcased my  analytical prowess by investigating the role of Histone deacetylase inhibitors in the phagocytosis capacity and the Alteration of CD47/SIRPa Pathway in multiple human melanoma cell lines and monocytes derived macrophages.

Additionally,  I served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Chemistry Department at GWU, where I imparted my knowledge in Organic Chemistry I lab and Medicinal Chemistry to undergraduate students.

After my graduation, I  moved on to serve as a Senior Research Assistant at The Li Lab in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine at GWU. In this role, I investigated the mechanistic role of tumor DDR1 in the progress of Breast Cancer using CRISPR-Cas9; I oversaw the care and management of mice colonies and contributed to animal procedures. Moreover, I took on administrative responsibilities including, but not limited to, inventory and SAP budget management.

Summary:

2022 – 2023: Senior Research Assistant, The Li Lab, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, USA

2021-2022: Graduate Teaching assistant, Department of Chemistry, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

2020 – 2022: Graduate Researcher, Immunotherapy Laboratory, GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, USA                                

Awarded a Graduate Assistantship in the Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, USA 2021

Honored and recognized as the top student for demonstrating an exceptional performance, Taibah University, KSA 2015

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)