Associate scientest, King Faisal specialist hospital and research center, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi is a seasoned researcher with over 20 years of experience in biomedicine, focusing on cancer biology, immunology, and disease mechanisms. Based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she is a key member of the Molecular Biomedicine Research Department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Her work spans diverse fields, including inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular research. Notably, in 2023, she contributed to a groundbreaking experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting her ability to conduct research in extreme environments. Dr. Al-Ahmadi has demonstrated leadership through her work as an educator, mentoring students at various academic levels. Her contributions continue to push the boundaries of biomedicine, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies and personalized medicine approaches.
Profile
Education
Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi holds a Ph.D. in Bioscience from Cardiff University (2015–2019), where she focused on cancer and immunology research. She also earned a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from King Saud University (1994–1998). Her academic journey has equipped her with advanced expertise in molecular biology, cancer research, and biomedical sciences. Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s educational foundation is complemented by her extensive hands-on experience in laboratory settings, which has enabled her to contribute to numerous pioneering studies. Through her formal education and continuous professional development, she has maintained a passion for unraveling disease mechanisms and enhancing health outcomes through scientific innovation.
Experience
Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s career spans over two decades in the field of biomedicine. She currently serves as an Associate Scientist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, where she leads advanced research projects in cancer biology and immunology. Prior to this, she was a Post-doctoral Fellow (2020–2023), focusing on cancer and inflammatory disease mechanisms. Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s experience includes roles as a Research Assistant (2007–2015) and a Research Technician (2002–2006), where she was deeply involved in cancer research and molecular biology assays. She has also mentored Ph.D., master’s, and undergraduate students throughout her career. Her research has had significant impact both in clinical settings and in experimental fields, including innovative studies aboard the ISS in 2023, demonstrating her versatility in different research environments.
Research Focus
Dr. Wijdan Al-Ahmadi’s research is focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of diseases, particularly cancer, inflammatory disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. She is dedicated to uncovering how specific genetic mutations and signaling pathways contribute to disease progression, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for better patient outcomes. Dr. Al-Ahmadi’s work in space science is also notable, having contributed to microgravity research aboard the ISS, exploring how human physiology and disease processes respond in space. Her findings not only have applications for space health but also provide critical insights that can benefit human health on Earth. She is driven by the potential of personalized medicine and therapeutic interventions that address the root causes of disease.
Publication Top Notes
- Pro-atherogenic actions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 serine 727 phosphorylation in LDL receptor deficient mice via modulation of plaque inflammation. 🧬🔬
- Protective effects of a unique combination of nutritionally active ingredients on risk factors and gene expression associated with atherosclerosis in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. 🥗🧪
- Posttranscriptional control of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression in cancer cells. 🧑🔬🦠
- miR-29a inhibition normalizes HuR over-expression and aberrant AU-rich mRNA stability in invasive cancer. 🧬💡
- The RNA-binding zinc-finger protein tristetraprolin regulates AU-rich mRNAs involved in breast cancer-related processes. 🔬💥
- Alternative polyadenylation variants of the RNA binding protein, HuR: abundance, role of AU-rich elements and auto-Regulation. 🧬📊
- Cloning-free regulated monitoring of reporter and gene expression. 🧬🧑🔬
- RNase L downmodulation of the RNA-binding protein, HuR, and cellular growth. 🔬🧑🔬
- Bioinformatics and experimental derivation of an efficient hybrid 3′ untranslated region and use in expression active linear DNA with minimum poly(A) region. 💻🧬
- Expedient liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection for montelukast sodium in micro-samples of plasma. 🧪💉